Guides/Overland routes/New Mexico
Overland route38 midifficulty: easy

Wall Lake Loop (Forest Roads 142 and 226)

RegionNew MexicoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Wall Lake Loop (Forest Roads 142 and 226) — overland route near Beaverhead, New Mexico, New Mexico
Joe Burgess / National Archives, via Wikimedia Commons
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
38mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Loop
Vehicle
High-clearance 2WD in dry conditions; 4WD after rain.
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the loop interior. Service is gone for the entire route.
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The Wall Lake Loop is a 38-mile graded forest-road circuit on Gila National Forest's Wilderness Ranger District, anchored by Wall Lake, a small earthen-dam reservoir on Diamond Creek. Forest Roads 142 and 226 form the loop, with FR 150 (North Star Mesa Road) serving as the eastern connector. The lake holds rainbow trout and a quiet USFS-developed campground, and the route through Diamond Park's high meadows is one of the most-traveled introductions to the Gila high country.

The road is graded throughout with no technical obstacles, suitable for high-clearance 2WD in dry conditions. The corridor sits at 7,500 to 8,500 feet, so spring snowmelt and summer monsoons govern the season. Beaverhead Work Center, the USFS interior outpost a few miles north, is the staging point for most drivers. The loop pairs easily with FR 150 and FR 159 for longer Gila high-country itineraries.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Mud after rain. The clay sections become impassable when wet. Wait for the surface to dry.
  • Winter snow. The loop closes from late December through April most years.
  • No services. No fuel, no certain water, and no cell service on the route.
  • Cattle on the road. Open-range grazing through summer and fall.
  • Lightning. Open meadows at 8,000 feet make the loop a poor place to ride out a thunderstorm.

Location

38 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 33.450, -107.930

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townBeaverhead, New Mexico
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/gila
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Approx. location33.450, -107.930

Getting there

Directions

From SR-59 (eastern entry). Take SR-59 west from I-25 (Truth or Consequences area) toward Winston and Beaverhead. Forest Road 150 leaves SR-59 at the Beaverhead area and runs south to the loop's eastern junctions.

From SR-35 (southern entry). Follow Forest Road 150 / North Star Mesa Road north from SR-35 near Mimbres about 60 miles to the loop's south side at FR 226 or FR 142.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The Wall Lake Loop sits in the Diamond Creek country east of the Gila Wilderness, on Gila NF's Wilderness Ranger District. The loop's high points are Wall Lake at the south end and Diamond Park's open meadows on the north. The northern connector is FR 150 (North Star Mesa Road) running into Beaverhead Work Center; the loop drops south on FR 142 and returns via FR 226.

Trail Overview

Thirty-eight miles loop, graded forest road. The route runs through Diamond Park, a wide grassland on Diamond Creek with seasonal cattle grazing, descends to Wall Lake at the loop's south end, and returns via FR 226. There are no technical obstacles. The grade is washboarded under heavy use; air down for comfort. Most drivers run the loop in three to four hours including a stop at the lake.

Points of Interest

  • Wall Lake. Small earthen-dam reservoir on Diamond Creek with rainbow trout, a USFS-developed campground, and a vault toilet. The dam was built in 1971 by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.
  • Diamond Park. Open grassland meadows along Diamond Creek with seasonal grazing. Elk and pronghorn are common at dawn and dusk.
  • Beaverhead Work Center. USFS interior administrative outpost on FR 150, a few miles north of the loop.
  • Continental Divide Trail. Crosses FR 150 between Beaverhead and the loop's northern connection.
  • Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Designated wilderness south of FR 226, named for the conservationist who championed Gila wilderness designation.

Where to Camp

Wall Lake Campground (USFS-developed) sits at the loop's southern end with primitive sites, a vault toilet, and no water. Dispersed camping is allowed on Gila NF land off the main road with the standard 14-day stay limit, and Diamond Park's meadows offer easy primitive sites. Beaverhead Campground (USFS-developed) at the work center adds another option.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Plan around the season. Snow closes the loop from late December through April; monsoon damage closes it intermittently in July and August.
  • Carry a fishing license if you plan to fish Wall Lake. New Mexico Game and Fish manages the lake.
  • Cattle on the road are routine through the Diamond Bar allotment. Drive at moderate speed.
  • No fuel, no cell service, and limited water on the loop. Carry your own.
  • The Wilderness Ranger District (575-536-2250) handles current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Wall Lake Loop (Forest Roads 142 and 226)?
Wall Lake Loop (Forest Roads 142 and 226) is rated easy. The route runs 38 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Wall Lake Loop (Forest Roads 142 and 226)?
High-clearance 2WD in dry conditions; 4WD after rain.
When is the best time to visit Wall Lake Loop (Forest Roads 142 and 226)?
The best months are May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Is there cell service at Wall Lake Loop (Forest Roads 142 and 226)?
None on the loop interior. Service is gone for the entire route.