New Mexico · Hiking

Little Bear Canyon Trail #729

Little Bear Canyon Trail #729Photo: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
4.0 mi
round trip
643 ft
climb
6,358 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Little Bear Canyon Trail #729 open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Gila National Forest. It doesn't name Little Bear Canyon Trail #729, 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.

Little Bear Canyon Trail #729 is a 3.95-mile moderate hike in the Wilderness Ranger District of Gila National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 5,725 feet to about 6,358 feet, with a total elevation gain of 643 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Gila Hot Springs weather station show April highs around 73°F and October highs around 75°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 12 and 13 a month. The Grand Enchantment Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Gila Cliff Dwelling Visitor Center Road and West Fork Shortcut are each about 0.7 mile off. Forks Campground, about 4.1 miles away, is the closest place to camp.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

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

    Best time to visit Little Bear Canyon Trail #729

    Best months: April–May and September–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

      57° / 17°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      60° / 22°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 25°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 30°

      2 wet

    5. May

      81° / 36°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 44°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 53°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 53°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      75° / 33°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      65° / 24°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      56° / 18°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gila Hot Springs, NM, 3.4 mi away at 5,636 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Grand Enchantment TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Grand Enchantment Trail

Next door

Ultra-short introductory walk in New Mexico's Grand Enchantment area.

Lilley ParkPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lilley Park

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50.40-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 4,034 ft elevation gain.

Cdt - Gila River AlternatePhoto: maximalideal, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cdt - Gila River Alternate

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Ring Canyon Trail

~10 min drive

9.26-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico with 2,312 ft gain and 7,857 ft max elevation.

Grand Enchantment TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Grand Enchantment Trail

~1 min drive

0.09-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 64 ft of elevation gain.

Big Bear Canyon Trail #28Photo: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Big Bear Canyon Trail #28

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Alum Camp TrailPhoto: maximalideal, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Alum Camp Trail

~10 min drive

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West Fork ShortcutPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

West Fork Shortcut

~1 min drive

West Fork Shortcut is a 1.06-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 238 ft of elevation gain.

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Brushy Mtn

~10 min drive

Moderate 7.28-mile out-and-back climb to Brushy Mountain in New Mexico.

Ee CanyonPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ee Canyon

~3 min drive

5.66-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,055 ft elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors