This trail, named from the Comanche Native Americans who, long ago, supplanted the Apache people that lived in this area, can be accessed from the Soapberry Spur (where there is a restroom!) or the equestrian area at the southern end of the park. It is typically red dirt packed with some rock underfoot in some areas and dotted with a sprinkling of cedars. Parts of the trail offer juicy views into the canyon below.
Table of Contents
Essential Gear
- 3L water minimum – more if creating a loop or doing in hotter temperatures
- Sunhat
- Rain jacket
- Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!
- 700 calories of food/snacks (minimum)
- Park map
- GPS navigation app with gpx file downloaded – I recommend Gaia
- Sunglasses
Hiking Lower Comanche Trail: 4.4 miles one way
Lower Comanche trail is well worth the time and moderate effort it requires to complete its 4.4 miles of flowing single track and is an excellent choice for anyone planning some kind of loop within the park.
Beginning of the fortress cliffs
This trail was fun and moderate for me on foot and would make a fun challenge for the moderately capable mountain biker. I imagine a rookie biker such as myself might find themselves hike-a-biking (and/or swearing) a touch more than desirable.
There are no restrooms on this trail, although the south end of the trail passes by the Mesquite Camp area, which does have restrooms. I hiked this trail in March moving from North to South. In the morning shade of the cliffs, I was a bit chilly, so consider a light jacket.
However, the trail is very exposed and when the sun rose in the afternoon, I was quite toasty and applied sunscreen more than once. Plan accordingly. No one wants to end their hike looking like a bright red tomato.
Accessing the Trail
Starting from the Upper Comanche trail or the Soapberry day use area, the trail quickly begins to gain just a bit of elevation. Along this section of trail there are a few interesting rock formations and a sprinkling of hoodoos.Â
While there is definite elevation gain as you climb the cliff walls, it is never sudden or steep. Even my bitch ass legs didn’t find it to be anything too strenuous, although I have no doubt that my husband would have complained (I love you, but you know it’s true).
Seeing the Sights Along Lower Comanche Trail
After a short bit the trail flattens out alongside the Fortress Cliffs. Even for the rock ignorant, these cliffs are pretty fucking cool.
I was fortunate in that I did not see anyone else on this trail. While the trail felt unfortunately civilized due to it offering views over the campsites, roads and buildings, I heartily enjoyed the solitude.
Past the Fortress Cliffs, the trail gains and loses elevation in a gentle, rolling fashion. About 1.5 miles into the hike (from the Upper Comanche Trail), there is a spring that runs across the path.
For folks who don’t like to get your feet wet if you can help it (myself included), it is a very narrow stream that is easy to daintily step across. Shortly after the first stream crossing there is another, smaller crossing.
 After 2.16 miles the trail intersects with Rock Garden trail, before continuing for another 1.9 miles. I did not continue on Lower Comanche at this point, electing to trot off on Rock Garden instead.
Easy spring crossing
Too Long: Didn’t Read;
The big advantage to this trail is that it runs basically parallel to Park Road 5, covering a good portion of the park’s Eastern flank. Hell, if you started at Upper Comanche and linked it with Lower Comanche, you could hike one entire side of the park!
This trail is fun, versatile and not overly traveled. For the hiker or biker, it’s definitely a would recommend from me.
Did you enjoy Lower Comanche Trail?