New Mexico · Hiking

Fence Line

5.1 mi
round trip
313 ft
climb
6,485 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Fence Line open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Silver City Ranger District. It doesn't name Fence Line, 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.

Fence Line is a 5.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Silver City Ranger District of Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 6,172 feet to about 6,485 feet, a climb of 313 feet, and is rated moderate. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Ft Bayard weather station, which sits a few hundred feet lower, show October highs around 74°F with lows near 47°F, and April highs around 73°F. Summer brings highs near 90°F and rain on about 13 days a month in July and August. The trail is natural-surface and open year-round. Bikes and horses are both allowed, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Twin Sisters Cr. is about half a mile away, and Sawmill Rd Nat Rec Trail and Waterhole are each about 0.9 miles off. Climbers can find the New Mexico, other Southern Areas climbing area roughly 10 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 Fence Line

    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, 1.3 mi away at 6,099 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.