Fourth of July and Mosca Loop

Cibola National Forest, NM Central New Mexico + Albuquerque

Distance: 5.8 mi
Net Gain: 1,300 ft
Time: 2-4 hrs
YDS Rating: Class 1
Route: Loop

Effort: 2.2/10
Personality: 4/10
Beauty: 4/10
Solitude: 3.8/10

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

34.792830, -106.383190

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions

Trip report

Apr 27, 2018 — I was looking for a way up to the summit of Mosca Peak, and the Fourth of July Trail seemed to get me pretty close. Without a social trail, though, Mosca Peak looked very uninviting with lots of dense and scratchy brush, so I ignored the opportunity to bushwhack to the summit (since I also couldn't find a social trail). Instead, I continued down the Mosca Trail to make this a loop. Not super fun, but there are some nice views along the Crest Trail when you are linking together the Fourth of July Trail and Mosca Trail.

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