Burro Peak
October 27 & 29, 2026
In late October, we had the good fortune to participate in two days of an extended Gila Trails project in the Burro Mountains.
I have long been intrigued by Burro Peak (8022'), but it was always a bit out or reach, accessible only via an eight-mile round trip hike up Deadman Canyon (1800' ascent), or via an even longer hike on the Continental Divide Trail.
Fortunately, the crew had scouted a shortcut via a rough forest road that shortened the distance to five miles round trip, with a 1200' ascent.
The summit was a total surprise. I expected it to be bare and stony, since that's how it looks from a distance. But instead, it was a lush, undulating mixed pondo and piñon-juniper forest punctuated by lovely alpine meadows.
Just past the summit, there's a clearing with an improbably view DOWN of the jagged ridge of Knight Peak and all the way across Animas Playa.
I enjoyed working on Burro Peak so much, that I returned two days later with Dennis and my friend Jony. That's Ferguson Mountain in the distance.
Looking north toward the Little Burro Mountains.
The benchmark has two dates — 1920 and 1934 — but no elevation.
This gnarled, ancient juniper was glowing with golden autumn foliage.
Locoweed and fall tansyaster, the last of the summer wildflowers. They added some flashes of bright color to a perfect fall hike!
On the drive home, we were flabbergasted to spot a half dozen bighorn sheep crossing the trestle near the Tyrone Mine. We hit the ditch and hiked back, hoping they would pop out on the other side. Neither of us had any idea that they ventured this far south. Perfect end to a perfect day!
