Arizona · Hiking

Hinkle

8.4 mi
round trip
1,711 ft
climb
7,448 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Hinkle open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It doesn't name Hinkle, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Hinkle is a hard hike in Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, within the Alpine Ranger District and the Blue Range Primitive Area. The trail is an out-and-back of about 8.4 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,711 feet, taking you from a low point of about 5,738 feet to a high of about 7,448 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced and open year-round. The route is rated hard, and it is not accessible. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. For a longer trip, plan on the full round-trip distance and the climb up to the high point. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically May and September, when typical averages from a nearby weather station at Luna, New Mexico, run to highs around 75°F and 79°F, with fewer wet days than the summer months. That station sits about 400 feet lower than the high point, so temperatures up high run cooler. Nearby, Lanphier and S Canyon are both hikes within about a mile and a half, and Blue Crossing Campground is about 1.7 miles away. The Blue River, a canoeing spot, is about 7.7 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Hinkle

    Best months: May–June and September. 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

      52° / 13°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      55° / 16°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    3. Mar

      61° / 19°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      67° / 25°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      75° / 30°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 37°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 48°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 47°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 39°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 27°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 18°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      52° / 13°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Luna Rs, NM, 17.8 mi away at 7,050 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.