Mount Franklin

Mount Franklin rises to 6,135 feet in Texas. The Mount Franklin Trail covers 7.0 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 1,578 feet of elevation gain — gentle grades, but the mileage is what makes it a Hard outing.

The Route

Most of the climbing comes early — the first half of the route does the bulk of the work before the grade eases. The steepest stretch arrives around mile 1.26, gaining roughly 1,400 feet per mile — expect a slow, deliberate pace through here. From the trailhead at about 5,167 feet, the route tops out near 6,385 feet.

Getting There

The trailhead is at 31.87743, -106.49387 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 10 miles north of El Paso, Texas. Arrive early on weekends — trailhead lots at popular peaks fill quickly, and cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.

When to Go

October through April is the comfortable window here — summer temperatures at this elevation are dangerously hot, so if you must hike in summer, start at first light and carry more water than you think you need.

Know Before You Go

The Hard rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 3.0 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Looking to link objectives or plan a weekend? Nearby summits include Sugarloaf Mountain, South Franklin Mountain and Comanche Peak — each has its own guide on this site.