February 4, 2023
Oliver Lee State Park, with campground seen above, is just outside of Alamogordo, New Mexico. It contains the trailhead for Dog Canyon Trail #106. The hike goes into Lincoln National Forest, and it is located in the Sacramento Mountains. Some details are provided in a little handout available at the Visitor Center. I stopped there to obtain information. There was a little welcome event going on, with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available as well as some breads and cookies! The staff were very friendly and helpful in describing the hike.
The info provided by the park differs some from the info available on the website AllTrails. AllTrails has the trail slightly longer with a greater gain of elevation. I cannot say who is closer to the truth, but according to the park, the trail is 5.5 miles one-way with an elevation gain of 3100’, while AllTrails says it is 10.3 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 3500’. Bottom line, it is a long hike with a lot of climbing!
A couple notes about it.
There are some climbing sections and some sections that are flat or nearly flat. I would approximate these as:
1. Steep Climbing: Mile 0 to 0.6
2. Gradual climbing: 0.6 to 1.9
3. Steep climbing: 1.9 to 2.4
4. Flat: 2.5 to 2.8
5. Downhill 2.8 to 2.9
6. Steepest climbing 2.9 to 4.4
7. Flat to gradual rolling 4.4 to 5.5
The footing on most of the trail is rough, some very rough. I recommend sturdy boots! The exceptions are sections 4 and 7 as listed above, which are narrow, single track dirt through grasslands. All other sections have uneven bedrock and/or uneven dirt covered with ample rock steps, rocks not in steps (just in their natural position), or scree (smaller sized loose rocks). I’d call the surface challenging, pointing out one must really keep an eye of where one’s feet are going.
There is a section called “The Eyebrow” from about 2.9 to 3.7 that is quite steep, with numerous switchbacks, uneven footing, and lots of scree along the way. There is also a good deal of vegetation growing along this section of trail, such that long pants are advised rather than shorts, unless you want to get scratched up some, as was the case for me. I was told this section could be intimidating due to narrow trail along cliffs and sharp drop-offs. I was surprised to find it was not intimidating. I found the trail to not be overly narrow, and although there is a drop-off to the side, it is not of a straight down nature. There is a sharp pitched drop-off, yes, and if you fell it would be troublesome, but you are not going to fall. I had envisioned a narrow trail along cliffs, where one had to scramble holding onto rocks and what-not, but that is not the case. If heights scare you, just look at the trail, and continue on diligently. Stop and look around, enjoy the spectacular scenery of the cliff walls and the canyon vista.
That said, this trail is strenuous. You need to be able to hike up steep grades, you need to be physically fit.
I carried three quarts water and 40 ounces Gatorade. I drank two quarts and 20 ounces Gatorade. The hike took me about six hours, almost evenly distributed going up and down. Going up is harder on the lungs and muscles. Coming down, which I think is more dangerous, is harder on the joints. The scree is more dangerous when walking downhill, too.
So, about the hike. It is spectacular! It was magical. Right from the get-go, one starts climbing. I was first impressed with the site of the campground below. It is a swift climb to higher altitude, and the views of both the valley below and the limestone cliffs are amazing. As you hike, you soon have a view of the valley and of White Sands National Park in the distance. You are surrounded by limestone cliffs rising 1500’ above you on your left, right, and center. It’s breathtaking! And if the climbing seems difficult, remember there are significant breaks on the flat area, where you can recover. Like life there are hard parts and easy parts. The hard parts help build strength, eventually, let your mind and spirit persevere!
There is a wonderful sensation of integrating one’s body, mind, and spirit in an activity that brings a sense of wonder, enjoyment, and fulfillment. Like, this is where I am supposed to be, on each of those dimensions.
I also learned that the view of the cliffs/mountains that one has from the campground and visitor center is not the true picture of what lay ahead. There are meadows! Meadows with golden, grassy vegetation, blooming cactus, and trees! All surrounded by the ever-present panoramic view of the cliffs. It’s quite dramatic.
So, get your mind, heart, and body ready; bring plenty of water/electrolytes, as well as some convenient food; bring a friend, or hike alone. Go. Have. Fun!
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