New Mexico · Hiking

Bear Scat

3.5 mi
round trip
639 ft
climb
7,549 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Bear Scat open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Bear Scat, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

  • Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 91 Casa Loma Road

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-14 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 69 Casa Loma Road

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-13 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Area Closure for Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-02 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Lifted

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-20 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-05 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

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

Bear Scat is a 7.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail climbs about 639 feet from a low point of 6,999 feet to a high of 7,549 feet, and it is rated moderate. The most comfortable months are typically late spring and early fall. At the Sandia Park weather station, about 12 miles away and roughly 500 feet lower, typical highs reach about 73°F in May and 77°F in September, with lows near 41°F and 46°F. Winter is cold, with typical January highs around 44°F and lows near 19°F. The Mahogany Trailhead/Camping Area is the trailhead. Mahogany Trail and Another Juan (Bites the Dust) both start within a quarter mile, and Rocky Top is about 1.2 miles away. Climbers can find Big Block about 2.4 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Bear Scat

    Best months: April–October. 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

      44° / 19°

    2. Feb

      48° / 22°

    3. Mar

      55° / 26°

    4. Apr

      63° / 34°

    5. May

      73° / 41°

    6. Jun

      83° / 49°

    7. Jul

      83° / 53°

    8. Aug

      80° / 52°

    9. Sep

      77° / 46°

    10. Oct

      65° / 36°

    11. Nov

      54° / 24°

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sandia Park, NM, 12.4 mi away at 7,030 ft. The station sits about 500 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.

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