Willie White Canyon, NM

While the Canyon hike begins at the same point as the official trail (Willie White Canyon Trail #113), the hiking experience is much different. Trail 113 follows old jeep and logging tracks up and over the ridge at the top of Willie White Canyon, then descends down and around through Telephone Canyon to Water Canyon. That route is highly used by ATV's... and you have the constant sense of walking along a road bed.


The canyon bottom hike is much different. The off trail single track winds up and around through intermittent Aspen groves, passing under pines and fir trees. The narrow, meadowed canyon gives a feel of being off and away. The route is not entirely easy; there are numerous deadfalls blocking the path, but they simply provide yet another pleasant diversion. The canyon ends and you are on the crest with a variety of hiking loop options.The formal trailhead for Wills Canyon would lead you off and down to your left, accessing the old railway bed in less than a mile...

To your right is the Willie White Canyon trail... follow it either back down Willie White Canyon or over and down into Water Canyon.

Heading off to the West is the old logging road, 6011, a great ridge hike that leads over to Forest Road 64.

Split the difference between 6011 and Wills Canyon, heading over and south down into July Canyon to connect with the 6th Gate trail or Upper Wills Canyon trail. This off trail route is delightful.

So.. forego the trail and experience the real Willie White Canyon!

2012-09-07 imike