New Mexico · Hiking

Priest Canyon Road

10.1 mi
round trip
1,446 ft
climb
7,202 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Oct
best months

Priest Canyon Road is a 20-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico, starting and ending at the same point. The route rises from a low of about 5,774 feet to a high of about 7,202 feet, a climb of roughly 1,446 feet one way. The nearest town is Scholle, about a mile away. The most comfortable months for the trip are typically May and September. Typical averages from the nearby Mountainair weather station show May highs around 77°F and September highs around 79°F, with July and August bringing the most wet days. Several other trails lie within a short drive. The Mission Ruins Interpretive Trail is about 3.5 miles away, and the Smoke Trail and Smoke Rise Trail are each about 6 miles off. The Grand Enchantment Trail is roughly 7.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Priest Canyon Road

    Best months: March–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

      47° / 23°

      3 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      52° / 26°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 31°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      68° / 36°

      2 wet

    5. May

      77° / 44°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 54°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 59°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 58°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 51°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 41°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 29°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      46° / 22°

      3 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mountainair, NM, 11.5 mi away at 6,520 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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors