New Mexico · Hiking

Continental Divide Trail

7.4 mi
round trip
776 ft
climb
6,730 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Continental Divide Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Gila National Forest. It doesn't name Continental Divide Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Gila National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Continental Divide Trail in New Mexico's Gila National Forest runs as a roughly 15-mile out-and-back route in the Silver City Ranger District, managed by the Forest Service. The climb totals about 776 feet, and the trail rises from a low point of about 6,355 feet to a high of about 6,730 feet. It is a hard hike, so plan on a full day on the trail. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. At the nearby Ft Bayard weather station, typical highs run around 73°F in April and 74°F in October, and the station sits about 630 feet below the trail. Summer is hotter and wetter, with typical July highs near 88°F and about 13 wet days a month. Nearby, Bear Mountain Road lies about 1.7 miles away and 80 Mountain about 2.1 miles. The Mountain Loop Trail and Dragon Loop Trail #718 are each about 2.4 miles off.

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 Continental Divide Trail

    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, 10.5 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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors