Cibola County Highpoint Trip Report
Mount Taylor (11,301 ft)
Date: June 15, 2003
Author: Walt O’Neil
From I-40 west of Albuquerque at Grants, take exit 85 and head north 0.9 mile.
Turn right on N.M. 117 after going over overpass. Go 0.6 mile and head north on
Sakelares Road toward golf course and New Mexico Women’s Penitentiary, go 1.7
miles to the end and turn right on NM 547. Go 10.4 miles to FR 193 and turn
right and head 5.1 miles to trailhead on good gravel road. Park in small
unmarked lot just before road junction.
A vertical trailhead sign for Trail 77 is across the road. Go half a mile on
trail and drop slightly into a draw and head left after crossing jeep road.
The climb is steady but not steep heading into open area. An excellent trail with 2
switchbacks takes you to the summit. The view is great; a large sign with a
register is at top. Surprised to find a 10-foot depression right next to summit.
Thoroughly enjoyed this hike -- weather was great.
On the way down I saw a pole about 15 feet from the trail, which marked the
junction of 4 sections -- only the second one I've seen (the other near the
Sarasota HP in Florida.)