T25
Crest Trail


Smokey Bear Ranger District
TL-green-190.jpgTL
Download
T25
GPS Track
(as .GPX)
In the map below, T25 Crest Trail is shown as a solid green line.  Open trails are shown as dark gray lines, and closed trails are shown as red lines.  The solid blue line is the border of the White Mountain Wilderness.
WMW6c2mnr11.jpg

WMW6c2mnr11.jpg

LENGTH:
20.1 miles
ELEVATION:
8700 - 11200 ft
2500 ft

difference
DIFFICULTY:
Difficult
SCENIC
RATING:
5
Download
Forest Service
Resource
Contour Interval: 40 feet
White Mountain Wilderness Trails (34 MB)

Nogal Peak Topo Map  Angus Topo Map
Route Color Codespaved roads
(red)
FS roads, open
(blue)
FS roads, closed or impassable
(magenta)
main trail(s)
(black dashes)
---connector trail(s)
(green dashes)
---damaged or intermittent trail(s)
(orange over black dashes)
---closed trails(s)
(red over black dashes)
---
Symbolstrailhead
(blue triangle)
blue-triangle.jpgtrail junction
(blue dot)
blue-dot.jpgtrail end
(blue square)
blue-square.jpg
The following links are likely to useful in planning hikes involving T25.  They suggest camping places and describe the availability of water along T25.
http://www.ruidoso.net/visitors/outdoors/trailheads/crest-monjeau.html

http://www.ruidoso.net/visitors/outdoors/trailheads/crest-nogal.html

DESCRIPTION:

T 25 is the most scenic trail in Smokey Bear Ranger District.  Forming the backbone of the White Mountain Wilderness Trail System, the lengthy, somewhat winding, yet broad U‑shaped trail generally hugs or parallels a series of three connected ridges. It provides scores of possibilities for incredible panoramic vistas of the White Mountain Wilderness, Capitan Mountains, Tularosa Basin, Organ Mountains, White Sands, Malpais Lava Beds, and the High Plains, plus spectacular views down numerous side canyons.  Indeed, distant views  could include the Aldo Leopold Wilderness 110 miles to the west in Gila National Forest, and the Santa Fe Mountains, over 150 miles to the north.  However, haze or smog normally blocks these views except on rare, very clear days. In addition to steep subalpine meadows, the trail passes through mixed conifer and aspen stands, and grassy oak savannas. Excellent wilderness camping possibilities exist at many locations.

 Although the trail name suggests that it follows the crest of the White Mountains, it actually traverses the ridge line infrequently, less than 5% of the total length of the trail.

Side trails allow access to segments of T25, and thus hikers can have access to the marvelous views without hiking the entire trail.  Those who wish to hike the entire length of T25 should allot three days for the hike, be in excellent physical condition, and plan not only for food and water but also for bad weather such as cold and thunder storms.

ACCESS:

To reach the southeastern T25 trailhead from Smokey Bear Ranger District Office in Ruidoso, drive NM48 north 4.2 miles to NM532, Ski Run Highway. Turn left on NM532 and follow the pavement 0.9 mile to Forest Road FR117, Monjeau Lookout Road. Turn right on FR117 and drive this partly graveled route 5.0 miles to a signed junction on the left for a short road leading to the T25 trailhead.

 To reach the northeastern T25 trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended, and 4‑wheel drive may be useful. Drive NM48 north 8.3 miles from Smokey Bear Ranger District Office to NM37. Turn left and follow NM37  1.3 miles to FR107, Rio Bonito Road (signed Bonito Lake). Turn left and follow the narrow, paved and sometimes rough road 7.1 miles past Bonito Lake, and beyond the end of pavement to the junction of FR108, Tanbark Canyon Road. Turn right and follow the increasingly rough road 3.2 miles to its highest point, site of the T25 trailhead.   CAUTION: FR108 should not be attempted if wet. 

 The northeastern  T25 trailhead can also be reached via FR400, up Nogal Canyon.  A high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended; 4‑wheel drive may be useful. Drive NM37, noted above, from its junction with NM48  9 miles to milepost 9. Go another 0.5 mile, turn left on FR400, Nogal Canyon Road, also known as County Road C015, and follow the graveled, then rough dirt road 7.2 miles to a sharp left curve. This marks the end of FR400 and the beginning of FR108 at T48, the Nogal trailhead.  Continue up FR108  1.1 miles over a winding, steep, rough dirt road to its highest point, site of the T25 trailhead on the right.
LOCATION(S) OF ACCESS POINT(S)
Lat/Lon hddd mm ss.sUTM/NAD83
Trailhead
(North-Nogal)
 N33 29 40.0
W105 47 02.3
13 S
427176
3706379
Trailhead
(South-Monjeau)
 N33 25 37.5
W105 44 05.2
13 S
431692
3698876

Last Hiked:  2001Web Page Updated:February 8, 2014
Copyright Lynn Melton 2014Contact: LNFTG14@gmail.com