Kathy Canyon, NM

I discovered this unnamed canyon when trying to find Cathey Canyon... and it proved to be the only good thing about that day of hiking. Kathy Canyon is the drainage just to the north of Cathey, and unlike that named canyon, Kathy is a great hike.


This gently climbing drainage is filled with aspen and mixed conifers... broken by meadows but mostly you are hiking under a nice, shady canopy. A well established Elk track carries you steadily upward and around. The lower canyon holds some active springs. There is a greater sense and feel of being off and away up this narrower cut.There is no ATV use up in this canyon. It is not an official route. This one is worth the time to find and explore.

You can hike the entire length of the drainage, starting well down Water Canyon, closer to Willie White Trail. Or, you can hike it like I did... starting higher up Water Canyon, across from the junction with the Brown Canyon loop (barb wire fence and power poles across stream in Water Canyon.)

If you decide to begin at this upper point: Walking off the road, and up and onto a small bench, you'll spot an old campsite... moving then up and around on fairly clear elk routes... you will enjoy a nice elk trail that carries you up, around and over a side drainage... and onto a small ridge, from the top of which you'll look down into Kathy Canyon. Elk trails will guide you softly down off the ridge into the Canyon bottom, where you could head up canyon: you'll top out very near Cathey Canyon on The Sunspot Hiway... or, you could head down canyon and loop out and back up Water Canyon.

Take a book... a picnic... maybe some wine? This is a great getaway hike!

2012-06-25 imike