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San Lorenzo Canyon
Lemitar,
New Mexico
(Socorro County)
Last Updated:
07/07/2019
Trail Types
Scout Route
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Trail Information
Highlights
Breathtaking skies and fascinating geological features are the hallmarks of this trail.
A sandstone masterpiece, San Lorenzo Canyon is home to caves, slots, hoodoos, pillars, springs and "slickensides", a geological term for the angular striations in the rock, formed when moving fault blocks ground against each other 7-10 million years ago.
A short drive up the San Lorenzo Arroyo brings you into the lower canyon box, with a spring at its end. San Lorenzo, a desert canyon, hosts saltbush, rabbitbrush, yucca, tree cholla and prickly pear cacti as well as desert bighorn sheep, many bird species including roadrunners, and five (yes, five) types of rattlesnake. So, keep your hands and feet out of places you can't see!
There are countless opportunities for hiking and primitive camping along this pleasant desert trail. There are also many side canyons, slots, niches and crevices making it a great place to get out and explore.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Scott Mitchell
Official Crew
Trail Navigation
Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 11/05/2023
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
For a little variation -- on your return where you exit arroyo at way point 2, just continue east down the arroyo. Easy arroyo drive that takes you to the I-25 Frontage road (high clearance 2WD/4WD). Or, at way point 2, instead of return to the east on bladed road, turn right (west) for a short drive into another spectacular canyon, 2WD. Photos of alternate Las Cabras Canyon.
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 03/28/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Very pretty and unique trail. Took a rental car down there on my trip to White Sands and no issues. Just wash boards. Not off-roading by any means but pretty.
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Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 03/19/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Easier
Simple trail 2wd and passenger car friendly. A great place to pull off the freeway if going through this area and find a wonderful campsite. Area was clean, considerate people/campers, and no graffiti on any rocks we saw. Would recommend as a great place to stretch legs take a few photos or camp in anything RV, Van, rig, or ground tent.
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Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 07/07/2019
Super-scenic trail, very easy to drive. The slot canyons and hoodoos are awesome to see and hike into.
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Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 01/04/2019
Extremely extremely easy Trail went while there was snow on the ground which made it even more enjoyable. It was a nice easy trip. It was nice to get out there end just enjoy the scenery. If you have anything that has a little bit of clearance you will have no issues with this Trail.
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