Dead Horse Trail # 12

Dead Horse Trail #12 is a short out-and-back hike of about 1.6 miles in the Magdalena Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in northern New Mexico. The trail rises from a low point of about 7,360 feet to a high point of about 8,031 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 651 feet. It's an easy route that fits easily into a day on this part of the national forest, and the Forest Service manages the surrounding land. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Augustine, about 29 miles away and roughly 1,000 feet lower, show May highs near 72°F and September highs near 75°F, with July and August bringing more wet days. Several other trails sit close by. Mesa Trail #13 is about a mile away and Ryan Hill Trail (17) is about 1.1 miles away, with South Canyon at about 1.3 miles. Water Canyon Campground, about 2 miles off, offers a place to camp.