Trail Overview

This is a challenging, but fun loop trail through Iron Canyon that begins where EP 11 meets Garlock Road. The beginning is sandy and rutted, becoming rocky and challenging about a mile in, where a couple of obstacles will have you leaning to one side. After passing through Iron Canyon, you'll climb for a short amount of time, yielding an amazing view of the El Paso Mountains and peaks. As you snake your way back towards Garlock Road, the trail becomes a mix of hard-packed sand and rock. Less than a mile from the trailhead, you'll pass a few dispersed campsites as well as a makeshift graveyard memorial for the loved ones of locals. Please respect this area, but enjoy the trail. 4WD and mud-terrain tires are recommended.

Photos of Iron Canyon

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Difficulty

The first part of the trail through Iron Canyon is sandy and extremely rocky. The rest of the trail is moderate, but requires a keen eye and an occasional spotter.

History

Most of the trails in the El Paso Mountains are filled with the gold mining history of the Rand Mining District. The Rand Desert Museum in nearby Randsburg, a former mining town, is the unofficial record keeper of the history of the area. Please visit www.randdesertmuseum.com for more information.

Technical Rating

Scott Weis

Oct 11, 2025

Open

We were exiting through Iron canyon because we found so many trails with deep washed out ruts on a lot of canyon section getting to the Narrows from Last Chance Canyon. Basically, just above where Iron Canyon Meets Sheep Springs on the way to Garlock Rd. There is a very rutted, washed out section with really only two lines. On the left, basically a buggy line of steep rock, ruts and boulder. Or the right, for daring off roaders, that were short on gas, UGH. a steep, washed out dirt section 4 feet wide, 3 feet deep, a steep spot about 20 feet long, connecting the rest of Iron Canyon to Garlock Rd. With probably zero chance of going back up. Luckily, There were no tire tracks on any of this section. But there were tracks below where someone had come up the canyon, to a surprise. We made it down with our 3 pretty built jeeps, but it was sketchy, and luckily, the rest of the canyon to the road was just fine. Somehow the floods only affected the crazy section mentioned. Be careful out there. Sorry, no photos.

Ryan Eby

Nov 20, 2023

Open