Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 traverses 248 miles of the Gila National Forest, encompassing dramatic scenery across five of the Gila's six ranger districts.
It traverses 32 miles (one way) north-south through the Quemado Ranger District. It enters the Quemado Ranger District at Quemado North End Trailhead, passing east of Escondido Mountain and the Quemado Lake area, connects with Mangas Spur Trail #743 and Valle Tio Vinces Spur Trail #744, 0.8-mile west of Valle Tio Vinces Campground, and leaves the Quemado Ranger District when it passes Continental Divide - CDNST Trailhead.
Continuing south, the CDT traverses 45 miles (one way) north-south through the Reserve Ranger District. It enters the district at the Continental Divide - CDNST Trailhead on Highway 12, travels southeast past Eagle Peak, and exits the Gila National Forest north of O Bar O Mountain, crossing through BLM land before re-entering the Gila National Forest on the Black Range Ranger District.
Within the Black Range Ranger District, it traces the Continental Divide for 55 miles from the northern end of the Black Range through the north end of Aldo Leopold Wilderness, following along the crest of the Black Range.
The Wilderness Ranger District includes 36 miles of the CDT, beginning in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness where the trail drops to the west into Black Canyon, off of the continental divide in the Black Range. Trail #73 passes through Black Canyon and Aspen Canyon, then climbs to Rocky Point Trailhead and crosses Forest Road 150 (North Star Road). West of North Star Road, Trail #74 stays on the ridge north of Rocky Canyon, enters the Gila Wilderness and drops into Rocky Canyon and follows it to New Mexico Highway 36 at Sapillo Group Campground. Continuing south from Sapillo, Trail #74 enters the Silver City Ranger District.
The Silver City Ranger District includes 86 miles of Trail #74, including 80 miles from Sapillo CDNST Trailhead to edge of the forest on Bear Mountain Road, and through the Burro Mountains. The Silver City Ranger District includes some of the most accessible segments of Trail #74 through the Gila, with numerous trailheads and access points.
Portions of this trail are located within the Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Gila Wilderness, so please remember to follow all wilderness ethics guidelines. Make sure to Leave No Trace.
Northernmost trailhead on the Gila National Forest for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest).
Trailhead for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest.
Access at the end of Forest Road 3077 Govina Canyon Rd. to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest).
Trailhead on Forest Road 94 - Cox Canyon Road for access to Divide Trail #15 and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest.
Trailhead on County Road B-054 (Bursum Rd.) to access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Trailhead for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest.
Parking area on Forest Road 226A Lookout Mountain Rd. to access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest).
Trailhead for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest
Trailhead located along Forest Road 150 (North Star Rd.) roughly 2.5 miles north of Rocky Canyon Campground to access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #7
Trailhead for the 4 mile long Continental Divide National Scenic Trail - Mimbres Access Trail #153 providing access to the Mimbres Trail #77 (roughly 0.6 mil
Trailhead at Sapillo Group Campground for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest).
Trailhead on the west side of New Mexico Highway 15, between mile markers 14 and 15, for Signal Peak Trail #742 (across the road from the trailhead) and for Tadpole Ridge T
Trailhead for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest.
The Arrastra Interpretive Site, on the Silver City Ranger District, is located adjacent to NM Hwy 15.
Trailhead located just to the northwest of Pinos Altos, New Mexico on the Silver City Ranger District located on the east side of Bear Creek Road (Grant
Trailhead on Little Walnut Road, north of the Little Walnut-Gomez Peak Day Use Area, for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74 on the Gila
Trailhead located in the Big Burro Mountains portion of the Silver City Ranger District located on the north side of Redrock Road (Grant County CMR 4-24) to access the
Trailhead to access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest) in the Big Burro Mountains area of the Silver City Ranger Dist
Access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest) on the west side of New Mexico Highway 90 in the Burro Mountains near Jack's
Trailhead for access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 on the Gila National Forest