New Mexico · Hiking

Continental Divide Trail

1.9 mi
round trip
350 ft
climb
6,896 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 is a short out-and-back hike on the Forest Service's Silver City Ranger District of the Gila National Forest. The route is about 3.8 miles long, with a 350-foot elevation gain that takes you from roughly 6,550 feet to about 6,900 feet. It is rated easy, and the trail is managed by the Forest Service. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring into fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Ft Bayard show May highs around 80°F and October highs around 74°F, while July and August bring the most wet days at about 13 each month. That station sits about 800 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. Several other trails lie within a few miles. Bear Mountain Road is about 2.3 miles away, Sunlight Trail about 2.9 miles, and 80 Mountain about 3.3 miles. The New Mexico, other Southern Areas climbing area is about 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, 11.3 mi away at 6,099 ft. The station sits about 800 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