San Lorenzo Canyon
- Details
Located about an hour south of Albuquerque on BLM land, San Lorenzo Canyon offers a short & easy trip for those looking to backpack with someone inexperienced, children, or anyone just looking for a simple trip. There is only about a mile and a half of canyon before the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (which is off limits without permission), so the canyon offers the possibility of a Friday night hike in allowing almost two full days of day hiking. Campsites with a nice view can be found with an eye upward and the willingness to do a little light scrambling. Water is tough to find so plan accordingly during the drier seasons.
Directions:
Take exit 156 off I-25 for Lemitar and head to the west to the service station to stock up on beef jerky and water. When your finished shopping take the service road North that runs parallel to I-25, on the West side approx. 5 miles. When the road makes a sharp turn to the East take the left on a maintained dirt road. In approx. 2 miles you will see a sign on the right to San Lorenzo Canyon. If you are in a four wheel drive take this road as far as you see fit (if you are so inclined you can drive all the way up the canyon). If you are in a two wheel drive back up to one of the dirt roads and head up a little ways until you find suitable parking. Wherever you park, just head West in the wash to the mouth of the canyon.