Garden Wall, NM

Winding along below the south side of Beeman Ridge is a rock strata protruding out beginning around the 5,500' level. This 8' to 20' high wall begins at the north end of the Inner Basin, just above the Maze. The layer slowly angles up and around, in and out of drainages, finally terminating above the Mineral Springs Wash drainage. This spiny, very prickly rock formation makes for an interesting path for an easier (little elevation gain) off trail hike right in the city.


The hike begins with a steep walkup to the Wall through the Maze. Once on top, the path follows the edge of the Wall in and out and around the outward ridge curves between the drainage cuts. These serpentine protrusions create ten little mini-plateaus that provide close to 4 miles of interesting hiking. During the initial 1.5 miles there is an old jeep track running along generally following the ridgeline up. In fact, you can begin the hike a little further north, connecting with that jeep track for an easier walk up the hill. But, this hike is the Garden Wall... if you leave the ridge edges you'll be hiking in the Garden... don't. The nicer views and nicer path is out along the wall top.As you get higher the last few drainages cut more deeply back into ridge, and present a bit more challenge to negotiate. Finally, the rock strata fades away, and you are left with the option of returning the way you came, or making your way down the rough drainage to connect with Mineral Springs trail... there to loop back to the car directly, or extending the loop on up and around the east end of the Inner Basin to connect with Lost Trail, or the Ortega/Dry Canyon Traverse. You could also attempt to head up and over Beeman Ridge to the north.

The drainage at the end of the Garden Wall coincides with Beeman Canyon South on the far side of the ridge. It would be possible to climb up the drainage, cross the ridge, then hike down that rough canyon and loop around and down Beeman Canyon... or follow Beeman Ridge back to the Basin. Additionally, you could cross Beeman Canyon, climbing up to Horse Ridge to enjoy that path back down and around.

On its own, the Garden Wall is more of a picnic hike. This off trail route invites a nice morning of easier walking with Basin and City views.