New Mexico · Hiking

Southern Crossing

2.5 mi
round trip
285 ft
climb
7,641 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 3 h ago

Is Southern Crossing open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Southern Crossing, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

  • Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 91 Casa Loma Road

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-14 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 69 Casa Loma Road

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-13 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Area Closure for Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-02 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Sandia Ranger District Road & Area Closure for National Forest Road 462 Maintenance

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-24 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Lifted

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-20 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

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

Southern Crossing is a 2.5-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico's Cibola National Forest, within the Sandia Ranger District. It's a moderate route that gains about 285 feet over its course, with the low point at 7,432 feet and the high at 7,641 feet. The trail is an out-and-back, so the 5-mile round trip is twice the distance of the one-way route. It's a short climb, with the elevation gain spread across the whole trip rather than concentrated in one section. Late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sandia Park, which sits about 600 feet lower, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F. At the top of the trail, temperatures run a bit cooler. Several other hikes start close by. Sofa King is about 0.2 miles away, and Deadman and Deadman Sidekick are each about 0.4 miles off. Climbers can find the Block Wall area about 2.8 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors