DESCRIPTION:

After the first mile from its lower end, T62 gradually becomes an intermittently steep trail of 30% to 50% gradient.  In 2001, evidence of the 1994 Pancho Canyon Fire, including a scattering of fallen logs across the trail, began at about mile 1.7.  Further on, frequent piles of fallen timber were scrambled over.  Riparian areas were scattered from mile 0.4 to mile 2.4.  At mile 1.0, a stream flowed at about 30 gallons per minute in 1994; when the area was visited in 2001 it was dry, although small puddles existed just down canyon.

 Distant views are best near the lower end.  Very dramatic effects of the forest fire, interesting landforms, and scenery appear along the trail including the “balanced” rock at mile 1.7.  A fascinating scree slope is crossed at mile 3.1 in the upper basin. 

 ACCESS:

 Although, hypothetically, the trail can be accessed from either its lower or upper terminus, the only way to currently reach it and stay on the path for a couple of miles is from its lower trailhead.  From the upper end, although signed, trail tread becomes obscure immediately and, unless one has knowledge of where the path should proceed, getting lost is guaranteed! 

 To reach the lower T 61 trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is needed. Begin in Capitan at the intersection of US380 and NM246. Drive US380 east 8.4 miles to County Road C 002, also signed as FR57. Note two roads going left within about ten feet of each other. The one on the right goes to a picnic area.

 The one on the left, FR57, begins as a well-graveled road and at mile 5.3, passes Baca Campground [Site of a 1930’s CCC camp; ruins are still visible].  At mile 6.3, county road maintenance ends.  County Road C005 begins, and goes straight ahead; but don’t follow it.  Instead, turn left on FR57, an unmaintained road.  Maximum speed here may be 10 mph.  At mile 7.7 is T61, the Pierce Canyon Trail terminus, on the highest point along this road. Beyond this ridge, FR57 deteriorates even more with some severe erosion for another 6.8 miles before reaching FR536 on the left. The lower signed trailhead is accessed by driving, or walking (strongly recommended), the very rough FR536 north 1.0 mile from its beginning off FR57.  Note from Lynn Melton:  We mean ROUGH – big rocks with scrape marks on them where someone bottomed out on this road.]

 At the north end of FR536, an old wooden sign and “hiker sign” mark the trailhead.  Two cairns on the right do not lead to a visible tail.  Stand facing the large rock behind an alligator bark juniper. Scramble uphill, passing to the let of the large rock.  You should reach T62 (and a large cairn) after about 30 yards.