New Mexico · Hiking

Lost Lake Rim

11.4 mi
round trip
348 ft
climb
8,291 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Lost Lake Rim open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Mount Taylor Ranger District. It doesn't name Lost Lake Rim, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Lost Lake Rim is a hard hike of about 11.4 miles on the natural-surfaced trail in the Mount Taylor Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back, with the low point at about 8,051 feet and the high at about 8,291 feet, and it gains about 348 feet in elevation. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically May and September, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run around 70°F and 77°F, with lows near 34°F and 42°F. That station sits about 8 miles away at roughly 8,000 feet, so temperatures on the rim may run slightly cooler. Bikes are allowed on the trail. Several other hikes start close by, including Broken Nose and Smokin Handlebar, each about 0.8 miles away, and Quasimodo at about 0.9 miles. For an overnight stay, McGaffey Campground is about 3 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Lost Lake Rim

    Best months: May–September. 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

      44° / 12°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 15°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      53° / 22°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 27°

      4 wet

    5. May

      70° / 34°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 42°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 49°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 48°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 42°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      67° / 30°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 20°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 12°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM, 8 mi away at 8,000 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.