Dog Canyon Upper, NM

Dog Canyon: Above The Falls

While Dog Canyon Trail (#106) stands out as the best known and most visited of all the area canyon trails, it only encounters a small part of the overall canyon drainage… there is more to be experienced.


That formal trail heads up and out of the canyon after it crosses the bottom of the cut at the site of the old line cabin. From there it heads north climbing out and onto Joplin Ridge.

Standing at the cabin site, looking up canyon, you gaze upon some very impressive cliffs, split by the towering waterfall formation… and it is hard not to wonder what lies above that cut.

In fact, miles more canyon flow up and away above the Falls, and the section immediately above is a delightful hike.

A great amount of the canyon bottom is scoured bedrock with a selection of mini-falls to scramble over. Though much diminished, the sidewall cliffs add a distinct canyon like feel to the setting.

You can continue to hike all the way up to Westside Road and beyond, though the name of the canyon changes to Road Canyon...?

There are a variety of approaches to access this area, with the easiest likely to be driving Westside Road to Short Ridge, and following the Forest Road (90P) down to it’s terminus above the canyon... then simply hiking down and in.

You can also cut over from the Dog Canyon Trail route… and anywhere along the FR 90B... just head south and find your way down and in.

Wait for Fall and score the added benefit of lots of color...

This may be the best of the canyon sections below West Side Road… and above the lower Cliffs. It takes a bigger effort... but it is worth it!

Check out the Triplogs.

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

2013-05-30 imike