New Mexico · Hiking

Three Gun Spring Trail

Three Gun Spring TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.9 mi
round trip
1,839 ft
climb
8,478 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Three Gun Spring Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Three Gun Spring Trail, 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

  • 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

  • Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-05 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

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

Three Gun Spring Trail is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail runs about 7.9 miles round trip, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,839 feet, taking you from a low point of 6,324 feet to a high of 8,478 feet. The trailhead is called Three Gun Springs Trailhead. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Sandia Park, about 10 miles away, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with July and August peaking near 83°F. That station sits roughly 1,400 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. The trail sits right beside a cluster of climbing areas and other hikes. Screaming Jihad and Crystal Ship and Glass House are climbing areas within a quarter mile, and the Three Gun Spring Arroyo Trail and Hawk Watch are hikes about 0.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Three Gun Spring Trail

    Best months: April–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

      44° / 19°

    2. Feb

      48° / 22°

    3. Mar

      55° / 26°

    4. Apr

      63° / 34°

    5. May

      73° / 41°

    6. Jun

      83° / 49°

    7. Jul

      83° / 53°

    8. Aug

      80° / 52°

    9. Sep

      77° / 46°

    10. Oct

      65° / 36°

    11. Nov

      54° / 24°

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sandia Park, NM, 10.3 mi away at 7,030 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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