Yerba Canyon, NM

For an extra hit of elevation gain hiking if you are up enjoying Mt. Wheeler (New Mexico's highest peak), stop off and enjoy this peak hike up to Lobo Peak (12,115'). This is just one of a number of trailheads accessing off the road up to the Taos Ski Lodge area, and offers an interesting hike through a narrow, streamlined and tree covered canyon. The hike moves steeply up, crossing the stream a number of times in the first mile before moving off up the right hand canyon side, only to return down to cross the drainage again further up the canyon.


You will climb steeply throughout most of this hike, averaging nearly 1000' per mile for the over 4 mile distance to the peak.At around mile 4, intersect T58 (Manzanita Canyon trail) coming in from the right. The local hiking guide has Yerba ending shortly thereafter on the ridge outcropping(veering away to the left from the main trail and ending around 11,600'), but the Topo Maps give credit to the rest of the trail up to Lobo peak to T61, Yerba Canyon trail. By whatever name you want to call it, continue on to the peak. Outstanding views, and a great feeling of accomplishment.

Be aware of the potential for snow up and through late May, and the water flows related to their spring melt off. The stream crossings are not major, but that is ice cold water.

The trailheads for the variety of these trails leading up to the ridge (and ridge trail 57) are not too far apart on the main road (NM 150). There are a variety of connecting loop options to consider, the primary one being to descend along Trail 58, Manzanita Canyon trail. It would be a short connecting walk along the Rio Hondo next to the paved road.

2009-05-14 imike