T72

T72
Carrizo Peak Trail

Smokey Bear Ranger District

Download
T72
GPS Track
(as .GPX)

Jicarilla/Carrizo Area Trails

T71, T71A, T72, and T74 are shown as black dashed lines on the map.

LENGTH:
2.5 miles

ELEVATION:
8720 - 9600 ft
880 ft
difference

DIFFICULTY:
Most Difficult

SCENIC
RATING:
4

Contour Interval: 40 feet
Jicarilla/Carrizo Area Map (16MB)

White Oaks South Topo Map

Route Color Codes	paved roads (red)		FS roads, open (blue)		FS roads, closed or impassable (magenta)
	main trail(s) (black dashes)	---	connector trail(s) (green dashes)	---	damaged or intermittent trail(s) (orange over black dashes)	---	closed trails(s) (red over black dashes)	---
Symbols	trailhead (blue triangle)		trail junction (blue dot)		trail end (blue square)

NOTE: If T74 is used to reach Carrizo Peak, it is 4.4 miles one way, including 1.4 miles along a portion of T72, Carrizo Peak Trail. It is only 2.5 miles if Carrizo Peak is accessed directly from the T72 trailhead near the upper end of FR441, Carrizo Mountain Road. In other words, it is nearly four extra miles round trip, if Carrizo Peak is reached by hiking T74, in contrast to hiking all of T 72. However, the longer mileage route requires just a high clearance vehicle to access the T74 southeastern trailhead, whereas a 4‑wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is mandatory to follow FR 441 to the T72 trailhead!

DESCRIPTION:

T72 involves frequent gradients of 30% to 50% with many switchbacks, especially near its end on Carrizo Peak. It passes around the upper part of Outlaw Canyon and crosses two major saddles on Carrizo Mountain. For those who successfully hike T72 to Carrizo Peak, the inspiring summit of Carrizo Mountain, a glorious, 200 degree, sweeping vista meets the eye. In addition, scattered ridges around the highest point provide acres of meadow and forest to explore.

The first 1.1 miles of T72 (between FR 441 and the T74 intersection) is a primitive track and sometimes unclear, except for many cairns and trail blazes that delineate the route. Between the T74 intersection and Carrizo Peak, a well-constructed trail exists much of the way. It threads through several small meadows, oak thickets and stands of young Douglas‑fir, Ponderosa pine, and spruce, and into a magnificent virgin forest. Due to frequent steep grades, hiking very slowly along parts of the trail is paramount, if the hike is to be enjoyed.

ACCESS:

To access the eastern trailhead of T72, begin in Carrizozo at the US380 and US54 intersection. Drive US380 east 8.7 to the turnoff for signed County Road A010, also signed FR441. Turn left and pass through a metal archway. At mile 4.9 from US380, angle right at the O Bar O Headquarters area. At mile 5.3, drive through the gate (leaving it open/closed as you find it), and proceed to mile 12.4 from US380 over rough road. This includes, beginning at mile 10.8, a 1.0 mile drive along a steep rocky road with a drop-off on the left, requiring 4‑wheel drive. This may be scary for both driver and passengers. [Note from Lynn Melton: This road is difficult on the descent also; keep your speed down.] Just beyond is a beautiful, pastoral, and impressive old volcanic crater, worth the drive just to see this exquisite area. The T72 access is signed on the right, just 0.3 mile before FR 441 ends at Madden Peak Electronic Site. In Fall 2013, the new carsonite sign said T74 rather than the correct T72. The older wooden sign gave correct information.

LOCATION(S) OF ACCESS POINT(S)

	Lat/Lon hddd mm ss.s	UTM/NAD83
Trailhead	N33 41 56.7 W105 41 47.6	13 S 435447 3729008
Junction of T72 and T74	N33 41 51.4 W105 42 50.0	13 S 433841 3728858
Peak of Carrizo Mountain	N33 41 25.9 W105 43 41.6	13 S 432507 3728081

Last Hiked: 2002	Web Page Updated:February 19, 2014
Copyright Lynn Melton 2014	Contact: LNFTG14@gmail.com