Coyote Ugly

Coyote Ugly is one of several east-west trails connecting the desert flatlands with the foothills of the Franklins. On its eastern end, the trail begins west of the Bowen Ranch roundhouse, paralleling a former dirt road. Keep right at the sign for Mad Cow, and right again at the visible remains of a camping area near the start of Boulder Dash. The trail crosses the dirt road and proceeds north. The path is semi-rocky and winds frequently. Ugly doubles back in a hairpin before crossing a rocky creek bed and passing the western end of Tu Madre. The remaining mile of the trail is a steady, but easy, climb to the foothills. As it climbs, the trail smoothes out some and becomes less rocky. A nice view of the Franklins spreads out to the west. Coyote Ugly ends at Sotol Forest, near a creekbed crossing and the connections to Newman Trail and Rocky Road. Unlike other area trails, there's no sign marking Coyote Ugly, so watch for the turnoff just after the crossing if beginning on this side.