Hay Canyon From FR144 Hike
In Jemez Mountains Region
Map File Source: DeLorme
Hike Key: H10490Last Updated: 01/26/2023 2:26pm
Last Updated By: Marilyn Warrant
Hike Class: B (Moderate)
Hike Distance: 4.4 mi
Minimum Elevation: 8480 ft
Elevation Change: 320 ft
Total Uphill: 590 ft
Total Downhill: 590 ft
Avg. Grade: 7 %
Route Type: CCW Loop
On Trail: No
Paved or Gravel Roads: No
GPS Advised: Yes
Drive Distance Round Trip: 160 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 1:45
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
New Mexico Game Unit: 6A
Hike Status: Waiting Editor
Attractions: Forest, Meadows, Rock Formations, Views, and Wildflowers
Highlights
This is a pleasant valley hike with an overlook to Cebolla valley below where you may find wildflowers in the spring and summer.
CautionsNone.
Trailhead Directions
From Albuquerque go North on I-25 to exit 242 (Bernalillo), west on US 550 to San Ysidro. North on SR 4 to La Cueva. Take SR 126 west of La Cueva about four miles to Forest Road FR 144. It is about a mile past sign, “Hot Dry Rock Site” (geothermal site) on the left. Take a right, and drive north on the rocky FR 144 about six miles and park at the junction of FR 380 (SR 127) off to the left.
Actual Hike
From PARK (0.0 mi) take the two track west TO HAY (0.4 mi) and go right, leaving the two track. You will find a faint road angling upward. At TRAIL UP (0.6 mi) leave the road and go straight up and over the ridge, then down to DOWN HAY (0.9 mi) and go left down the pine lined valley to the VIEWPOINT (1.8 mi). This gives you a great view down Cebolla canyon below, which ends at the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery.This is a good place for lunch.
Turn back the way you came and go up Hay Canyon, which may have numerous wildflowers to TO PARK (3.3 mi). Go right up the distinct road to the intersection with a TRAIL (3.6 mi) and go right. Follow the trail back to the road that goes down Oak, turn left and back to PARK.
Comments
This is a pleasant valley hike where you may find wildflowers in the spring and summer.
WaypointsNORTH: N 35 56.972, W 106 39.012
PARK: N 35 56.896, W 106 38.703
TO HAY: N 35 56.780, W 106 39.065
TRAIL UP: N 35 56.860, W 106 39.257
DOWN HAY: N 35 57.028, W 106 39.387
VIEWPOINT: N 35 56.812, W 106 40.217
TO PARK: N 35 57.290, W 106 38.775
TRAIL: N 35 57.158, W 106 38.659
Hike GPS File Name: HayCanyonFromFR144WayTrack_DBDB.gpx
Hike GPS File: Click link to download hike waytrack file
Text Author: Dick Brown
Map Author: Dick Brown
Waypoints Author: Dick Brown
Track Author: Dick Brown
Maintainer: Marilyn Warrant
Editor: Howard Carr