Trans-America Trail — Clifton to Quemado via the Mogollon Rim and Apache Creek Divide
Mogollon Rim backcountry at its most honest.
This TAT segment runs northwest from Clifton, Arizona, crossing into New Mexico through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and up onto the high plateau country around Apache Creek before dropping toward Quemado on the edge of the Plains of San Agustin. The elevation change is significant — you leave the hot Gila River desert floor and climb through ponderosa pine and pinon-juniper into genuine high-country terrain. Forest roads here are maintained irregularly; expect rocky two-track, loose shale ledges on the steeper pitches, and sections of deep clay that go greasy fast after rain. The route crosses several unnamed washes and skirts the edge of the Blue Range Primitive Area — one of the most intact wilderness corridors in the American Southwest.
Rated Difficult. A stock 4WD with decent clearance will manage in dry conditions, but a lifted rig with all-terrain tyres handles this segment with far more confidence, especially on the muddy clay stretches near the rim. This section of the TAT is genuinely remote — cell service is non-existent for most of the run, and fuel planning matters. Fill up in Clifton before you leave; the next reliable pump is Quemado, 150+ miles away. Best season is May through October, avoiding monsoon mud windows in July and August if possible. Dispersed camping is available throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves. Bring your own water — springs are unreliable and need treatment.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 148 mi / 238 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8760 ft |
| Best season | May-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Clifton, AZ |
| Land manager | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Apache-Sitgreaves NF official site Apache-Sitgreaves MVUM |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this stretch of the TAT without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range will get through under normal conditions, but expect rocky shelf roads and loose descents that will stress your skid plates and sidewalls. All-terrain tires are the minimum — mud-terrains preferred. If your rig sits low or you're running street tires, skip it.
When is this section of the TAT actually passable — and when does snow or monsoon shut it down?
May–June and September–October are the sweet spots. Monsoon season (July–August) turns clay sections into axle-deep mud and flash-floods water crossings fast. Winter closes higher forest roads through snowpack, often into April. Check Apache-Sitgreaves road conditions before you go — conditions change without notice.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is legal within Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest under standard 14-day limits, 300 feet from water sources and roads. No fees. Campfire restrictions vary by fire danger level — check current restrictions at fs.usda.gov/asnf before you light anything.
What's the hardest section on this stretch and what makes it technical?
The climb and descent around the Apache Creek Divide is the crux — steep, loose rock on shelf roads with limited room to recover if you slide. It's not the kind of technical that's fun if you're underprepared; it's the kind that bends rims and punches sidewalls. Aired-down tires, spotter if possible, and don't run it in a hurry.
How much fuel do I need to carry, and is there a realistic resupply point along the way?
148 miles of remote backcountry with no gas stations on-route. Clifton has fuel at the start; Quemado, NM has limited services at the end. Carry a minimum 5-gallon auxiliary supply — this terrain at low speeds drops fuel economy significantly. Don't count on anything in between.
Trail track
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