Sawyers Peak in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Sawyers Peak Gila National Forest, NM

Class 1 7.8 miles 1800 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Oct 7, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Sawyers Peak GPX Track

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I parked at Emory Pass and located the trailhead for Sawyers Peak. Despite being heavily burned in the 2013 Silver Fire, Sawyers Peak is still a nice hike through a strange, blackened landscape. There are some downed trees and thorn bushes encroaching on the trail, but it's still a pleasant walk. I followed the Black Range Crest Trail on a pretty easy grade up to just east of Sawyers Peak. The views toward the northern rolling hills of the Gila are lovely, and more visible due to the dead trees. The trail doesn't lead to the true summit, so when I reached Sawyers Peak's east ridge, I left the trail and bushwhacked up a steeper slope to gain the summit. You might want to also check out Hillsboro Peak just across the street.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Sawyers Peak
9672 ft
1506 rise

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Starting from Emory Pass, head up the Sawyers Peak Trail through a burn area. There are some nice views and the burn area is quite pleasant despite being, well... burnt.
Starting from Emory Pass, head up the Sawyers Peak Trail through a burn area. There are some nice views and the burn area is quite pleasant despite being, well... burnt.
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Not much to comment on - it's a nice walk through a burn area with views of the surrounding mountains.
Not much to comment on - it's a nice walk through a burn area with views of the surrounding mountains.
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Eventually you'll get to a trail junction - stay along the ridgeline on the trail.
Eventually you'll get to a trail junction - stay along the ridgeline on the trail.
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Leave the trail eventually to gain the summit, which has no official trail. Cairns mark the way, but as long as you're going uphill, you'll get there.
Leave the trail eventually to gain the summit, which has no official trail. Cairns mark the way, but as long as you're going uphill, you'll get there.
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Sawyers Peak summit, looking north.
Sawyers Peak summit, looking north.

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!