Manzano Peak via Pine Shadow Spring Trail in Cibola National Forest, NM

Hike Manzano Peak via Pine Shadow Spring Trail Cibola National Forest, NM

Class 1 10.8 miles 3300 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Apr 22, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Manzano Peak via Pine Shadow Spring Trail GPX Track

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Reaching the Pine Shadow Trailhead is possible for any vehicle. I headed up a mostly intact trail through typical New Mexico scrub and up to the ridgeline above. Along the way, the trail leads through a burned area, but the trail is still in good shape as it makes its way along the southern slopes of the ridge. Once back into living forest, the trail continues to slowly gain elevation, but there was a short section where the trail became difficult to follow and I lost it completely. I marked this spot on my attached map. I ascended through the downed trees to get to the ridge for a hundred feet to get back on the trail, which also happened to be the ridgeline. From here the Pine Shadow Trail followed the forested ridgeline to Manzano Peak, great views the whole way up.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Manzano Peak
10098 ft
3238 rise

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A bit after leaving the trailhead, views of the forest road I came on visible in the valley on the left.
A bit after leaving the trailhead, views of the forest road I came on visible in the valley on the left.
Manzano Peak in the distance (right).
Manzano Peak in the distance (right).
Manzano Peak hidden somewhere above.
Manzano Peak hidden somewhere above.
Image 3 from gallery
Looking back along the trail, forest road on the left.
Looking back along the trail, forest road on the left.
Image 5 from gallery
Burned area. The trail traverses the whole area.
Burned area. The trail traverses the whole area.
Burned area, looking back.
Burned area, looking back.
Higher up in the burned area, looking back.
Higher up in the burned area, looking back.
The trail does a big arch through this burned area.
The trail does a big arch through this burned area.
Image 10 from gallery
Forested section on the west side of the ridge leading to Manzano Peak.
Forested section on the west side of the ridge leading to Manzano Peak.
Looking back within the forested section.
Looking back within the forested section.
Image 13 from gallery
A view of the ridgeline I will be on shortly. The trail goes away around here, so I bushwhacked a short section to get to the ridge.
A view of the ridgeline I will be on shortly. The trail goes away around here, so I bushwhacked a short section to get to the ridge.
On the ridgeline. The trail goes to the left, and then curves around up to Manzano Peak (right).
On the ridgeline. The trail goes to the left, and then curves around up to Manzano Peak (right).
Along the ridge.
Along the ridge.
Mostly obstructed views along the ridgeline.
Mostly obstructed views along the ridgeline.
Manzano Peak ahead.
Manzano Peak ahead.
Looking back toward the ridgeline.
Looking back toward the ridgeline.
Image 20 from gallery
Full ridgeline visible from a small clearing at the base of Manzano Peak.
Full ridgeline visible from a small clearing at the base of Manzano Peak.
Short forested section leading up the last bit of Manzano Peak.
Short forested section leading up the last bit of Manzano Peak.
Image 23 from gallery
Approaching Manzano Peak summit.
Approaching Manzano Peak summit.
Manzano Peak summit, looking toward the ridgeline approach.
Manzano Peak summit, looking toward the ridgeline approach.

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!