Flying V Trail 706

Expansive views of the the Gila Wilderness while hiking through grassland and pinion/juniper. Travel from the mesa top to the Middle Fork of the Gila River.

The trail tread is standard single-track width or wider. It is rocky in sections.

Some of the grassy sections have trail markers to help lead the way when the grass is high.

Note that there is an outfitter trail at 1.3 miles in that is more prominent than the actual trail. This outfitter trail will take you to a totally different location so be sure not to follow it.

Access Info

From Silver City: Do not follow google maps. Take Highway 180 west out of Silver City to the junction with Highway 12. Turn right on Highway 12 to Reserve NM. At Reserve turn right on Highway 435, which turns into Forest Road 141. From here on out, follow signs to Snow Lake. Follow Forest Road 141 to Forest Road 159 (also Labeled Bursum Rd) where you will turn right (south). Do NOT turn off on the 153 road, which turns into forest road 180. Do NOT take a sharp left on to Loco Mtn road even if google maps tells you to. Stay on the main road until you come to a 3-way intersection.
Take the Snow Lake Rd (left), 6.1 miles, following sign to Snow Lake and Dipping Vat Campground. This road travels across a wide-open mesa top and then drop down into the valley. You will see snow lake and the campground to the south. There is a junction just before snow lake - turn left here. It is labeled Snow Lake rd with a green road sign.
You will travel on this road. In 4.2 miles, you will pass Areoplane Mesa Campground.
After passing the Aeroplane Mesa Campground, stay on the main road for about 1.3 miles. At this point there is a road on the right and a fallen hiker sign. Turn right (veer right since it is not a 90 degree turn.). Take this road 2 miles to the trailhead.

Disclaimer

Note that the forest service road to the trailhead requires high clearance vehicles and it can be slick/muddy during wet seasons.