Fourth of July Loop

From NM 337 in Tajique, take Forest Service Road 55 about seven miles to the Fourth of July Campground. The road to the parking area can be difficult during wet or cold months. At the east end of the parking lot, the trailhead points east into the Manzano mountains, following the path of a small creek for several miles. Bigtooth maples line the canyon for the majority of the loop, exploding into brilliant oranges, reds, yellows, and purples in the fall. Though the hike is moderately strenuous, there are some rocky spots which may be slippery due to the moisture from the creek. The total hike includes around 800 feet of elevation gain.