Trans-America Trail — Silver City to Reserve via the Mogollon Mountains and Gila Wilderness High Divide (New Mexico Segment)
Gila backcountry — Geronimo's highway.
This TAT segment out of Silver City climbs into the Black Range and Mogollon Mountains through the Gila National Forest, threading dirt roads and two-track across the Continental Divide with Gila Cliff Dwellings sitting off-route as a legitimate side trip worth every mile of detour. The route pushes through the Mogollon Baldy high country above 10,000 feet before dropping into the Reserve area via canyon-bottom roads that wash out fast after monsoon rains. Sam Cordes’ original TAT mapping cuts through sections here that even local ranchers don’t take often — you’ll find yourself genuinely route-finding on vague doubletrack through juniper and ponderosa.
This is a Moderate to Difficult segment depending on recent weather. A stock 4WD with decent clearance and all-terrain tyres will handle it in dry conditions, but the clay soils in the Black Range turn to axle-sucking grease the moment monsoons hit — typically July through September. Run this May through June or October for best odds. Fuel in Silver City, then nothing reliable until Reserve; carry extra. Cell service is non-existent for the majority of the route. What you earn: solitude, high-desert mountain riding, and the specific satisfaction of crossing the divide on dirt.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 118 mi / 190 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10200 ft |
| Best season | May-June, October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance with all-terrain tyres |
| Nearest town | Silver City, NM |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Gila National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Gila National Forest – USFS Trans-America Trail Official Site |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this segment without modifications?
A stock 4Runner or Wrangler with factory all-terrain tires can get through, but you'll be white-knuckling the rocky shelf roads and eroded switchbacks near the High Divide. Skid plates and at least 8–9 inches of clearance are strongly advised — a lifted rig with lockers makes this segment significantly less stressful.
When does this route typically open in spring, and is it passable in fall?
May through June is the sweet spot after snowmelt clears the 10,000-foot ridgelines but before monsoon season turns the creek crossings dangerous. October is solid for fall runs — cooler temps, lower water levels, and lighter traffic. Avoid July–August monsoon season; flash flooding in the Gila canyons is no joke.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp in the Gila National Forest on this route?
No permit is required to drive the route, and dispersed camping on Gila National Forest land is free under standard 14-day stay limits. Stay 200 feet from water sources and established roads — the Gila Wilderness boundary prohibits motorized vehicles, so keep your rig on designated forest roads.
What's the hardest section on this stretch and what makes it technical?
The High Divide tracks above Mogollon are the crux — narrow shelf roads with loose rock, serious exposure, and no room to pass oncoming traffic. Steep descents into canyon drainages can have deep ruts and embedded boulders that will catch low-slung sliders hard. One wrong line here doesn't just scratch paint; it puts you on your side with no cell signal and no quick help coming.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there anywhere to resupply between Silver City and Reserve?
Silver City to Reserve is roughly 118 miles of backcountry with zero fuel available on route — Mogollon is a ghost town, not a gas station. Fill up completely in Silver City before you leave and carry a minimum 5-gallon fuel reserve; Reserve, NM has a small fuel stop but don't count on its hours or supply.
Trail track
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