Overview
The Black Range is the lesser-known sibling of the Mogollon Mountains within Gila National Forest, a long north-south ridgeline covered in pine and oak woodland that separates the Chihuahuan Desert to the east from the Mimbres Valley to the west. Signal Peak provides a summit destination in the southern Black Range with desert views and wilderness character.
The trail receives light use even by the standards of the Gila, making it an excellent choice for those seeking genuine solitude. The Black Range as a whole sees a fraction of the visitor traffic that comparable mountain terrain attracts elsewhere in New Mexico, partly because access requires navigating secondary roads and partly because the range lacks the marquee features of the Gila Cliff Dwellings or the Mogollon high country. That lower profile is an advantage for hikers who prefer uncrowded terrain with real quiet at the summit.
The Aldo Leopold Wilderness occupies much of the upper Black Range to the north. Signal Peak sits near the southern edge of that designated wilderness and shares the character of the range without formally entering the protected area.
The Route
Miles 0.0 to 1.0: Trailhead to Ridge
The trail climbs from the NM-152 trailhead through oak and pinon woodland on moderate grades. The lower section passes through a transitional zone between the Chihuahuan Desert scrub visible below NM-152 and the cooler woodland that begins partway up the slope. Gray oak, alligator juniper, and two-needle pinon are the dominant species in this section. The climb is consistent but not steep, gaining elevation steadily on a well-defined path.
Miles 1.0 to 2.5: Ridge Traverse to Summit
The trail gains the ridge and transitions into ponderosa pine and mixed pine-oak forest. The forest opens periodically at small clearings and rocky outcrops where the views begin to extend east across the Chihuahuan Desert floor below, with the Rio Grande valley visible in good conditions. The summit clearing at mile 2.5 is marked by a broad opening in the pine canopy and provides the fullest panorama: desert and ranch land stretching east toward the Rio Grande, and the Mogollon Mountains and Black Range high points visible to the north and west. The Black Range Crest Trail, which runs the full length of the range, crosses near the summit.
Miles 2.5 to 5.0: Return
Descend the same route. The descent through the oak and pinon section moves quickly and the change in vegetation is easy to notice on the return as the forest transitions back to the lower-elevation scrub. The final half-mile to the trailhead passes through the warmest and sunniest section of the route.
When to Hike
April through November is the accessible and comfortable season. Spring and fall offer the most reliable weather, with April and May bringing wildflowers to the lower woodland and October providing cool temperatures and some color from the oaks and bigtooth maples scattered through the upper forest.
July through August: afternoon monsoon storms develop over the Black Range most afternoons, and the open ridge and summit sections are exposed to lightning. Starting the hike by 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. gives most hikers time to reach the summit and begin the descent before the typical noon-to-3:00 p.m. storm window.
December through March: occasional snow falls on the ridge, and the summit can hold ice into late winter. The lower sections are often snow-free when the ridge is covered, making a partial hike to the ridgeline reasonable in most winter conditions.
What to Bring
Many hikers carry 2 liters of water; there is no water source anywhere on the trail. The dry air at this elevation and the climb means carrying sufficient water is important even on cool days. Trekking poles assist on the descent, particularly in the lower rocky section. A rain layer is worth packing during the monsoon months for the walk out from the summit.
Trailhead Access
The trailhead is located on NM-152 in the Black Range. NM-152 (also known as the Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway) runs through Emory Pass, and the Signal Peak trailhead is near that pass. No fee to park or hike (as of 2026). No facilities at the trailhead. The pullout holds 6 to 8 vehicles. Cell service is absent in this area.
Nearby
Aldo Leopold Wilderness Loop traverses the northern Black Range and provides a longer multi-day wilderness option for those wanting to explore the full range character. Little Bear Canyon Trail offers canyon terrain in the Mimbres Valley to the west, at lower elevation and with a completely different riparian character.
Check conditions at checking conditions before you go. Practice Leave No Trace principles throughout.