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Map Key

6.0

Miles

9.6

KM

95%

Runnable

9,193' 2,802 m

High

8,726' 2,660 m

Low

684' 208 m

Up

493' 150 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

Need to Know

Use Benson Ridge Road (Forest Road 223) from the Sunspot Highway (State Road 6563) to get to the trailhead. The road is a combination of dirt, rock and gravel. It takes about 50 minutes to drive the 8.5 miles to the trailhead. Do not try to use Dark Canyon Road (Forest Road 232) from the Cox Canyon Highway (State Road 130) to get to the trailhead, it is closed to the public. While traveling Benson Ridge FR 223 toward the trail heads, avoid NF 233 as it branches off to connect to Dark Canyon Road FR 232. The trail heads are not accessible from NF 233. Stay on FR 223 to the trail heads.

Runner Notes

Easy running surface.

Description

The Dark Canyon begins and ends at Forest Road 223 (the trail heads are 0.9 miles apart on Forest Road 223). The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Motorcycle Trail Riding

Flora & Fauna

Mixed conifer, Engelmann Spruce, Ponderosa Pine, Pinyon/Juniper and wild flowers. Found numerous bird feathers on the ground and saw wood peckers and hawks.

Contacts

Shared By:

Bruce Hilmes with improvements by Joe Taylor

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 2 votes

#1752

Overall
  5.0 from 2 votes
5 Star
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Trail Rankings

#29

in New Mexico

#1,752

Overall
2 Views Last Month
81 Since Aug 8, 2021
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Just past the trailhead.
Jul 19, 2023 near Alamogordo, NM
About 1 mile from the trailhead.
Jul 20, 2023 near Alamogordo, NM
East Trailhead for T5700-Dark Canyon Trail on FR223. This loop trail has another trailhead about 0.9 miles west.
Jul 20, 2023 near Alamogordo, NM

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