The Gooseberry Springs Trail climbs approximately 2.5 miles to the top of 11,301 feet high Mt. Taylor.  The change in elevation of around 2,126 feet makes this a challenging round-trip hike of 4 to 5 hours.  The trailhead is located in the mixed conifer vegetation type at 9,175 feet.  At 9,500 feet you enter the spruce-fir type, one of the highest vegetation zones in the Southwest.  The hiker has the opportunity to see varied flora and fauna, as well as enjoy the interesting geological formations of the area. Summer and fall are the best times to enjoy the beautiful vistas of this mountain hike.  Keep in mind weather conditions as you plan your hike.  On a clear day, you can even see into Colorado from the summit.  Please remember that Mt. Taylor is sacred to American Indians and respect their beliefs.

Cibola National Forest covers more than 1.6 million acres and includes mountains, grasslands, wilderness, and forests. The name Cibola comes from the Zuni word for their tribal lands, which the Spanish later translated as "buffalo". The forest is home black bears, cougars, elk, and pronghorn. Cibola National Forest offers many recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and skiing. It also has cultural and historical significance, as it contains ancient Native American sites and historic trails.

The National Forest has four ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mount Taylor. In addition, the Cibola has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington, and Apache Kid.