Copper Canyon Trail #10

Dogs Unknown

Ridable as a loop using FR235 for the AM crowd, or as a shuttle to avoid the road for the DH crowd. The preferred lower parking area is the Water Canyon picnic area.

From the top, the trail starts at the North Baldy Trail #8 intersection on FR235. The Magdalena Ridge Observatory 2.4m Telescope is visible to your left, just past South Baldy Peak. The first 100 yards of Trail #8 are uphill, but the rest of the run is predominantly downhill or flat.

Proceed down North Baldy Trail #8 for approximately one mile. As you exit the trees to your second clearing, look for a sign to your right noting the start of Trail #10 - Copper Canyon. The trail starts at the ridge line and descends 3300ft over 5 miles to Water Canyon campground. The trail can be split into three distinct sections:

The upper section is challenging with steep grades (some switchbacks help this a little) and very narrow singletrack. Cross slopes on either side of the 6-8 inch wide trail are pretty steep.

The middle section widens out and has loose rocks and rocky sections and passes an old prospector cabin along with a few creek crossings.

The lower section is a wide and smooth track over mineral soil and pine needles. Mind the barb wire fencing on your left for the last half mile of the trail.

A short section of high-clearance doubletrack connects the trailhead to the campground area.