Archives for posts with tag: Aldo Leopold Wilderness

2015-02-07 West Railroad Canyon (Black Range)

February 11, 2015 //
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View from Crest into West Railroad Canyon
View from Crest into West Railroad Canyon

Overview:

West Railroad Canyon (Trail 128) is a wonderful hike. Numbered among its attractions are easy access to the trailhead, running water, eye-catching terrain and a clear trail of very reasonable length and steady gains. Long-time hikers may point to the neighboring Gallinas Canyon or East Railroad Canyon, both of which share the running water (in its lowest reaches) and can claim many of the same attractions. This is true, but West Railroad Canyon remains a standout because the 2013 Silver Fire did minimal damage along this waterway. Regrettably, the same can not be said for its neighbors.

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Categories Aldo Leopold Wilderness, New Mexico

2015-01-11 Gallinas Canyon (Black Range)

January 24, 2015 //
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Open and rolling terrain (if badly burned) near the saddle on the Black Range Crest
Open and rolling terrain (badly burned) near the saddle on the Black Range Crest

Overview:

The Black Range in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness was severely burned in 2013. The Gallinas Canyon Trail #128 (gallinas is Spanish for “hens”) gives you a tour along the western edge of the disaster. There are stretches where little is left but grass and standing char, but don’t despair. The fire burned mosaic fashion, leaving patches of still-green trees threaded by a beautiful stream in a remarkably mellow alpine environment. This is relatively open terrain and it is laced by numerous side canyons that invite further exploration. Moreover, this trail has received careful attention from trail builders since the fire. It is in much better condition than the trail up the neighboring East Railroad Canyon. Most of the improvements seem to end at the new corral in the upper canyon, so it seems reasonable to guess that the horse-riding community has been active here along with the Forest Service. They deserve our thanks. Gallinas Canyon might make an excellent doorstep for those seeking entrance to the unburned northwest corner of the Wilderness.

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Categories Aldo Leopold Wilderness, New Mexico