4.2 miles
Distance
530 ft
Climb
-701 ft
Descent
02:38:37
Avg time

Little Bear Details

  • Activities
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    Mountain Biking not recommended or allowed.
  • Riding Area
    Gila Wilderness
    Silver City, New Mexico
  • Ref Number
    #729
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular direction shown
  • Season
    Depends on snowfall. Some times it is accessible all year round.
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Land Owner
    USFS

This trail is one of the most popular because it has picturesque cliffs and slot canyon (close to the Middle Fork). If you want solitude, this is not the trail to choose. But the experience is well worth it. There is no water on the first 3+ miles of the trail; this section has little shade and is rocky. Bring adequate water and water purification if you plan to refill your water bottle in the creek.

This is the most popular way to cutoff the Middle Fork (Gila River) trail and continue up Middle Fork to see the cliff dwellings. Some people will also make this a loop with the downstream section of the ! Middle Fork. this loop requires a bit of road walking to complete the loop.

Expect to get your feet wet, with many creek crossing, especially if you continue up the Middle Fork where the water may be fairly deep.

Do not cross the Middle Fork if it is flooding or has the potential of flooding.

Access Info

Access this trail via TJ Corral Trailhead.

Directions From Silver City: Take NM-15 N/Pinos Altos Rd for 42 miles (roughly 1.5 hours). Turn left at Gila Cliff Dwellings sign. Proceed 0.6 miles to TJ Corral Trailhead. It is just after you pass Woody's Corral Trailhead and cross the bridge. If you see the Scorpion campgrounds, you have gone too far.

Disclaimer

Be aware of flash flooding potential in Little Bear slot canyon

Local Trail Association
More Stats for Little Bear multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -171 ft
  • Altitude min
    5,683 ft
  • Altitude max
    6,338 ft
  • Altitude start
    5,854 ft
  • Altitude end
    5,682 ft
  • Grade
    -0.8%
  • Grade max
    -33.2%
  • Grade min
    23.1%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    1,030 ft
  • Avg time
    02:38:37
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Mar 16, 2024
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      Directions to little-bear-496142 trailhead (33.271920, -108.259770)
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      Little Bear Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Mar 16, 2024 @ 12:19pm
      Mar 16, 2024
      		 reporter
      Jan 18, 2024 @ 11:18am
      Jan 18, 2024
      		 be slippery or muddy- - Take care!
      view all reports »

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      Feb 13, 2024 @ 11:31am
      Feb 13, 2024

      Routes with this trail

      titledistance
      Gila BCH: Little Bear to Lilley Park Loop38 miles
      CDT Alternate River Route34 miles

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      Gila Wilderness

      • By toddTF Pro Trailforks & contributors
      • #496142 - 473 views

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