Trail Run Project Logo

A scenic and moderately technical trail through dense West Texas sotols.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.0

Miles

3.2

KM

97%

Runnable

4,702' 1,433 m

High

4,553' 1,388 m

Low

220' 67 m

Up

97' 30 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

Description

Sotol Forest's northern end starts at an intersection with Newman Trail, a few feet from a dry river bed. A sign marks the trail's beginning. The turnoff to Coyote Ugly is just across the riverbed and is unmarked, but easy to find. Sotol's singletrack continues southbound. The path is moderately technical and winding, but is a manageable run and doesn't feature any of the steep climbs of other foothill trails. When runners aren't dodging larger rocks, they'll find the trail gritty and sandy. All of these factors combine to make this a trail which is challenging to pick up speed on.

True to its name, Sotol Forest is surrounded by the sharp yuccas characteristic of the West Texas desert, along with lechugillas, cacti, and other plants. In some cases, they will grow out into the trail, so step cautiously - their leaves can be very sharp and sturdy.

Around the mile mark, the trail makes a short, easy climb to a nice viewpoint of the east side of El Paso. It then crosses an arroyo and cuts west, circling a scenic canyon. The last section is a little smoother than the first mile, but still features some rocky areas. Sotol Forest ends at a three-way intersection with Rock Shock and Scenic Road. Signs mark all three trails.

Flora & Fauna

As the east side Franklin trails move from the desert to the foothills, a greater variety of plantlife can be found. Nowhere is this more apparent than on Sotol Forest, which cuts through hundreds of its namesake plants, along with several other types of desert flora.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brendan Ross with improvements by Jean-Claude Linossi

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 3 votes

#10547

Overall
  4.3 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#187

in Texas

#10,547

Overall
2 Views Last Month
425 Since Oct 4, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
50%
0%
50%
0%

Photos

Beginning of trail
Nov 29, 2020 near Westway, TX
Looking SW on the trail
Jan 17, 2020 near Westway, TX

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.