Recreational Activities

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	Additional Hiking Links   Public Lands Information Center www.publiclands.org Leave No Trace www.lnt.org New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors www.nmvfo.org Back Country Horsemen of America www.bchnm.org The Student Conservation Association www.thesca.org International Mountain Bicycling Association www.imba.com New Mexico Department of Game and Fish www.gmfsh.state.nm.us Tread Lightly www.treadlightly.org

Short Hikes in the

Pecos/Las Vegas
Ranger District

Home : About Us : Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District : Hikes

Short Trips

For those who love to hike but can't find the time to go on extended trips, we've got some suggestions.

Holy Ghost Canyon

Walk up Holy Ghost Creek any distance on Trail 283. Return the same way. There are a few easy stream crossings. The first part of the trail is level walking, appropriate for small children. This is a pleasant walk along a stream with good fishing. Trailhead parking is at Holy Ghost Campground (fee required). Horse trailers are not permitted on the Holy Ghost Road. This trail is in the Pecos Wilderness.
Distance: Variable Difficulty: Easy

El Porvenir Canyon

Walk or ride up Trail 247 along El Porvenir Creek any distance and return the same way. This trail has numerous stream crossings which are easy when the water levels are low. It enters a narrow canyon bordered by the thousand foot walls of Hermit's Peak. Trailhead parking is at El Porvenir Campground. This trail is in the Pecos Wilderness.
Distance: Variable Difficulty: Easy during low water

Hamilton Mesa

Walk or ride to Trail 249 that leads to Hamilton Mesa any distance and return the same way. The trail starts in a forested are with views into the canyon on the Mora River and eventually enters open meadows with excellent views. Some of the trail is rocky and uneven. The elevation gain to the first meadow is approximately 400 feet. There is no water along this route. Trailhead parking is at Iron Gate Campground. This trail is in the Pecos Wilderness.
Distance: 4 miles round-trip to meadow and back
Difficulty: Moderate

Apache Canyon

Walk, ride, or bike Trail 175 to Apache Canyon and return the same way. This is a pleasant trip through ponderosa pine forest to a cottonwood-lined stream. There are two short steep sections. There is usually some water in Apache Creek. The trip involves an elevation loss of 300 feet. Parking is on Forest Road 79.
Distance: 3.5 miles round-trip Difficulty: Moderate

Round Mountain

Walk or ride up Trail 25 to the meadows on Round Mountain and return the same way. The trail starts in a forested area, passes by aspen groves, and eventually reaches a large meadow with expansive views. This trip involves a continuous climb. The elevation gain to the meadow is approximately 1,000 feet. There is no water along this route. Trailhead parking is at Jack's Creek (fee required). This trail is in the Pecos Wilderness.
Distance: 7 miles round trip Difficulty: Difficult

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