Gila Middle Fork Trail
~4 days · 40.1 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Gila Middle Fork Trail is known for
Follows the Middle Fork of the Gila River through its canyon in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness, with dozens of river crossings between the Gila Cliff Dwellings area and the headwaters near Snow Lake. The full Forest Service trail #157 measures about 41 miles one-way; the mapped line understates distance because of the canyon's constant meanders. Point-to-point, typically 3-5 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 18,632 ft to 25,833 ft over 40.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 31.5 mi · 79%
- Downhill 0.6 mi · 1%
- Flat 7.8 mi · 20%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Gila Middle Fork Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Gila Middle Fork Trail scores 16/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Gila Middle Fork Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Gila Middle Fork Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 40.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Gila Middle Fork Trail?
The Gila Middle Fork Trail climbs roughly 3,363 ft total — about 84 ft per mile, topping out near 7,874 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.