Crest/Whitewater Canyon

Hike Name: Crest/Whitewater Canyon Location: southwest NM Length: 22 Submitted by: Don Hirschenhofer Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more New Mexico trail reviews New Mexico national parks New Mexico state parks
For more trail descriptions and topo maps, try a Free Trial Offer from Trails.com

Description
A moderate to difficult climb the for the first five miles from Sandy Point (9200') to Hummingbird Saddle (10,500'). Trail passes through old growth fir and spruce forest with aspen groves present. Very large aspen trees. Good campsites are limited until you get close to the saddle. A large variey of fungi reside in area with brillient colors. Also, evidence of elk, deer, and bear was quite prevelent on hike. At saddle begin 17 mile leg down Whitewater canyon. Excellent spring on trail 1000' from saddle. First 2-3 miles extremely steep through old growth fir and spruce. At this point the trail runs alongwith the Whitewater Creek, with several crossings required (approx 45) over the next 14 miles.
Good campsite area at Redstone Park (approx 5 mi from Saddle) and at north leg of DeLouche Trail (anothe r 5 miles). Remaining 4-5 mies has a few creek crossings and is
easier than previous, also altitude is down to 5,000-6,000'. Stark
vegetative changes are
encountered as you decend passing through
Ponderosa Pine into a high dessert woodland of cedar and Pinyon, with Sycamore along the creek. Some evidence of mining activity 100 years ago as well as a forest Service airplane crash site are long this last 5 miles. Finish at Whitewater Picnic Grounds 5 miles outside of Glenwood NM.

Directions to Hike
From Silver City take US 180 North (west) approx 67 miles to Alma, NM (4 miles north of Glenwood) turn east onto NM 159 through Mogollon (ghost town) to Sandy Point (approximately 16 miles). Sandy Point is the Trailhead for the Crest Trail.

Contact Information
Gila Nat'l Forest

(505)388-8201

submit a new trail review

---

About Our Reviews

Many people ask us to recommend a place to go hiking. Instead of us deciding what places are best, we let the backpacking community help out. The reviews on budget-travels-tips.com have been submitted by our viewers. Some reviews are positive and some are negative. If you don't agree with a review, feel free to submit your own trail review.