New Mexico · Hiking

Big Tree

2.8 mi
round trip
177 ft
climb
6,684 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Big Tree open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Silver City Ranger District. It doesn't name Big Tree, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Big Tree is an easy out-and-back hike in the Silver City Ranger District of Gila National Forest in New Mexico, about 2.8 miles long with an elevation gain of 177 feet. The trail rises from a low point of about 6,495 feet to a high of about 6,684 feet, and it's a natural-surface route open year-round. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Ft Bayard weather station, about 3.5 miles away, show April and October highs near 73 and 74 degrees, with only about three or five wet days a month. Summer runs hotter and wetter, with July and August highs around 88 degrees and about 13 wet days each month. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail allows horses and bikes. Fs Nursery Rd. and Cornell Ranch are each about half a mile away, and Cameron Creek Basin is about 1.1 miles off. Climbers can look to the New Mexico, other Southern Areas climbing area, roughly 9.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jan–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Big Tree

    Best months: January–May and September–November. 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

      56° / 32°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      59° / 34°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 37°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 43°

      3 wet

    5. May

      80° / 50°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 60°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 64°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 63°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 58°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 47°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      63° / 37°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 30°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ft Bayard, NM, 3.5 mi away at 6,099 ft. The station sits about 600 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.