Getting Oriented
Mount Taylor sits in the San Mateo Mountains of west-central New Mexico, northeast of Grants and east of the town of San Mateo. Cibola National Forest's Mt. Taylor Ranger District (505-287-8833) manages the upper mountain. The peak rises roughly 4,000 feet above the surrounding plateau and is visible from Albuquerque on clear days. NM 547 (the paved approach from Grants) climbs to the trailhead area near the saddle on the north side of the peak.
Trail Overview
FR 453 climbs the north saddle of Mount Taylor for roughly 7.5 miles, branching off NM 547. The road ends at La Mosca Lookout, a fire lookout on a sub-summit, with the true Mount Taylor summit reached via a 1.4-mile foot trail. Surface conditions move from packed gravel near NM 547 through rocky and rutted segments higher up, with several pitches that demand careful tire placement. Wet conditions turn the clay-heavy upper sections slick. The road is officially open year-round, but snow regularly closes the upper saddle from December through March.
The parallel route up the mountain, FR 193, is the longer and gentler approach used by most casual visitors and the Gooseberry Springs Trailhead access. FR 453 is the rougher 4WD line.
Points of Interest
- La Mosca Lookout. A staffed fire lookout on a sub-summit at roughly 11,070 feet, with views across the Rio Grande Valley to the east and the Zuni Mountains to the south.
- Mount Taylor summit. 11,301 feet, accessed by foot trail from the road's end. Sacred to the Navajo, Acoma, Laguna, Hopi, and Zuni peoples.
- Volcanic geology. The peak is a dormant stratovolcano that erupted between roughly 3.3 and 1.5 million years ago. The lava flows visible across the surrounding plateau are part of the Mount Taylor volcanic field.
- Gooseberry Springs Trailhead. The standard hiking approach, accessed from FR 193's upper loop and connecting to the summit foot trail.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed on Cibola NF land along FR 453 and FR 193 in the lower forest. There are no developed USFS campgrounds on the mountain itself. Bluewater Lake State Park, off I-40 west of Grants, has full-service camping; Coal Mine Campground (USFS, fee) sits north of Grants on NM 547 and is the closest developed site. Standard 14-day Forest Service stay limits apply on dispersed sites.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Drive in dry conditions. Wet weather turns the upper clay sections slick and the road becomes much more demanding.
- Snow closes the upper saddle November through April most years. The Mt. Taylor Ranger District (505-287-8833) holds current status.
- Carry recovery gear. The rocky pitches above the saddle are the documented incident locations.
- Mount Taylor is a sacred peak to the Navajo, Acoma, Laguna, Hopi, and Zuni. Cultural protocol asks visitors not to disturb stones, plants, or summit cairns.
- Lightning is a real summer hazard. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast in the high country; plan to be off the summit by noon.
- The Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon (run, bike, ski, snowshoe), held in February, uses these roads. Check Cibola NF for race-day closures.
