Lincoln NF- Last Chance Canyon Trip Report

[mountaindocdanny]

The boys and I had originally intended to explore the Capitans last weekend, but decided to avoid the blackpowder deer hunt. We then thought we would head down to Big Bend and do some bushwacking down in the desert, but forecasted highs in the low 90's made this a little less appealing. We ultimately decided to explore the Guadalupes. We went in from the west side of Last Chance Canyon and had a blast. We had high winds and warm temperatures, but it is always hard to pass up on the chance to explore a desert creek. My oldest and I had been here a couple times before on the eastern side, but this was our first trip in from the west. It was great; views, solitude and an outstanding campsite. We did manage to puncture a tire on some sharp limestone on our way out, but otherwise had an uneventful trip. Pictures and a brief trip report:
griffisfamilyoutdoo rs.blogspot.com

-Danny

[presidio]

We went in from the west side of Last Chance Canyon and had a blast. My oldest and I had been here a couple times before on the eastern side, but this was our first trip in from the west.

A truly great canyon. Have you seen the old pump engine in the bottom?

[mountaindocdanny]

We saw all the pump workings. They have been doing some recent work sandbagging an area to deepen it for the pump intakes. Also some relatively recent electrical lines and boxes were there.

[riko]

I have been in Last Chance many times from the east up to the pumphouse.  It really is an amazing place and somewhat unexpected. The Cottonwoods are very beautiful about this time of year too.  How did you find the western trailhead and were you lucky to have had just one flat tire?

[mountaindocdanny]

There is a good description for the western trailhead in the Lincoln National Forest Trail Guide by John Stockert. Also another on the Lincoln National Forest website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln/recreation/d3-hiking.shtml

The road in isn't that bad, although you at least need high clearance. Down by the pumphouse itself there is anough loose rock that I used 4WD, though I might have been OK without it. I'm not sure if I got the flat from creeping along the two-track or doing 50 mph down the gravelled roads. I suspect it was the latter.