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Recreational Activities
Home : Ranger
Districts : Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger
District : Trails
Trail 243 
Length: 3 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Use: Light
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Highest and Lowest Points: 10,800 feet and 9,840 feet
Trail Access: Consult map for trails intersecting Trail 243
USGS Maps: Cowles, Truchas Peak
Description:
At the far noth end of Horsethief Meadows, the trail turns
to the west side of Horsethief Creek. The trail across the
swampy meadow may not be obvious at this point. Upon reaching
the woods at the edge of the meadow, there are two trails.
The trail heading north alongside Horsethief Creek is Trail
253 to the Rio Medio. The trail turning west is Trail 243
to Panchuela West. Neither trail is signed at this point.
Within a quarter mile, Trail 243 crosses a small tributary
of Horsethief Creek and begins the steep ascent out of the
canyon. The trail follows this stream up a drainage for half
a mile before crossing it once again and ascending rapidly
up the ridge. Multiple trails can be found in sections where
the trail has been rerouted around some of the larger trees
that have fallen over the trail. At the top of the ridge,
an open meadow is encountered where the trail tread may fade
out and some time may be spent in relocating the trail. The
trail swings slightly north at this point and travels to a
lower saddle before turning west to follow a small drainage
down the valley to the Rio Frijoles. Cattle can normally be
seen grazing in the open grassy meadows that characterize
Panchuela West. |
Notes:
 This
trail is in the Pecos Wilderness. Motorized equipment and
mechanized transportation, including mountain bikes, hunter
carts, and chainsaws are prohibited.
This
trail, which is steep and difficult to follow, has npt been
maintained in years. Expect it to be difficult to follow,
with many trees down on the trail. The number of obstacles
on the trail plus the steepness of the terrainmake is unsuitable
for horses. |
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