Cibola County Highpoint Trip Report

Mount Taylor (11,312 ft)

Date: July 26, 2004
Author: John Garner

I found and used a new northern access to this hp that is considerably shorter than the normal route from Gooseberry Springs. That trail continues past the summit and you can pick it up from the La Mosca Lookout road about a mile away.

Directions

I-40 to Grants; exit 85; follow Bus. I-40 as it turns into Santa Fe Avenue (Old US 66). Turn right on First Street; go 1.0 mile; go right on Roosevelt, also signed SR-547. Shortly afterward, turn left on Lobo Canyon Road, following signs for SR-547. Follow this road up into mountains.

At 13.2 miles from Santa Fe Avenue, pass FR 193 on the right (the turnoff to the south approach). Continue north on SR 547, which turns to gravel. At 3.4 miles past FR 193 (or 16.6 miles from Santa Fe Ave), turn right on FR 453, signed La Mosca Lookout. At an unsigned T intersection 3.0 miles from SR 547, turn right and continue 1.4 miles to a junction at a saddle, where a large board discussing logging in the air is present. Turn right and go several hundred yards to signed Gooseberry Trail trailhead.

Hike

straightforward; follow well-built trail up to summit, passing an old road in a saddle along the way. At the summit, there is a sign showing the elevation but the only register I found was an empty first- aid box with writing on it. I left a copy of my topo with my name.

It was 1.5 miles round-trip, with 750 feet of elevation gain.

Notes

4WD or good high-clearance truck needed for the last mile of the La Mosca road. This hike is very nice leg-stretcher and warm-up if you're headed for northern NM or CO.