Gila National Forest

Access Points:

Hwy 59- From Truth or Consequences, NM travel north 8 miles on US Hwy 85 to NM 52, travel west on NM 52, 37 miles to NM 59. Travel 13 miles on NM 59 through the Wildhorse Canyon past Sawmill Peak. The CDT crosses the highway at mile 13. From this point hikers can travel south and north on designated CDT through the Gila National Forest.

Rocky Canyon Campground- From San Lorenzo, NM travel north 14.5 miles on NM 31 to NM 61. Travel northeast 13 miles on North Star Road/NM 31 to Rocky Canyon Campground. From this point hikers can travel West/SW along the Rocky Canyon Trail 26.03 miles to Pinos Altos, NM along NM 35. Hikers can also travel northeast from Rocky Canyon into the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. The CDT travels through the Aldo Leopold Wilderness form approximately 22 miles.

Pinos Altos: Travel north from Silver City on State Highway 15 for approximately 14 miles. The trailhead is located on the west side of the road and is identified by a sign.
Trailhead parking for approximately two vehicles is located on the west side of the highway. Additional parking is available 200 yards north at the junction of Hwy. 15 and Forest Road 154.

Sapillo Campground: Take NM 35 north from Mimbres. At the sign, turn left. Follow the main dirt road; there are several smaller side roads which you do not want. At a Y, there is a sign with an arrow pointing right. Take the right branch. The campground is only a little further. The campground and CDT trailhead are on the south side of NM 35 and is primarily used when one is heading south toward Pinos Altos but the Trail heads north from here into the Gila Wilderness, as well and can be access right off of NM 35 at a small trail crossing near the campground.

BLM’s Soccorro Field Office—Pelona Mountains and Catron County

Access Points:

Forest Road 28: From Reserve, NM follow NM 12 east toward Old Horse Springs, after approximately 35 miles turn left on to Forest Road 28. The CDT intersects FR 28 in approximately 20 miles just north of Coyote Peak.

State Hwy 163: From Datil, follow US 60 east to NM 52. Turn south on to NM 52. Bear right at the intersection with NM 163. From here the CDT intersection is approximately 14 miles away near the Adobe Ranch Road and NM 163 junction.

Access Points:
Zuni-Acoma Trail- From Grants, NM travel south on I-40 to Exit 89-NM 117. Travel south 14 miles on NM 117. From this point CDT hikers follow the Zuni-Acoma Trail 15 miles to its intersection with NM 53.
Chain of Craters- From Grants, NM travel south 23 miles on NM 53 towards the El Malpais Information Center. At mile 23 travel south on NM 42 towards Cerro Bandera. From this point, hikers can travel south through the Chain of Craters area for 18 miles.

Significant Features:

Chain of Craters BLM Wilderness Study Area

Cibola National Forest

Access Point:

Lobo Canyon TH: From Grants, follow NM 547 approximately 6 miles into Grants Canyon. The trailhead is on your right as you enter the forest boundary.

BLM’s Albuquerque Field Office:

Access Points:

Piedra Lumbre Road: From Cuba take US 550 south approximately 22 miles to County Road 279. Turn right (west) on to CR 279 and follow it for approximately 9 miles to the turn off for the Torreon Road. Turn right on to the Torreon Road and follow it for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with the CDT.

Torreon Road: From Cuba take US 550 south approximately 22 miles to County Road 279. Turn right (west) on to CR 279 and follow it for approximately 14.5 miles to the turn off for the Piedra Lumbre Road/BLM 1102. Turn right on to BLM 1102 and follow it for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with the CDT.

Ojo De Los Indios: From Grants follow the Lobo Canyon Road/ Forest Road 239 through the Cibola National Forest for approximately 50 miles. The CDT breaks away to the north near the Ojo De Los Indios spring.

Santa Fe National Forest

Access Points:

Skull Bridge and Ojitos Canyon: From Abiquiu, NM- located on US Hwy 84, travel north 16 miles, turn west on Road 151, travel 7 miles along a “cherry stem” into the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. The CDT crosses the Chama River at Skull Bridge. From this point, hikers can travel south through Ojitos Canyon on designated CDT. Hikers Note: Soon new trail will be constructed north of Skull Bridge to connect with the northern rim of the Canyon and the Carson National Forest.

Hwy 96: From Coyote, follow NM 96 west approximately 7 miles to an intersection with CDT. CDT breaks off from both the north (toward the Chama River Canyon Wilderness) and the south (toward the San Pedro Parks Wilderness)from here

Los Pinos TH: From Cuba, head north on US 550 and then turn right toward La Placita on Los Pinos County Road. Follow the Los Pinos County Road for approximately 4 miles to a dead end and the trailhead