Cabrito Canyon, NM

If you have an odd hour and would enjoy an easy off trail trek, with some minor scrambling up 5' to 12' ledges, then this side drainage off of Goat Springs Wash might be just the right hike. Though it does not go far before dispersing out into mid level desert scrub, the bedrock nature of the drainage makes for a pleasant walk. The ledge scrambling is minor, though you should remember that standing up on a 6' ledge puts your head close to 12' above the bottom of any fall you might take. Caution is advised.


You access this hike by walking up the trail or old jeep road heading up into Goat Springs Wash. Below and in sight of the dramatic Goat Springs pourover, the drainage splits. The left hand fork heads up into Goat Springs proper... the right hand split to the south is this nice little hike. The juncture of the wash is easily identified by the abandoned water main pipes lying busted and scattered at the mouth of the drainage (pale green synthetic pipe).

To make a bit more of an adventure of this hike, once you hit the desert scrub basin, turn to the south and cross the ridge over into the adjoining drainage and drop down into it to hike a loop down and out, or, hike up to the impressive waterfall formation further up this canyon. The route down and out is simple and easy, a nice alternative to hiking back down the ledges in Cabrito.

This hike makes a great early morning outing when time is short... or, in cooler weather a nice picnic hike with tucked away rock ledges to enjoy private moments. The upper reaches provide nice city views.

This is an in city hike... drive into the city park at the east end of 1st street, walk up onto the levy to the east of the park, cross the aquaduct via the pedestrian bridge and head up the old jeep road. This was the original Goat Springs Trail (now oriented further to the north out of Marble Canyon). Walk up the road to the wide open area, and then drop into the drainage on the south side (there is an old jeep track leading down into the wash at this point).

Enjoy!

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2010-09-20 imike