Trail Run Project Logo

A shortcut along a hilltop ridge has 360-degree views of the foothills.


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

0.3

Miles

0.5

KM

93%

Runnable

4,300' 1,311 m

High

4,227' 1,288 m

Low

2' 1 m

Up

73' 22 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

Runner Notes

Trails around the Franklin Mountains are often rocky and technical, so userss unfamiliar with rough terrain should use caution. Trail shoes with rock plates are strongly recommended.

El Paso is in the desert, so be wise about the climate. Summers are regularly in the 90's or above, winters will drop to the 30's and 40's. Lightning storms are frequent in the late afternoons during the warmer months. Winds are frequent and gusts over 50 mph are not unusual. Dust storms, strongest in the late spring, can be hazardous and reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile. Check the weather before you go, and let someone know where you will be.

Mountain biking is popular in the Lost Dog area, and while runners have right of way over cyclists, it's often the safer option to step to the side to allow them to pass. Sometimes you'll get thanked, but usually not - but better to be a good user of the trail than to end up in a cactus, tangled in some guy's derailleur.

Description

Three-quarters of a mile after beginning Worm from the north, the main trail descends abruptly on the north side of the ridge, leaving the ridge trail to continue as Worm Shortcut. Much of the surrounding state park and west El Paso can be seen from this trail over the next quarter mile, with views as far as New Mexico and the Juarez Mountains in Mexico.

Shortly before the trail meets up with the end of Worm and Lost Dog Trail to the south, it descends from the ridge. Use care through this section, as the rocks are larger and footing is looser.

Flora & Fauna

The Franklins are filled with desert wildlife and you'll have the chance to see all sorts of plants and animals on trail. Vegetation is best during the rainy months around summer, when the desert blooms and the plants turn green. Jackrabbits, lizards and roadrunners are common, occasionally snakes will be on or near the trail. Watch for rattlers and give them a wild berth. If you get caught out past sundown, you may hear a few coyotes. Their howls are unnerving but they generally leave people alone.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brendan Ross with improvements by Jean-Claude Linossi

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 2 votes

#28927

Overall
  3.0 from 2 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
50%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#778

in Texas

#28,927

Overall
2 Views Last Month
89 Since Aug 20, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

View along the hill ridge of Worm / Worm Shortcut.
Aug 20, 2015 near Canutillo, TX
Creosote bush in bloom and Franklin Mountains
Apr 10, 2020 near Canutillo, TX
View of the gulch
Mar 21, 2018 near Canutillo, 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.