New Mexico · Hiking

West Fork Shortcut

West Fork ShortcutPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.1 mi
round trip
32 ft
climb
5,735 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
best months

Is West Fork Shortcut open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Gila National Forest. It doesn't name West Fork Shortcut, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Gila National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

West Fork Shortcut is a short, easy hike in Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, managed by the National Park Service. It sits within the Wilderness Ranger District of Gila National Forest, about a mile from the monument's visitor center road. The trail is an out-and-back of about 1.1 miles, with a low point of 5,700 feet and a high of 5,735 feet. The climb is minimal, with only about 32 feet of elevation gain one way. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Gila Hot Springs weather station show April highs around 73°F and October highs around 75°F, while July and August bring the most wet days of the year. Several other trails start close by. Little Bear Canyon Trail #729 is about 0.7 miles away, and the Grand Enchantment Trail is about 0.8 miles away. Ee Canyon is about 1.1 miles away, and Forks Campground is about 4.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit West Fork Shortcut

    Best months: April–May and September–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

      57° / 17°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      60° / 22°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 25°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 30°

      2 wet

    5. May

      81° / 36°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 44°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 53°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 53°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      75° / 33°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      65° / 24°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      56° / 18°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gila Hot Springs, NM, 4 mi away at 5,636 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Grand Enchantment TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Grand Enchantment Trail

Next door

0.09-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 64 ft of elevation gain.

Little Bear Canyon Trail #729Photo: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Bear Canyon Trail #729

~1 min drive

3.95-mile out-and-back hike in Little Bear Canyon with 955 ft gain.

Big Bear Canyon Trail #28Photo: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Big Bear Canyon Trail #28

~3 min drive

6.99-mile out-and-back hike in Big Bear Canyon with 1,792 ft gain.

HIKE

Ring Canyon Trail

~9 min drive

9.26-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico with 2,312 ft gain and 7,857 ft max elevation.

Grand Enchantment TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Grand Enchantment Trail

~1 min drive

Ultra-short introductory walk in New Mexico's Grand Enchantment area.

Ee CanyonPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ee Canyon

~2 min drive

5.66-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,055 ft elevation gain.

Lilley ParkPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lilley Park

~3 min drive

50.40-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 4,034 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Grand Enchantment Trail

~2 min drive

Ultra-short scenic walk in New Mexico's enchanting high country.

Alum Camp TrailPhoto: maximalideal, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Alum Camp Trail

~11 min drive

2.48-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,266 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Brushy Mountain Trail #403

~10 min drive

7.26-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 958 ft gain