Fenceline Canyon, NM

Most hikers never find this tucked away drainage, even though many pass right by its wide, meadow bottom. Early along the Hubbell Canyon Trail, this side canyon merges along a sharp canyon curve, fenced off from Hubbell. If you were to walk over, cross the fence and follow the fenceline up the canyon, you would discover a very pleasant drainage area, often filled with grazing elk and deer. This is part of the old route for the upper section of the Upper Wills Canyon Trail, now discontinued.

Shortly up canyon, the drainage bends sharply left, following the fence line. Bull Elk Trail continues on up straight.

Turning the bend, the open meadow area continues up and eventually becoming narrow and tree filled, shortly after the fence line is cross fenced off.

Once into the trees, the valley rises a bit more steeply, continuing up to the top of the ridge along Forest Road 64. The canyon top intersects the road all along the area adjacent to the Overlook Ridge Trail area.

Beginning at the top, You could walk off forest road 64 at the Overlook Ridge trail, heading east, and drop immediately into the upper section of Fence Line Canyon. I think the better option is to hike up the canyon, but to avoid the over use of the upper portion of Hubbell Canyon, it is a nice alternative to hike down this drainage to connect further down that Official Trail.

For a nice, easy loop... hike down Campsite Cut Canyon... loop around and up Fence Line Canyon to FR 64... Cross the road and loop the Overlook Loop... then walk FR 64 the short distance back to your car at the Campsite.

You may also connect easily along the Hubbell Canyon Trail... .5 miles down from the Trailhead at FR 64.

Lots of connecting options... all good!

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2012-10-18 imike