Carson National Forest
Hart Canyon Trail

Canjilon Ranger District

Elevations:

• Trail Beginning: 7,500 ft
• Trail End: 6,600 ft

To get here, go to Forest Road 145 (54 miles north of Espanola, 36 miles south of Chama) on US 84, then turn west. There is a trail marker sign there that will direct you to Hart Canyon Trail. The first 3 miles of the road cross private property so stay on the road.

Hart Canyon Trail is a very scenic trail that leaves the Ponderosa highlands along the canyon rim and descends into the pinon and juniper country of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. This 6 mile trail drops 400 feet in the first half mile through several switchbacks. These switchbacks offer some great vistas looking out over the Chama River and the Wilderness Area.

No motorized equipment or vehicles are allowed on the trail or in the wilderness area. While most folks use this trail in the spring, summer and fall, it may not be negotiable in snowy or rainy weather.

Rating: The first 1/2 mile is difficult because of the steep climb but the rest of the trail is easy to moderate (until, of course, you start back out and reach the bottom of that final rise up to the canyon rim).