Our first camping trip of the year will be Saturday and Sunday, April 26th and 27th in Dog Canyon. There are tent sites and RV sites available in the camp grounds. Some of us will backpack up and spend the night on the trail near the old rock cabin.
Those of you that do not wish to spend the night can come out on Sunday and enjoy a day hike. Dog Canyon offers both a moderately strenuous hike and an easy hike along the Raparian nature Trail.
Scenic Chihuahuan Desert terain, rugged hiking and a snapshot of Old West history await visitors at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. This area was once home to Apaches and one of New Mexico's most influential ranchers.
The park visitor center includes exibits about ranchers and former state legislator Oliver Milton Lee, and the area's ecology and former inhabitants.
Dog Canyon is one of several canyons in the steep western escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains. This moderately strenuous trail climbs the canyon's south slope for the first 3 miles, gaining about 1,400 feet, before arriving at a grassy oasis of cottonwoods, willows and the stream. Moky will have difficulty on this trail.
This trail is essentially the same one used for over 4000 years first by prehistoric people seeking a route into the mountains, later by Apaches, and then by historic ranchers. The scenery is grand every step of the way, be sure to bring your camera to capture the harsh beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert, and the limestone cliffs that soar more than 3,000 feet above.
At about the three mile point, you will see the remains of a small rock cabin built by ranchers in about 1930. But don't stop here, because you will miss out on more fantastic scenery. Continue on past the cabin for about another mile and a half before returning to the trail head.
What: Hike/Camp in Dog Canyon
When: Saturday, April 26
Meet:
- Backpackers
- Meet on Saturday, April 26th at 7:45am in the northwest corner of the Walmart located near the intersection of U.S. 54 and Transmountain Road. Be prepared to depart promptly at 8:00am. You can also meet us in the visitor's center of Oliver Lee State Park at 9:00am.
- Hikers
- Meet on Sunday, April 27th at 7:45am in the northwest corner of the Walmart located near the intersection of U.S. 54 and Transmountain Road. Be prepared to depart promptly at 8:00am. You can also meet us in the visitor's center of Oliver Lee State Park at 9:00am.
- RVers
- Can go up Friday night or Saturday morning.
Difficulty: Difficult to moderately strenuous -- This is not a hike for Moky.
Bring: Sunscreen, water, hiking stick, trail snacks, camera, and cash in small, unmarked bills for the park entry fee.
Fees: There is a park entry fee. Approximately $5.00 per vehicle. Change for large bills may be limited, so bring plenty of small unmarked bills.
Notes:
- Dress according to weather conditions, and, as always, be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions.
- If you choose to hike with your dog, then make sure you have enough water for BOTH you and your trusty trail companion.
- Campers: There are burn restrictions in effect. No Open Fires. We can use camp stoves.
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