Dome Cut...The Stairway, NM

Nice to score yet another in town canyon cut with some slightly different characteristics. Once past the initial few hundred yards of gravel, this gorge climbs in a stairstep fashion over ledged bedrock for most of its length.


As you wind back and around this narrow cut, views alternate with the city slipping into site then disappearing, and finally, nice perspectives of both Dome Rock and Prominent Point.The drainage lies between Dome Rock and Prominent Point and is a reasonable if not optimal approach to either peak. A logical terminus to the hike is the meadow area between those peaks, just below the saddle that connects them to each other on the east. To that point the hike is a non stop series of short ledges that keep you nicely moving up, at a bit over 1000' per mile for most of the hike. Above the meadow, the cut is a bit overgrown, but accessible. If you climb to the saddle at the east end you have the option to loop down either Quiet Canyon to the north, or around down the old Jeep road from Prominent Point. You could also head on up to the Mesa via either the Cleft or RockaChucky Wash.

This is an ideal short, leg stretching workout hike, or a pleasant midday picnic hiking route.

With the slowly improving economics in the area, the private land at the base of the wash is being put back into development. No trespassing signs are beginning to pop up. While the land is still open and unposted across to Scenic Drive, I've noted the trailhead a bit further north, adjacent to the bike and pedestrian trail along the aquaduct. Follow the walking/bike path east over to the base of the mountains, and when the trails and culvert turn to the north, exit to the south, following the old dirt road along the base of the hills. Look to the east for the right drainage. It lies immediately between Dome Rock and Prominent Point (easy to spot because of the old Jeep rd going up the hill.) There is an old 8" Pipe gate with chains next to the wash entry on your left.

2011-01-05 imike