Lincoln National Forest Trails

Trail Name	Trail Number	Length in miles	Rating					Comments
South Base Trail	T57	10.1	Difficult	X	X			South Base Trail starts on the north side of Forest Road FR 338 about 1.2 miles from the junction of FR 56. It crosses trails 59 and 60 and ends at trail 61.
Summit Trail	58	8.2	Difficult	X	X			Summit Trail 58  follows the main ridge of the Capitan Mountains from the junction of trails 62 and 64 to the electronic site at the end of FR 56.
Padilla Canyon Trail	59	3.3	Difficult	X	X			Padilla Canyon Trail (59) starts at Padilla Point and FR 56.  It drops down the south side, but turns east at the base of the Capitan's and ends at trail 60 (Mitten Bar).
Mitten Bar Trail	60	3.2	X	X	X			Mitten Bar Trail (60) begins on the south side of the Capitan's on trail 57 and connects to FR 56 about 1 mile west of the electronic site, after passing through the wilderness for a short distance.
Pierce Canyon Trail	61	5.8	Difficult	X	X			Pierce Canyon Trail (61) starts off on the south side of the wilderness area along FR 57 and connects with trail 58.
Pancho Canyon Trail	62	3.5	Difficult	X	X			Pancho Canyon Trail (62) starts on the south side of the wilderness at the end of FR 536 and travels up the canyon to the junction of trails 58 and 64.
Capitan Peak Trail	64	5.7	Difficult	X	X			Capitan Peak Trail (64) is very steep and has many switchbacks. It starts near the Pine Lodge Summer Home at the northeast portion of the Capitan's.
Copeland Canyon Trail	63	1.0	Easy	X	X			North Base Trail (65) is very steep and has many switchbacks. It travels near the Pine Lodge Summer Home area at the northeast portion of the Capitan's.
North Base Trail	65	4.6	Easy	X	X	X	X	North Base Trail (65) primarily follows the foothills through pinyon-juniper woodland, traveling between FR 130 near Pine Lodge to FR 616. It crosses Seven Cabins Canyon and continues on to the west for another mile.
Seven Cabins Trail	66	3.8	Difficult	X	X			Seven Cabins Trail (66) is also a steep trail located on the north side of the Capitan's. It starts at the end of FR 256 and meets trails 58 and 61 on the main ridge of the mountain's.
Copeland Canyon Trail	69	1	Easy	X	X			Copeland Canyon Trail (69) has an elevation change of 400 feet over it's 1 mile length.
South Fork Trail	19	5.7	Difficult	X	X			South Fork Trail (19) is a relatively steep climb to the crest with elevation changes of 2700 feet following the course of the South Fork Rio Bonito. It starts at the upper end of South Fork Campground. This 5.7 mile trail ends at the junction with Crest Trail 25.
Crest Trail	25	21.1	Difficult	X	X			Crest Trail (25) starts in the parking lot 1/2 mile below Monjeau Lookout. It changes in elevation 2250 feet and ends at FR 108. The trail gives visitors a special view of White Sands, the Malpais and the desert to the west.
Bluefront Canyon Trail	33	5.2	Difficult	X	X			Bluefront Canyon Trail (33) starts from South Fork Trail 19, rises 2850 feet in elevation and ends at Crest Trail 25. This trail is a steep climb leading to the crest.
Aspen Canyon Trail	35	2.4	Difficult	X	X			Aspen Canyon Trail (35) starts at trail 36, rises 1500 feet and ends at trail 25. This trail follows Aspen Canyon Spring offering outstanding views from the crest of Elk Point and White Horse Hill. The trail may be used as a loop with Bonito Creek Trail 36 for a one-day trip or as an access rail to the crest.
Bonito Creek Trail	36	4.6	Difficult	X	X			Bonito Creek Trail (36) starts at the end of FR 107 and ends at trail 25. Following Bonito Creek, the trail rises 1100 feet through heavy stands of Aspen and small meadows with good camping sites just off the trail. Looking from the crest you can see Elk Point, White Horse Hill and a panoramic view of Tularosa Basin. Bonito Seep is located north of the trail just below the crest. This seep is a prime example of the origin of the White Mountain Wilderness streams that make up the Bonito watershed.
Little Bonito Creek Trail	37	1.5	Difficult	X	X			Little Bonito Creek Trail (36) starts at the junction with Bonito Creek Trail 36 and rises 525 feet to ends at the junction with Crest Trail 25. The trail climbs gradually through wooded area and mountain meadows to the crest, following the Little Bonito Spring. In combination with the lower part of Bonito Creek Trail 36, this is the easiest route to the upper end of Doherty Ridge Trail 50.
Argentina Canyon Trail	39	2.5	Difficult	X	X			Argentina Canyon Trail (39) begins at the end of FR 107 and rises 1300 feet to end at the junction with Crest Trail 25. Following Argentina Canyon and a year round stream, the trail gradually climbs to the crest through stands of pine, fir and aspen. From the crest you'll get a spectacular view of Carrizozo and the Malpais, as well as good views of the White Mountain Wilderness.
Three Rivers Trail	44	5.6	Difficult	X	X			Three Rivers Trail (44) begins at Three Rivers Campground and rises 3650 feet to end at the junction with Crest Trail 25. The trail follows Three Rivers Creek almost all the way to the Crest Trail. This is one of the largest streams in the wilderness, with a population of brook trout ranging from 4"-7" in length.
Doherty Ridge Trail	50	4.2	Difficult	X	X			Doherty Ridge Trail (50) starts from Crest Trail 25, changes in elevation 2050 feet and ends at Spring Canyon Well. This trail has the most diverse terrain of all the wilderness trails.
Trails on the Sacramento Ranger District
Trail Name	Trail Number	Length in miles	Rating					Comments
La Pasada Encantada Trail	233	0.4	Easy	X				La Pasada Encantada Trail (233) is a short trail near the west end of Sleepy Grass Campground, primarily for the visually handicapped. It has informative Braille signs along a bordered path which allows one to feel the different trees and shrubs while listening to the birds and squirrels.
Rim Trail	105	28	Difficult	X	X	X	X	Rim Trail (105) is a National Recreational Trail. The registered section is 13.5 miles long and starts near Slide Group Campground, running parallel to the Scenic By-Way 6563 to Atkinson Field. The remainder of the trail goes on to Sunspot and then south to Hornbuckle Hill on FR 90 (West Side Road). There are many scenic vistas of the Tularosa Basin below.
Cathey Vista Trail		0.25						Cathey Vista Trail ends at a vista overlooking the Tularosa Basin. Cathey Vista is 2 miles north of Sacramento Peak Observatory on Scenic By-Way 6563. Elevation is 9500 feet.
Dog Canyon Trail	106	5.2	Difficult	X				Dog Canyon Trail (106) is another National Recreation Trail starting at the mouth of Dog Canyon in Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, ending at FR 90B on Joplin Ridge. Dog Canyon Trail has an elevation gain of 3,130', from 4,400' at the trailhead to 7,600' on Joplin Ridge. Trail conditions vary from good to poor for the first two miles. The last 2.5 miles are arduous, steep grades on a rocky trail. Scenic and historical, the trail provides magnificent views of Dog Canyon and the Tularosa Basin plus the San Andres Mountains.
Nelson Vista Trail	232	0.25	Easy	X	X			Nelson Vista Trail starts 5 miles south of Cloudcroft, just off the Scenic By-Way 6563. Foot traffic ONLY.
Osha Trail	10	2.5	Difficult	X	X	X		Osha Trail (10) is a loop which starts opposite the old railroad trestle on US 82. The trail offers an outstanding view of White Sands and the Tularosa Basin with interpretive flora signs the whole length.
Willie White Trail	113	5.5	Moderate	X	X	X		Willie White Trail (113) starts the junction of Willie White Canyon and Rio Penasco. There is water in both Willie White and Water Canyons. This trail encircles Bluff Springs on the old railroad bed.
Alamo Peak Trail	109	3.5	Moderate	X				Alamo Peak Trail (109) trailhead is on south side of Alamo Peak Road FR 64D, just before it enters the Alamo Peak Military Compound fence. The trail has a steep 15-20% grade. The trail connects with Pipeline and Atkinson trails which in turn connect with Rim Trail at Atkinson Field, providing several loop possibilities. The trail ends at West Side Road (FR 90). This trail receives heavy trail bike use during the summer and fall, especially on weekends.
Pipeline Trail	T110	1.7	Easy	X				Pipeline Trail Trailhead (110) is at Atkinson Field. Connecting to Alamo Peak Trail and the south end of Rim Trail, this trail is very steep. The lower 2/3 follows the City of Alamogordo's aqueduct. This trail receives heavy motorcycle use in season.
Atkinson Trail	111	1.6	Difficult	X				Atkinson Trail (111) is a trail connecting with Alamo Peak Trail and Rim Trail. The trail is very steep, mostly along a canyon bottom. The trailhead is at Atkinson Field.
Monument Canyon Trail	123	0.8	Moderate	X	X			Monument Spring Trail (123) is a foot trail for hiking or horseback riding. Go south on Sunspot Road (FR 6563) 17 miles to Sacramento River Road (FR 537). Going south on FR 537, turn east onto Scott Able Road (FR 460). Continue north and east to junction with FR 64. Turn south on FR 64 to junction with FR 255, turn south across the Agua Chiquita Creek on FR 255 to top of ridge, continue south onto FR 5600, travel about 1.5 miles to the trailhead. There is room at the trailhead for 2-3 campers. The three-mile trail leads down a canyon bottom past a beautiful running spring.
Weed Lookout Trail	T120	1.1	Easy					Weed Lookout Trail (120) begins behind the service station at Sacramento, NM and ends at Weed Fire Lookout Tower. This trail mostly follows the canyon bottom but eventually climbs out to the top of the ridge. The trail wanders thru the devastation and sterilization left by a 15,500-acre forest fire which raged through the area in 1974.
Lick Canyon Trail	5543	4.5						Lick Canyon Trail (5543) is an ATV trail located in Lick Canyon between FR 9632D and FR253A. From NM 24 between Weed and Pinyon turn west on FR 183 (Pinyon Draw), travel about 5.5 miles to junction with FR 253, then go about 7.5 miles to the junction with FR 9642D, turn south on FR 9642D, travel about 0.1 mile. Trail is located in the bottom of the canyon. There are several good dispersed camping areas on Pinyon Draw and Lick Ridge.
Wayland Canyon Trail	433	4.3	Difficult	X	X	X	X	Wayland Canyon Trail (433) is an ATV trail in Wayland Canyon. Go west from Sacramento on FR 64 for about 4 miles, turn left on Skyridge Church Camp road, travel about 0.6 mile. The trail is located on the left of a wide turnout area. Wayland Canyon is filled with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir stands. The aspen, maple and Gambel oaks show good color in the fall.
Bear Track Trail	966A	1.2						Bear Track Trail (966A) is an 1.2 mile ATV trail from Long Canyon up to Lick Ridge. From NM 24, between Weed and Pinyon, turn west on FR 183 (Pinyon Draw), travel about 5.75 miles to the junction with FR 557, go about 3 miles to a fork in the road and trail sign. The trail leads up out of Long Canyon and ends at FR 253 (Lick Ridge).
Long Canyon Trail	9652	2.2						Long Canyon Trail (9652) is a 2.2 mile ATV trail in Long Canyon, following the canyon bottom before climbing out to Lick Ridge. From NM 24, between Weed and Pinyon, turn west on FR 183 (Pinyon Draw), travel about 5.5 miles to junction with FR 557, go about 3 miles to a fork in the road, take trail 9652 on the right. The trail terminates at FR 253.
Elk Canyon Trail	253D	2.9						Elk Canyon Trail (253D) is an ATV trail located in Elk Canyon leading out of the canyon to Lick Ridge. From NM 24, between Weed and Pinyon, turn west on FR 183(Pinyon Draw), travel about 5.5 miles to junction with FR 253 (to Lick Ridge), go about 3 miles take FR 253X on the right. The trail is on the left about 0.05 miles from the junction. The trail ends on FR 253 (Lick Ridge). This area is great for hunting deer and turkey.
Middle Tank Trail	9611B	1						Middle Tank Trail (9611B) is an ATV trail located on the Prestridge fuel break, leading down into Bear Canyon and ending at Camp Mary White (Girl Scout Camp). There is no access right of way through this private property, so plan on retracing your journey to Prestridge Ridge. The trail is a 1 mile round trip. Go west from Sacramento on FR 64 about 2 1⁄2 miles, turn right onto FR 257 (Hay Canyon), travel 3 miles, turn right onto FR 541 (Prestridge Hill), go to the top of the hill, turn right onto FR 551, go .75 miles. The trail is located on the left. This area is heavily timbered.
West Tank Trail	9611A	2						West Tank Trail (9611A) is a 2 mile round-trip ATV trail located off the Prestridge Ridge fuel break, leading down into Bear Canyon, ending at Camp Mary White (Girl Scout Camp). There is no access right of way through this private property, so plan on retracing your journey to Prestridge Ridge. Go west from Sacramento on FR64 about 2 1⁄2 miles, turn right onto FR 257 (Hay Canyon), travel 3 miles, turn right onto FR 541 (Prestridge Hill), go to the top of the hill, turn right onto FR 551, go .25 miles. The trail is located on the left.
Trails on the Guadalupe Ranger District
Trail Name	Trail Number	Length in miles	Rating					Comments
The Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Trails are non-motorized.
Last Chance Canyon Trail	226	5.6	Easy	X	X	X		Leave a vehicle at Last Chance Trailhead (fee required) then drive west on NM137 to FR67/CR413 (23 miles). Turn north onto FR67/CR413 for 5.5 miles. Turn east on FR277/CR413 and then east on FR277C (7 miles) to the Pumphouse Trailhead. From this direction, it is a downhill, one way hike to the bottom of Last Chance and Sitting Bull Canyons. Elevation change is 1040 feet. Plan a full day to explore this magnificent hideaway of nature. Another day of adventure to consider is starting this trail from the Last Chance Trailhead. From 226, take 217 and portions of 215 and 68 through Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area for a 10 mile loop hike. Elevation change is 1040 feet.
White Oaks Trail	217	2.8	Easy	X	X	X		Access this trail from 226 or 68. Beginning at the intersection of 217 and 226, go 2.8 miles on T217 generally uphill (880 foot elevation change) through White Oaks Canyon to 215. Hike 215 for one mile to a panoramic view of Indian Basin before heading to Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area on 215, 214 and 68.
Overlook Trail	215	2.9	Moderate	X	X	X		From Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, take 68 to 215. The trail winds its way from the bottom of Sitting Bull Canyon up a side canyon to the top of the mesa via several switchbacks constructed by the CCC in the late 1930s. The 215 portion of the trail is an elevation change of 530 feet. From the highest point on the mesa, views stretch from a water tower in Artesia, NM across Indian Basin. After enjoying the views, hike 217 for 2.8 miles and 226 for three miles to loop back to Last Chance Trailhead and another 1/2 mile to Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area.
CCC Trail	T214	1.5	Easy	X	X	X		Both ends of 214 connect with 68 to form a loop. The southern section of 214 passes through dry, open semi-desert terrain; the northern portion threads along a mesa. The two sections are connected by an impressive series of nine switchbacks constructed many decades ago by the CCC. Elevation difference is 700 feet.
Sitting Bull Falls Trail	68	2.2	Easy	X	X	X		From Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area (fee required) consider hiking a 4.7 mile loop trail by including 214. 214 is connected at both ends with 68 at 2.1 and 9 miles from the Recreation Area. For a one-way, downhill hike; leave a car at the Last Chance Trailhead (fee required) then drive to the top of the District to access 68 from NM137. There is a sign at the beginning of the trail at NM137. Drive 0.6 miles past some corrals in your vehicle or start from NM137 for a 3.6 mile hike to Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area. Cool off in the wading pools on top of the falls before heading to your car about 1/2 mile further to the Last Chance Trailhead.
Gilson Canyon Trail	212	2.8	Easy	X	X	X	X	From NM 137 turn north onto FR 68E at the Guadalupe Administrative Site. Follow FR 68E for 1.2 miles to 212. This is a one way, two track trail to the bottom of Gilson Canyon.
Anderson Canyon Trail	68E	0.8	Moderate	X	X	X	X	From NM 137 turn north onto FR 68E at the Guadalupe Administrative Site. Follow FR68E for 1.2 miles to 212, then go another 0.2 miles to 68E. Follow 68E to the District boundary. This is a one way, two-track trail that stays on the ridge top.