BLM Designated CDT Route
in Southern New Mexico
Silver City
This is the sixth map for the Designated route for the CDT (Continental Divide Trail) between the Crazy Cook Monument on the Mexican border and Silver City, New Mexico. This map covers the trail from the Little Burro Mts to Silver City, NM.
The "trail" from Lordsburg through the Little Burro Mts to Silver City was a mixture of pack trail and jeep road over Jacks and Burro Peaks, then graded road and highway to Silver City. The trail intersection with NM SR 90 heading north reportedly crosses SR 90 and joins built trail on the north side of the road that leads to the Burro Campground. We missed this in 2006 - the trail crew had just finished building that section the day we got there and we didn't know it.
On this map, the yellow line is the designated CDT. As with all the pictures, if you want the "full-size" view, click on it.
The only water source for this section is Mud Spring - 18 miles from Silver City. All the water sources between the Mexican border and Mud Spring have been developed for cattle. Mud Spring is the first "natural" water source in 140 miles of trail. It fills a metal tank, so wasn't at all muddy. There was also a trickle of water in the streambed downstream from Mud Spring, but it may not be reliable. The spring is not on the main trail and it can be a bit confusing to find it because there are multiple ATV tracks in the area. There was a big stone cairn marking the right trail. We followed the most obvious side trail, and found it about 1/3 mile back - generally about 7 or 8 minutes walking time. At every trail junction, take the "high road."
There is supposedly a water source at the intersection of the Tyrone Mine Road and NM SR 90, but we saw no sign of it. If anyone finds it, please let us know. It might be possible to get water from the municipal building in Tyrone or from one of the houses along the way if you are desperate - there were no businesses along the highway that would be helpful to hikers until just before reaching Silver City.
Some hikers have bypassed the loop over Jacks Peak and Burro Peak and walked the highway into Silver City. They may have missed the climb, but they also missed a good water source - and a beautiful hike.
Created: Thurs, 1 Nov 2007
Revised: 15 Nov 2009
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Copyright © 2007-2009 Spirit Eagle
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