SPECIAL NOTE:  Eight of the 10 miles of road accessing the lower T53 trailhead from Carrizozo are privately owned.  A locked gate blocks access, but a key can be borrowed from the sheriff’s office in Carrizozo.  However, that key is not always available.  Call the sheriff’s office (505) 648-2341 about the key.

DESCRIPTION:   Beginning at the lower trailhead, a gate through the fence, T53 passes 1.0 mile through moderate stands of juniper and pinyon.  At mile 0.6, a fence with black vinyl pipe invites you to cross the fence; do not do so.  At mile 1.0, the trail joins an old road in the bottom of Water Canyon at a wooden T53 sign, just up road 50 feet from a large wooden White Mountain Wilderness sign.  As you proceed up the canyon, there are points at which two drainages merge.  Follow the right hand drainage at each.

If coming from its upper trailhead, the route provides spectacular distant views that include the town of Carrizozo, the Malpais lava fields, and if atmospheric conditions are good, the Manzano and Sandia Mountains to the north. Except for the first half mile, water flows intermittently through most of the remainder of the canyon. The stream is crossed repeatedly by the trail. The route becomes somewhat steep in places as it passes through a mixed conifer forest including stands of oak and maple.

 Do not combine T53 as part of a loop with T25 and T23.  T23 is a decent hike for 0.3 miles from its upper end and afterwards requires bushwhacking across steep terrain.

ACCESS:  To access the lower trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is mandatory.  After getting the key (deposit required) at the sheriff's office, begin in Carrizozo at the US380 and US54 intersection.  Drive US380 east 0.7 miles to a large Park Entrance sign on the right.  Just beyond the sign, turn right on a narrow pavement.  Just before an archway at mile 0.8, angle right 45 degrees on a graveled road.  At mile 1.0, the next junction, again angle right 45 degrees and drive west.  Shortly, at mile 1.1, turn left and drive south toward the mountains.  At mile 1.9 use the key to unlock/relock the gate.  About three more gates are beyond, but have no locks; proceed through them and leave each opened/closed as found. Take the left fork at mile 6.9. Beyond here, the road (shown as Lincoln County C8 on the White Mountain Wilderness Map) occasionally becomes winding, severely rutted, and rough; maximum speed is 15 mph. The forest boundary is reached at mile 9.9.  At the large trail sign just inside the boundary, turn left and drive to the signed trailhead at mile 10.0.

 To access the upper trailhead of T53, hike T25 about 1.5 miles from its northeastern trailhead.  To access this trailhead, see the write-up for T25.