Tadpole Ridge in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Tadpole Ridge Gila National Forest, NM

Class 1 7.2 miles 1900 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Oct 15, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Tadpole Ridge GPX Track

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I didn't know it at the time of doing this hike, but Tadpole Ridge had burned a few months before I got here. This was clear about a mile into the hike, but the trail was still in great shape. After some pretty forest walking and some moderate elevation gain, I made it to the ridgeline where there were some really nice views of the surrounding area, including toward Signal Peak. The trail mostly keeps off the ridge crest, instead side-hilling on its northern slope. The last hundred feet of the hike is off-trail to find the high point. I considered continuing along the ridge since the trail does continue, but the trail did seem a bit less obvious and I also had other peaks I wanted to hike. I was happy with the high point.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Tadpole Ridge
8614 ft
1134 rise

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Start of the Tadpole Ridge Trail.
Start of the Tadpole Ridge Trail.
Signal Peak visible through the trees top left.
Signal Peak visible through the trees top left.
Recent burn area, but the trail was in good shape.
Recent burn area, but the trail was in good shape.
The trail follows a dirt road for a hundred feet or so.
The trail follows a dirt road for a hundred feet or so.
Continuing along the Tadpole Ridge Trail as it ascends to the ridge.
Continuing along the Tadpole Ridge Trail as it ascends to the ridge.
Looking back along the Tadpole Ridge Trail, Signal Peak visible to the southeast.
Looking back along the Tadpole Ridge Trail, Signal Peak visible to the southeast.
Tadpole Ridge's eastern stretch visible ahead. The trail wraps around the rock outcropping.
Tadpole Ridge's eastern stretch visible ahead. The trail wraps around the rock outcropping.
View toward Signal Peak.
View toward Signal Peak.
Tadpole Ridge.
Tadpole Ridge.
The trail wraps around the right side of the rock outcropping, rarely actually going on the ridgeline itself.
The trail wraps around the right side of the rock outcropping, rarely actually going on the ridgeline itself.
Another bump along Tadpole Ridge that the trail avoids.
Another bump along Tadpole Ridge that the trail avoids.
Image 11 from gallery
Looking back, the trail staying to the northern slope of Tadpole Ridge rather than the ridge crest.
Looking back, the trail staying to the northern slope of Tadpole Ridge rather than the ridge crest.
Image 13 from gallery
Image 14 from gallery
Image 15 from gallery
Short section along the ridge crest.
Short section along the ridge crest.
Image 17 from gallery
A view looking back along Tadpole Ridge.
A view looking back along Tadpole Ridge.
Tadpole Ridge high point visible ahead.
Tadpole Ridge high point visible ahead.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Final push along the ridgeline.
Final push along the ridgeline.
After a short jaunt through a thicker section of forest, I left the Tadpole Ridge Trail and ascended just off the trail to the high point.
After a short jaunt through a thicker section of forest, I left the Tadpole Ridge Trail and ascended just off the trail to the high point.
Tadpole Ridge summit, view north.
Tadpole Ridge summit, view 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!