Flying V Trail #706

Flying V Trail #706 is a hike on the north side of the Gila Wilderness near Aeroplane Mesa Campground. The route is built for an out-and-back day, with access coming from the Flying V Trailhead off the Aeroplane Mesa area road system (listed as about 3.25 road miles from Aeroplane Mesa Campground).

The trail starts from higher, open terrain and works through grassland before shifting into Pinon/juniper. As you travel farther in, the tread transitions from mesa-top conditions toward a steep drop into Flying V Canyon.

Expect a bigger environmental shift at the canyon bottom: Flying V Canyon leads to an open ponderosa canyon floor with the Middle Fork area ecosystem nearby. The out-and-back profile makes the return mirror the descent back toward the mesa.

Route length is commonly described as about 3 to 5 miles out-and-back depending on your start point, with elevation gain around 708.5 ft. That puts it in the mild-to-moderate difficulty band, but the vertical change is what drives the effort.

Trailheads in this part of the Gila Wilderness also connect into adjacent signed routes. Flying V Trail #706 links with other Gila Wilderness trails, including Canyon Creek Trail #31 and Trotter Trail #30, so you can plan longer itineraries if you want to extend beyond an out-and-back.

Terrain is designated as a ground surface and is part of the longer-distance hiking network. Plan on wilderness travel ethics for the area and be prepared for navigation challenges that can come with canyon travel and seasonal impacts.

More information: Conditions, Visitor information, Visitor information