MANZANO MOUNTAIN TRAIL

29-Mile Backpack

Description The Manzano Mountain Trail traverses the Manzano Mountains from the 4th of July Campground at the north to Pine Shadow Springs at the south. Constant elevation changes occur along the trail. The trail features mountain meadows, old cabin sites, varied vegetation and hiking along roads, well defined trails, overgrown and faint trails and trails along narrow ledges.

Difficulty Difficult

Comments A 3 or 4 day backpack through the Manzano Mountains that offers varied terrain and spectacular views of the surrounding area. The 4th of July Canyon is particularly beautiful when the leaves are turning (and also very popular). Water is available on the trail, but is scarce in some portions; plan carefully. Campsites exist along the trail in mountain meadow areas. Vehicular access to the trail exists near the mid-point at the Capilla Peak Lookout and Observatory.

To Earn
Feather Hike trail as a continuous backpack starting at either end of the trail.

Maps Cibola National Forest -- Manzano Mountain Wilderness. USGS Bosque Peak, Capilla Peak, Torreon

Trail Start at 4th of July Campground: Forest Service Trail 173 (1.1 mi.) -> Trail 79 (0.8 mi.) -> Trail 170 (21.6 mi.) -> Trail 170A (5.6 mi.) Pine Shadow Spring at Forest Road 422. Intermediate check points: Trail 174 (5.5 miles from start); Forest Road 245 (12.7); Trail 184 (15.3 mi.); Trail 189 (18.4 mi.); Trails 176/182 (18.8 mi.); Gallo Peak (19.2 mi.); Trail 89 (19.5 mi.); Trail 184 (20.3 mi.); Trail 190 (21.5 mi.); Trail 80 (22.6 mi.); Manzano Peak (23.5 mi.). (See map)

Elevation
Profile

Transportation
Requirements 4th of July Campground is reached by taking NM 337 and/or NM 55 to Tajique. From there, take Forest Road 55 about 7 miles to the Fourth of July campground. Pine Shadow Springs is reached from US 60. Turn north on Forest Road 422 and drive about 11 miles to the trailhead which is located at a parking area 500 yards west of the road. (FR 422 is 13 miles west of Mountainair on US 60 and 31 miles east of Belen via NM 47 and US 60.)

VEREDAS DE LAS MONTANAS SERIES
(Trails of the Mountains)

LODGE 66 TRAILS PROGRAM

EXIT TRAILS

Last updated: November 11, 1998

Description	The Manzano Mountain Trail traverses the Manzano Mountains from the 4th of July Campground at the north to Pine Shadow Springs at the south. Constant elevation changes occur along the trail. The trail features mountain meadows, old cabin sites, varied vegetation and hiking along roads, well defined trails, overgrown and faint trails and trails along narrow ledges.
Difficulty	Difficult
Comments	A 3 or 4 day backpack through the Manzano Mountains that offers varied terrain and spectacular views of the surrounding area. The 4th of July Canyon is particularly beautiful when the leaves are turning (and also very popular). Water is available on the trail, but is scarce in some portions; plan carefully. Campsites exist along the trail in mountain meadow areas. Vehicular access to the trail exists near the mid-point at the Capilla Peak Lookout and Observatory.
To Earn Feather	Hike trail as a continuous backpack starting at either end of the trail.
Maps	Cibola National Forest -- Manzano Mountain Wilderness. USGS Bosque Peak, Capilla Peak, Torreon
Trail	Start at 4th of July Campground: Forest Service Trail 173 (1.1 mi.) -> Trail 79 (0.8 mi.) -> Trail 170 (21.6 mi.) -> Trail 170A (5.6 mi.) Pine Shadow Spring at Forest Road 422. Intermediate check points: Trail 174 (5.5 miles from start); Forest Road 245 (12.7); Trail 184 (15.3 mi.); Trail 189 (18.4 mi.); Trails 176/182 (18.8 mi.); Gallo Peak (19.2 mi.); Trail 89 (19.5 mi.); Trail 184 (20.3 mi.); Trail 190 (21.5 mi.); Trail 80 (22.6 mi.); Manzano Peak (23.5 mi.). (See map)
Elevation Profile
Transportation Requirements	4th of July Campground is reached by taking NM 337 and/or NM 55 to Tajique. From there, take Forest Road 55 about 7 miles to the Fourth of July campground. Pine Shadow Springs is reached from US 60. Turn north on Forest Road 422 and drive about 11 miles to the trailhead which is located at a parking area 500 yards west of the road. (FR 422 is 13 miles west of Mountainair on US 60 and 31 miles east of Belen via NM 47 and US 60.)