The Ron Coleman Trail is an approximately 3.8 mile hike from
McKelligan Canyon to Smuggler's Pass via the ridgeline of the
Franklin Mountains. It requires some class 4 scrambling and the
endurance to gain around two thousand feet in elevation gain. The trail
is somewhat marked with rock cairns and some blue painted  blobs
along it's entirety but has some side trails that can be slightly
confusing. As long as you are headed north, there should be no
problems with navigation. The only drawback is that it is within the
state park system and in a fee area. I think the current fee is $4.
Since you will need two vehicles, one for either end, the cost is
doubled.

Park one vehicle at the gravel parking lot at Smuggler's pass on loop
375. ( see pics at right)
Pay the fees for the vehicle and
leave it. Proceed to McKelligan
Canyon and park near the
trailhead furthest to the rear of
the park. (See below)

                                                


                                              From this trail you gain the ridgeline,
                                              following it through a series of switch  
                                               backs and one small climb ( below)
                                                  



 It goes past the telecommunications
 towers, down into a west valley and
 terminates once you pass Elephant
 Rock. ( pics below)



























 The end of the trail leads you directly to the parking area on loop
375 and one simply drive back to the canyon for the other vehicle.
NM CLIMBER.COM
RON COLEMAN TRAIL