July Canyon, NM

The ATV over use of this area makes hiking in the drainages without any ATV use highly desirable. This canyon provides just that bit of advantage. July Canyon links the Wills Canyon Trail area with a variety of hiking options, including the peak wherein the Upper Wills Canyon Trail, Willy White Trail, Logging Road 6411 and 6th Gate Logging Road all intersect.

The Map does not show the connections correctly. 6th Gate Road does not loop around and down July Canyon... it terminates well up the drainage. The old trail shown on some of the topos, labeled 5008B, is there, crossing 6th Gate and climbing up to hit logging road 6411. But... the nicer hike is to follow the cut a bit further east, terminating right on top of the mountain. From there you can go west off Logging Road 6411... or, head down Willy White Trail to Water Canyon. Or, head down Willy White Trail towards Bluff Springs. Or, head down Upper Wills Canyon trail towards Hubbell Canyon Trail... or, head down Willy White Canyon! You could also simply head back around on 6th Gate Logging road. The better loops will be the ones composed of the off trail routes.

To enter July canyon, hike down Wills Canyon trail past 6th Gate Canyon (the first major canyon on your left)... here in 2012 clearly marked with Illegal Trail signs (telling motorized traffic to stay out)... to the second marked canyon on your left: July Canyon. On the map it is the one with the old trail 5008B shown to run the length.

This area abounds in Elk and Deer. Hit the trail early and enjoy.

If you take your mountain bike, this area might be best enjoyed by looping down 6th Gate road...connecting with July Canyon for a nice return loop around and up 6411. You might have to walk your bike up the hill to the road, but once there, you will have a pleasantly rolling route back to FR64.

Check out the Triplog.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2012-10-09 imike