|
|
 |
 |
Recreational Activities
Home : Ranger
Districts : Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger
District : Trails
Trail 250 Rociada Trail
 
Length: 10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Use: Moderate-Light
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Highest and Lowest Points: 11,400 feet and 9,200 feet
Trail Access: Hamilton Mesa Trail 249, Skyline Trail 251
USGS Maps: Elk Mountain, Pecos Falls, Rociada
Fee for Trailhead Parking: $2.00 fee for parking at Iron Gate
Trailhead
Trailhead Facilities: Corrals, restrooms, and information board
at Iron Gate Trailhead.
Description:
From Iron Gate Campground take Hamilton Mesa Trail 249 to
this trail. The Rociada Trail splits off to the right after
one mile. The trail drops two miles down the hillside through
mixed confer forests as a gentle grade to the meadows of the
Rio Mora. To get to Las Trampas
or Los Esteros Trails, double
back and cross the river as soon as you reach the flats and
head downstream. To get to the Rio Valdez and the main portion
of Mora Flats, continue upriver on the Rociada Trail. Remain
on the west bank and travel north for one mile to the junction
with the Valdez Trail 224. The
Valdez Trail goes straight up the Rio Valdez from this point.
After this junction, the Rociada Trail recieves little use.
The trail crosses the Valdez and travels up the Rio Mora for
about a mile to the obscure junction with Bordo
del Medio Trail 252. The trails can be difficult to follow
in the underbrush. There are also many side trails made by
fishermen. The Rociada Trail bears right at the junction with
the Bordo del Medio Trail and crosses the Rio Mora and the
Rito del Oso.
The climb out of the river bottom along the Rito del Oso
is very steep, rocky, eroded and has multiple trails. The
trail enters meadows slightly before the junction with Skyline
251 and can be difficult to follow. Continuing to climb
to the ridgeline will bring one to the trail junction. The
Rociada Trail crosses the ridgeline, passes through an area
of stunted trees and rocks where it may be difficult to follow,
and then descends a series of well-designed switchbacks toward
the Sparks Canyon area. The trail eventually intersects an
old road which, followed to the south, will bring one to the
county road in Maestas Canyon. The trail is entirely on National
Forest land. The road to the county road crosses private land
in the last 1/2 mile. |
Notes:
 This
trail is in the Pecos Wilderness. Motorized equipment and
mechanized transportation, including mountain bikes, hunter
carts, and chainsaws are prohibited.
Please
use existing campsites. All campsites must be located a minimun
of 50 feet from the rivers.
This
trail does not recieve annaul maintenance east of Mora Flats.
|
|
|
|
