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A short sidetrack through a rare grassy section of the desert.


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Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.9

KM

93%

Runnable

4,462' 1,360 m

High

4,344' 1,324 m

Low

27' 8 m

Up

118' 36 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

The Chuck Heinrich area's southernmost trail runs along the fence marking the boundary with Castner Range, a former artillery area used by Army forces at Ft. Bliss. Overgrown with knee-high grass, an unusual feature in the Chihuahuan Desert, it doesn't have much to recommend it other than a change of pace from the rockier trails to the north.

The trail's western turnoff begins at an intersection with Cardiac Hill and South Cardiac Hill. The beginning is unmarked and faint; watch for a break in vegetation heading due south. The dense grass growth can make the trail hard to follow at times, but the western half is generally smooth and quick to run on. As the trail nears a short hill, it becomes somewhat rocky, requiring careful footing.

The path eventually crosses a dry creek bed before climbing back up to Cardiac Hill. A rusted car body in the washout marks the trail for westbound runners, a helpful marker.

Flora & Fauna

Sotols, yuccas, creosote bushes, mesquite and cacti. Rabbits and birds.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brendan Ross with improvements by Jean-Claude Linossi

Trail Ratings

  2.5 from 2 votes

#44235

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

#1,517

in Texas

#44,235

Overall
7 Views Last Month
361 Since Sep 29, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Looking west from the trail, opuntias in the foreground.
Mar 16, 2018 near Westway, TX
View of Cardiac hill in the winter
Dec 31, 2018 near Westway, TX
View of Franklin Mountains from the trail.
Mar 6, 2020 near Westway, TX
Interesting striated rock formations along Cardiac Hill.
Oct 22, 2015 near Westway, TX
View of  Franklin Mountains from the trail and poppies in bloom.
Mar 6, 2020 near Westway, TX

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