New Mexico · Hiking

Grand Enchantment Trail

15.6 mi
round trip
2,929 ft
climb
7,308 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Grand Enchantment Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Magdalena Ranger District.

  • Magdalena Ranger District Bear Trap Campground Closure Order #03-03-03-26-01

    Agency alert covering Magdalena Ranger District · Order 03-03-03-26-01 · USFS · Magdalena Ranger District

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

The Grand Enchantment Trail is a 15.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Magdalena Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The route runs from a low point of about 6,058 feet to a high of about 7,308 feet, with a total elevation gain of roughly 2,929 feet. It is rated expert, so plan on a long, steep day. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Winston, which sits about 1,100 feet lower, show May highs near 79°F and October highs near 71°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, around 9 to 10 a month. Burma Road starts just 0.1 mile away, and Shipman is about 2.3 miles off. San Mateo and Maverick are each about 4.4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–May, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Grand Enchantment Trail

    Best months: April–May and August–October. 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

      53° / 20°

      2 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      57° / 23°

      2 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      64° / 27°

      2 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 34°

      1 wet

    5. May

      79° / 41°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      89° / 50°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 56°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 54°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 47°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 35°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 25°

      2 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 19°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Winston, NM, 15.1 mi away at 6,196 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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