| Aeroplane Mesa Campground | |||
| Equestrian Trail Information | |||
|
Forest Valleys Mountains |
   
25 miles of trails |
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Weather |
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| New Mexico Trails Main Page | |||
Aeroplane Mesa Campground
Gila National Forest
So
the story goes… Aeroplane Mesa was named after Claire Chennault, the
famous WW II Flying Tiger pilot, crashed his plane there. He and other
US Army mail service pilots would land on this remote mesa and hike down
to the Middle Fork to fish.
Regardless of the veracity of the story this is area for back country riders to access the Gila Wilderness.
The area is relatively open and 'park-like' with grass interspersed with trees. The campsite offers 4 first come first serve pipe horse corrals available and ample parking for horse trailers.
Riders can access the Gila Wilderness from the Trail #705. The trailhead for #705 is located at the campground. There are four corrals across the road from the campground with ample area for trailer parking.
Trail 705 descends the grassy, southern slopes of Loco Mountain and traverses Aeroplane Mesa. The gently rolling, open grassland and distant mountain vistas offers a tempting invitation to wander across this beautiful countryside. Stands of Ponderosa Pine occur in canyons and on hill tops and provide shelter for the elk herds that favor this open country. At the end of Aeroplane Mesa the trail drops 500 feet into canyon of the Middle Fork of the Gila River. At the Gila River Trail 705 connects with the Middle Fork Trail 157 which follows the length of the river from Snow Lake to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. It also connects with the Trotter Trail 30 which leads to the West Fork of the Gila River..
From the town of Reserve follow Forest Road 141 to 28, then turn east on CA021. Travel time about 2 hours.
From the town of
Glenwood follow NM 159 to Forest Road 28, then turn east on CA021.
NM 159 is not recommended for horse trailers.
Horse Camp Directions:
Information on horse trails, horse camps and camping and hiking paths for horseback riders, and hikers at Aeroplane Mesa Campground near Reserve, New Mexico
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