I think Mount Taylor would have been 17,000 ft. max before it collapsed. It also blew up in the style of Mt. St. Helens and the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona (which is a little wierd because the amphitheaters both open to the east). Just thought you'd like to know.
I recently visited Mt. Taylor and found that some of the driving milages off.
The length of the drive on NM547 to the turnoff for FR193 is approx 13.1 miles at which point there is a 4-way intersection that can be hard to make out in the dark.
After turning right onto FR193 ones drives approx 6 miles to find the neat trailhead. At 5 miles the road was rutted with deep potholes and I gave up looking for a trail head that was reported as being poorly marked and at "4-5" miles and I bushwhacked to the summit. As it turned out, the trail head is very clearly marked (for Gooseberry Spring Tr), with a small parking area that can easily accommodate 6-8 cars, and the trail is easy to follow. I descended via the trail, but I really enjoyed the bushwhack up and saw many interesting "things" that I would not have seen if I had found the trail.
Also, Grants is 72 miles west of Alburquergue on I40 according to the highway sign.
I am just pointing out these facts- not to be a pain in the ass, but for the sake of clarity for those who download your webpage.
There is an alternate, shorter route to the summit from FS 453 in a saddle on the north side of the mountain. It's a rather rough, narrow, and steep road, but it's an easy hike from the trailhead in the hairpin turn on the north side of the mountain, just before ascending to the La Mosca lookout. I don't know the exact distance but it felt like 1-1.5 miles one way. This is a nice route to use for a CDT hike of New Mexico.
A correction for the "Getting There" section... from Albuquerque, one travels WEST on I-40 to reach Grants (and eventually Mount Taylor)... not east as written.
Garon Coriz - Apr 14, 2005 2:34 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI think Mount Taylor would have been 17,000 ft. max before it collapsed. It also blew up in the style of Mt. St. Helens and the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona (which is a little wierd because the amphitheaters both open to the east). Just thought you'd like to know.
woodstrider - Oct 14, 2006 2:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Mount Taylor Gooseberry Trail #77I recently visited Mt. Taylor and found that some of the driving milages off.
The length of the drive on NM547 to the turnoff for FR193 is approx 13.1 miles at which point there is a 4-way intersection that can be hard to make out in the dark.
After turning right onto FR193 ones drives approx 6 miles to find the neat trailhead. At 5 miles the road was rutted with deep potholes and I gave up looking for a trail head that was reported as being poorly marked and at "4-5" miles and I bushwhacked to the summit. As it turned out, the trail head is very clearly marked (for Gooseberry Spring Tr), with a small parking area that can easily accommodate 6-8 cars, and the trail is easy to follow. I descended via the trail, but I really enjoyed the bushwhack up and saw many interesting "things" that I would not have seen if I had found the trail.
Also, Grants is 72 miles west of Alburquergue on I40 according to the highway sign.
I am just pointing out these facts- not to be a pain in the ass, but for the sake of clarity for those who download your webpage.
Six2 - Oct 29, 2007 3:04 am - Hasn't voted
Gooseberry Trail #77There is an alternate, shorter route to the summit from FS 453 in a saddle on the north side of the mountain. It's a rather rough, narrow, and steep road, but it's an easy hike from the trailhead in the hairpin turn on the north side of the mountain, just before ascending to the La Mosca lookout. I don't know the exact distance but it felt like 1-1.5 miles one way. This is a nice route to use for a CDT hike of New Mexico.
CMStinson - Mar 24, 2022 2:25 pm - Hasn't voted
west, not eastA correction for the "Getting There" section... from Albuquerque, one travels WEST on I-40 to reach Grants (and eventually Mount Taylor)... not east as written.