Black Bull Peak via Dangerous Park in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Black Bull Peak via Dangerous Park Gila National Forest, NM

Class 2 11.6 miles 2500 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Oct 16, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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I was looking for a peak in this isolated nook of New Mexico, a region I hadn’t visited before. After much scouring, I realized that most significant summits in the area seem to offer minimal hiking since they're accessible by vehicle on rough roads, while others require miles of bushwhacking due to the absence of trails. Black Bull Peak caught my attention because of its proximity to the Dangerous Park Trail. I had a sense that this area would mostly feature typical New Mexico hills with the occasional interesting volcanic feature, and that’s pretty much exactly what this hike turned out to be. Regardless, I enjoyed the walk on a tame, sometimes difficult-to-follow trail to a seldom-visited peak. I learned years ago that it’s important to check for updates on New Mexico trails, since they often receive below-average attention, especially in areas far from civilization. However, a recent report by Valerie Norton made this trail seem viable.

The turn-off for the Pueblo Park Campground starts here (33.63606, -108.89683), a road perfectly fine for any vehicle. I parked at the end of the campground, which I learned was a site built by the CCC in the 1930s. The Dangerous Park Trail begins past a corral and gradually ascends through rolling hills. Initially, it’s in great shape and easy to follow. I could see the cliffs beneath the base of the Saddle Mountain Lookout Tower on my way up, but most other features were difficult to discern, as the hills weren’t necessarily all that unique.

The scraggly forest was interspersed with small clearings, offering random views in different directions. The Dangerous Park Trail progressively wound its way along lumpy ridgelines and gentle slopes until reaching a feature known as Dangerous Park, which I believe is just a clearing with a wooden corral. Beyond Dangerous Park, the trail degrades significantly, though it remains a overall reasonable. By the end of the hike, however, I was covered in scratchy burrs from my knees down. Immediately past the corral, it’s tempting to follow a fenceline, but the trail instead heads north, a few sparse cairns helping just enough to stay on track.

Soon, I reached a nice overlook toward Black Bull Peak ahead, and the views of the surrounding hills improved further. I was pleased to find that the trail led me all the way to the base of Black Bull Peak before it abruptly wrapped around its southern base, which was where I left the trail. From below, I peered up at the cliff band protecting the summit and determined that my best option for the ascent would be up a small talus field on its southwest side. Meandering too far right would lead to more difficult scrambling on larger boulders, and veering left seemed to lead to more serious cliffs. I took the lumped southern ridge through the trees. There wasn’t much bushwhacking to note, but the steepness was certainly a change compared to the approach so far.

It was nice to get some fun boulder-hopping near the top, though none of the scrambling exceeded Class 2. I found the weakness in the cliff band I'd intended to reach and scurried up. The high point is located a bit to the north, requiring a quick forest walk along the rim. I was surprised to find that the true summit was a Class 4 boulder cluster, but with good holds, I was able to reach the true summit. The views were a little disappointing due to dense tree cover, though there was a lookout point on the north end. I never found out why this area was considered dangerous enough to be called Dangerous Park.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Black Bull Peak
8365 ft
496 rise

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Starting along the Dangerous Park Trail.
Starting along the Dangerous Park Trail.
Entering the forest, a nice sign marking the way.
Entering the forest, a nice sign marking the way.
Most of the landscape along the Dangerous Park Trail looked like this. Rolling hills, sparse trees.
Most of the landscape along the Dangerous Park Trail looked like this. Rolling hills, sparse trees.
Gradual ascending along the hills.
Gradual ascending along the hills.
Occasional views to the surrounding hills.
Occasional views to the surrounding hills.
Little clearings along the way.
Little clearings along the way.
Although a nice hike, the landscape didn't change much.
Although a nice hike, the landscape didn't change much.
Saddle Mountain seen over there.
Saddle Mountain seen over there.
A trail junction along the Dangerous Park Trail.
A trail junction along the Dangerous Park Trail.
Another nice clearing as I approach the Dangerous Park corral.
Another nice clearing as I approach the Dangerous Park corral.
Along a fence line for a bit.
Along a fence line for a bit.
The corral at Dangerous Park.
The corral at Dangerous Park.
Continuing along the Dangerous Park Trail, but the trail is less good past the corral.
Continuing along the Dangerous Park Trail, but the trail is less good past the corral.
View back.
View back.
Black Bull Peak comes into view.
Black Bull Peak comes into view.
Still ascending gradually.
Still ascending gradually.
One more shot of the surrounding hills.
One more shot of the surrounding hills.
Approaching the base of Black Bull Peak.
Approaching the base of Black Bull Peak.
Close-up toward the Class 2 rim. I kept left of the large columns seen center.
Close-up toward the Class 2 rim. I kept left of the large columns seen center.
Steep off-trail.
Steep off-trail.
View back down. Saddle Mountain seen top right.
View back down. Saddle Mountain seen top right.
Class 2 as I approach the rim.
Class 2 as I approach the rim.
View back down. The Dangerous Park Trail runs along the lumpy ridge seen center.
View back down. The Dangerous Park Trail runs along the lumpy ridge seen center.
A weakness in the cliff band.
A weakness in the cliff band.
Summit block ahead.
Summit block ahead.
Black Bull Peak summit block, Class 4.
Black Bull Peak summit block, Class 4.
Summit block, view north.
Summit block, view north.
Just north of the true summit, a better view west.
Just north of the true summit, a better view west.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!