Silver Peak Trail at Chiricahua Mountains

more stats

5.0 miles

Distance

136 ft

Climb

-3,110 ft

Descent

02:25:00

Avg time

-2,974 ft

Altitude change

4,975 ft

Altitude min

8,006 ft

Altitude max

7,949 ft

Altitude start

4,974 ft

Altitude end

-11.3%

Grade

-73.5%

Grade max

63.7%

Grade min

1,568 ft

Distance climb

4 miles

Distance down

1,142 ft

Distance flat

02:25:00

Avg time

Silver Peak Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Chiricahua Mountains
Portal, Arizona
Ref Number

#280
Difficulty Rating

Black Diamond Rate
Voted Difficulty

Black Diamond (1 vote)
Local Popularity
90 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 100 in Trail Running
- 95 in Hiking
Trail Type

Singletrack
Direction

Both Directions
Climb Difficulty

Black Diamond
Physical Rating

Hard
Trail Visibility

Always easy to follow
Dogs Allowed

Yes
Land Owner

Coronado National Forest

Singletrack that climbs steadily from Cave Creek Road up to Silver Peak. The trail starts of mellow for the first mile with switchbacks that gently meander up the slope. They become rocky and technical near the top, and this continues as the trail contours around to the north side of the mountain. The best views are found around the top of the switchbacks including Cave Creek Canyon, The Fingers, and Mount Sceloporus.

As you get to the north side the trail continues to climb steadily but also becomes more difficult with rock water bars and several series of tight switchbacks. There is a nice shaded rest / view spot at 6,600ft (3.25 miles in). You reach the tree line at around 7,200ft as you approach the final series of switchbacks to the top.

While some maps show a trail going right to Silver Peak there is only a twisty, overgrown informal trail and the peak is actually indistinct and lacking views. Instead, head west up to the concrete remains of the Silver Peak lookout tower which burned down in 1992. This spot has better 360* views.

This trail is heavily used by hikers so be courteous.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Chiricahua Apache

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

0 rides

6 Months

0 rides

All

2 rides
Last: Apr 26, 2025

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

update trails status or condition

Silver Peak Trail Reports

status	date	description
	May 3, 2025 @ 12:48am May 3, 2025	One tree down higher up. A few sections where outside edge of trail is collapsing. Also a few short sections that are overgrown. Otherwise...
	Apr 14, 2024 @ 4:16am Apr 14, 2024	A couple of downed trees, but they are easy to step over. Otherwise the trail's fine.
	Sep 3, 2023 @ 7:07am Sep 3, 2023	2nd half of the trail is severely overgrown. A few areas the trail are eroding away and very slippery. Requires hike-a-bike for nearly half of it...