Mimbres River Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Samantha Fortney on Unsplash

Mimbres River Trail

~2 days · 11.4 mi · moderate · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance11.4 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain2,730 ft
Gain / mile239 ft
High point9,390 ft
Difficulty index23/100

What the Mimbres River Trail is known for

Trail #77 crosses the southwest corner of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness for 11.4 miles along the Mimbres River, from the CDST/Mimbres access to the Black Range Crest Trail junction; most parties hike it out-and-back.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Mimbres River Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 23,314 ft to 30,633 ft over 11.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 9.6 mi · 85%
  • Downhill 1.2 mi · 11%
  • Flat 0.6 mi · 5%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Mimbres River Trail?

23 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Mimbres River Trail scores 23/100, 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 Mimbres River Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Mimbres River Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 11.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Mimbres River Trail?

The Mimbres River Trail climbs roughly 2,730 ft total — about 239 ft per mile, topping out near 9,390 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.

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