Cottonwood Flat

Total Miles
12.5

Elevation

2,421.08 ft

Duration

0.75 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

This trail is a through trail beginning at Virden Road off Hwy 70 N, 15 min past Tularosa, and ending on La Luz Canyon Road. Elevation ranges from 5,900 to 7,825, and in winter months expect a snowy and muddy trail requiring 4WD in some areas. There are various dispersed camp sites closer to the La Luz side of the trail. Forest Service Road 9207 Ys left at around two miles. This trail will go higher in elevation and lead to Co Road B017 (Nogal Canyon Road). This road leads back to Hwy 70. At almost seven miles, you can veer right, back to La Luz Canyon, or left up in elevation to Laboricita Canyon Road that dead ends a few miles up. Overall, this is a nice trail that's rocky and muddy with signs of wildlife and large pine trees. There are not many areas to pass or pull out along the trail.

Difficulty

The trail is easy, but there are almost no opportunities to pass. Some steep grades and washouts create a slow-moving and muddy track.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

John K
Feb 21, 2024
4x4
Open
From US 70 ignore all of the private property signs (there's a lot) as long as you stay on route its a public road to the national forest. Tons of free camping in the forest, just look for the campfire rings.
Travis Hanson
Oct 12, 2023
2016 GMC Sierra
Open
Normal
Adam Netherton
Sep 17, 2023
4x4
Open
Dusty
Muddy/Wet
Wes Harper
Aug 19, 2023
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty

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