Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway
The Trail of the Mountain Spirits Calls You

Departure: Silver City, New Mexico
Destination: Lake Roberts, New Mexico
Time to allow: 1 day

Take a journey of discovery into the Gila National Forest, pausing at overlooks to enjoy views of the rugged mountains and the diverse plant and animal life.

Day 1

  • Start: Silver City

    Since the days of the old west and Billy the Kid, Silver City has been big on adventure and hospitality. Walk around and see for yourself the welcoming atmosphere of this culture-filled city.

  • Stop 1: Wild Horse Mesa and Copperas Vista

    From previous stop: 40 minutes / 30 mi (48.0 km)
    Directions:

    From Silver City, go north on NM-15 for approximately 22 miles until you reach Wild Horse Mesa. Copperas Vista is located approximately 8 miles north of Wild Horse Mesa along NM-15.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours 30 minutes

    Wild Horse Mesa offers views of the Sapillo Valley floor and creek, the continental ridge and the Black Range to the southeast. Hike around for a few hours and see the diverse landscapes.

  • Stop 2: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

    From previous stop: 20 minutes / 15 mi (24.0 km)
    Directions:

    Leaving Copperas Vista, take NM-15 north until you reach the monument, located at the end of the road at Mile Marker 45.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Come to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and catch a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people of the Mogollon culture who lived in the Gila Wilderness from the 1280s through the early 1300s.

  • End: Lake Roberts

    From previous stop: 30 minutes / 24 mi (38.4 km)
    Directions:

    Go south on NM-15 from Mile Marker 45 for about 20 miles until you reach the junction of NM-15 and NM-35. Go east for four miles on NM-35 until you reach Lake Roberts.

    Make Lake Roberts your final stop. A pristine mountain lake, it is nestled in the pine-covered slopes of the nearby mountains. Relax and go boating or fishing, then watch the wildlife, which includes hundreds of bird species, mule deer, javalina, grey wolf, and mountain lion. If you're lucky, you can watch thousands of hummingbirds flow through the area feeding on the wildflowers on their annual migrations.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 69 miles / 110.4 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 4 hours 30 minutes