New Mexico · Hiking

Middle Mesa Trail #716

7.8 mi
round trip
1,173 ft
climb
7,514 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Middle Mesa Trail #716 open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Gila National Forest. It doesn't name Middle Mesa Trail #716, 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.

Middle Mesa Trail #716 is a hard out-and-back hike in the Wilderness Ranger District of Gila National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail runs about 15.6 miles round trip, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,173 feet, from a low point of 6,534 feet to a high of 7,514 feet. The trailhead is Middle Mesa Trailhead. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Winston, NM, show May highs around 79°F and October highs around 71°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about nine and ten a month. That station sits roughly 1,300 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Black Canyon Campground - Upper is about half a mile away, and Black Canyon Campground - Lower is about 0.7 miles off. The Tom Moore Canyon Trail #708 and the Black Canyon Trail #94 are also within a mile.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Middle Mesa Trail #716

    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, 24.7 mi away at 6,196 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Route details

Distance
7.8 mi round trip
Climbing
About 1,173 ft
Starts at
Middle Mesa Trailhead (about 7,434 ft)
Summit
7,509 ft
Difficulty
Hard

Questions about this route

How long is the Middle Mesa Trail #716 on Middle Mesa?

About 7.8 mi round trip from Middle Mesa Trailhead (about 7,434 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Middle Mesa Trail #716?

About 1,173 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Middle Mesa Trail #716?

It is rated hard.

Where does the Middle Mesa Trail #716 start?

Middle Mesa Trailhead (about 7,434 ft).

Conditions and forecast on Middle Mesa

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors