Arizona · Hiking · Near Whetstone

Death Trap

3.1 mi
round trip
184 ft
climb
5,573 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Oct–May
best months

Is Death Trap open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra Vista Ranger District. It doesn't name Death Trap, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Sierra Vista Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Death Trap is a moderate hike of about 3 miles on the Sierra Vista Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 184 feet, starting at roughly 5,316 feet and reaching about 5,573 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Kartchner Caverns weather station show April highs around 75°F and October highs around 78°F, while June and July average in the low to mid 90s. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail. The closest neighbors are the Wild Cow hike about a mile away and Lobo Pass at about 2 miles. Climbers can find Swallow Wall and Celebrity Cave about 3 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Kartchner Caverns Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 7.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Bat Cave Café

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    O.K. Corral

    Museum

    Museum · 24 mi from Whetstone

    Livery and horse corral in Tombstone, Arizona (1879-1888)

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Whetstone

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Oct–May

    Best time to visit Death Trap

    Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      59° / 33°

    2. Feb

      62° / 35°

    3. Mar

      69° / 40°

    4. Apr

      75° / 45°

    5. May

      84° / 52°

    6. Jun

      94° / 61°

    7. Jul

      91° / 65°

    8. Aug

      89° / 64°

    9. Sep

      86° / 59°

    10. Oct

      78° / 50°

    11. Nov

      68° / 39°

    12. Dec

      59° / 34°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Kartchner Caverns, AZ, 6.9 mi away at 4,690 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.