Black Peak via Signal Peak Trail in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Black Peak via Signal Peak Trail Gila National Forest, NM

Class 1 7.9 miles 2500 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Oct 15, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Black Peak via Signal Peak Trail GPX Track

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The Signal Peak Trail is a popular and nicely maintained hike up to a lookout towert. Signal Peak isn't the high point, however. That designation goes to Black Peak which is a few miles farther along the ridge. You can drive up to basically the base of Signal Peak if you want to skip the hike, but that's not my jam. From the trailhead, I followed the Signal Peak Trail through the forest, the views not getting pretty until about a half mile before the summit. Once on Signal Peak, I took in the views from the lookout tower and then headed down on the dirt access road for a few hundred feet. The hike continued onto the Continental Divide Trail, which more or less followed the ridge crest to just below Black Peak. Aside from a couple of nice viewpoints, this section of trail is unremarkable. There is a pretty obviously social trail leading to Black Peak, just off the CDT. The views weren't great from the summit, and there was a human-made contraption up there.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Signal Peak
8960 ft
120 rise
2
Black Peak
9029 ft
2349 rise

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The Signal Peak Trail is well-maintained and not super interesting for the majority of the ascent to Signal Peak.
The Signal Peak Trail is well-maintained and not super interesting for the majority of the ascent to Signal Peak.
View back toward Tadpole Ridge (top).
View back toward Tadpole Ridge (top).
Continuing up switchbacks along the Signal Peak Trail.
Continuing up switchbacks along the Signal Peak Trail.
Image 3 from gallery
Signal Peak top left somewhere.
Signal Peak top left somewhere.
Image 5 from gallery
Yay, some views.
Yay, some views.
Image 7 from gallery
Signal Peak lookout tower.
Signal Peak lookout tower.
Signal Peak lookout tower, view toward Black Peak.
Signal Peak lookout tower, view toward Black Peak.
A short walk down a dirt road leads to the Continental Divide Trail.
A short walk down a dirt road leads to the Continental Divide Trail.
Along the CDT, heading toward Black Peak.
Along the CDT, heading toward Black Peak.
Some nice views along the CDT.
Some nice views along the CDT.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Continuing through the forest, more or less along the ridgeline.
Continuing through the forest, more or less along the ridgeline.
I left the trail and followed a fairly obviously social trail to Black Peak, ahead.
I left the trail and followed a fairly obviously social trail to Black Peak, ahead.
Black Peak summit.
Black Peak summit.

Hire me or show me some love!

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!