North Hills Dam Trail

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Trails around the Franklin Mountains are often rocky and technical, so users unfamiliar with rough terrain should use caution. Trail shoes with rock plates are strongly recommended.

El Paso is in the desert, so plan around the climate. Summers are regularly in the 90's or above; winters will drop to the 30's and 40's. Lightning storms are frequent in the late afternoons during the warmer months. Check the weather before you go, and let someone know where you will be.

Except for longer routes accessed via Northern Pass or Mundy's Gap, visitors reach all trails in the eastern Franklin Mountains system through the North Hills Dam Trail. Park at the south end of Chuck Heinrick Park. While the trail is typically joined just west of the parking area, the GPS track here begins at the northern end, where it connects to Levee Loop.

The trail proceeds from the corner of Levee Loop as a wide gravel doubletrack, crossing over paved concrete portions of the dam in some sections. As a completely manmade feature, the path is as flat and easy as a trail comes. Strangely, five turnstile gates are placed along the path; slow down when passing through these as rust keeps some from moving quickly enough to keep up with a fast pace.

Two segments connecting the main trail to the park are found after the second and fourth turnstiles. The southern segment is the main connection from the parking lot to the trail. Don't forget to stop at the pay station if using the north access point.

The dam trail ends at a pay station at the junction with Fence Line. From here it is a short distance to the "real" east side trails.

There is not much in the way of vegetation here. Some baccharis, chilopsis and mesquite.