Hike Gallo Peak Cibola National Forest, NM

After hiking various cinder cones in the Zuni Mountains and nearly driving up Mount Sedgewick (the range high point), Kevin and I decided to wrap up the day with a slightly longer outing to Gallo Peak, which we thought had enough prominence to have at least decent views. After this hike I can safely say I don't think I'll be returning to this range for more peaks, though I was happy to spend the day with a friend in this weird area of New Mexico. To reach the trailhead where we started, head north here (34.95632, -107.94511). A passenger car might be able to make it here (35.01411, -107.97609). Turn east on an easy-to-miss grassy and overgrown road that continues to where we parked. A Crossover should be able to get there. Thanks to Eric Smith for the route on this one.

We headed through sparsely vegetated terrain, slowly gaining elevation until we stumbled on an old doubletrack. Rather than beeline to the summit, which looked awfully loose and steep from below, we continued along this old road until reaching the base of Gallo Peak's steep western slope. Steep, but certainly less steep than if we'd ascended earlier. We ascended Class 2 and otherwise just sort of unpleasant terrain for a few hundred feet. The slope became more tame for a while and the bushwhacking rare, but then the slope steepened once again as we neared the flatter summit area. Toward the top, we had to work around some boulders and slightly thicker forest growth. We headed south along the flattish mesatop in search of the high point, locating a summit register on the southeast side. The best views are just past the high point, but it's not exactly something to get too excited about.