Mexican Canyon Trestle

(Cloudcroft NM)
Just before town, going up the canyon, there was a pullout to view the Mexican Canyon Trestle. It has been restored, and now functions as part of a hiking trail that was accessible further up on a side road.

Mexican Canyon near Cloudcroft NM

Mexican Canyon Trestle

Originally, the trestle was used by trains that hauled timber out of the mountains to the valley below; and later, passengers that would come up to the mountains in the summer to escape the heat.

Mexican Canyon near Cloudcroft NM

Trestle with Mountain

Mexican Canyon near Cloudcroft NM

Canyon near the Tunnel

About a third of the way coming up US-82 from Alamogordo, there was a pullout just before a tunnel. A rugged canyon view, and a vista of Tularosa Basin with the White Sands National Monument in the distance.

Mexican Canyon near Cloudcroft NM

Cliffs in the Canyon

Mexican Canyon near Cloudcroft NM

Looking toward distant White Sands

The drive up to Cloudcroft was an increase of over 4,300ft in about 15 miles. The grade was not too bad, but was mostly continuous. My small class C motorhome Tardis had no problem. But, consider your rig when taking this route.

Camp: Pecos River boondock
Scene: Mountains, railroad trestle

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6 Responses to Mexican Canyon Trestle

  1. OFM May 1, 2017 at 2:47 pm #

    Excellent report Pleinguy. I went up to the tunnel, to check on my rig, and decided that the continuous grade would be too much for my wimp truck. Coming down from Cloudcroft would be even scarier.

  2. Pleinguy May 1, 2017 at 3:27 pm #

    Yeah; I thought it could be a problem for some. It was the most direct route for me, and I had driven it previously with no issues.

  3. Jan Mains May 1, 2017 at 4:26 pm #

    Are you on your way to the Ranch in Lakewood? It’s a really friendly park.

    • Pleinguy May 1, 2017 at 4:35 pm #

      No. I did consider it as I passed by, though. Others have said the same. I’m way behind on my posts; so, well beyond there now.

  4. Mark W May 2, 2017 at 6:23 am #

    Pleinguy, how did you know the Tardis would be able to handle that grade up to Cloud croft?

    • Pleinguy May 2, 2017 at 8:24 am #

      I had driven this route with Tardis in the past. So, I knew it could be done.

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