Hike New Mexico
w/Tom & Ken
Hike New Mexico
w/Tom & Ken
East Fork River Gorge
Hike Statistics
Nearby City / Locale:
Valles Caldera
Hike Difficulty:
Difficult
Total Length of Hike:
6.3
Max to Min Elevation:
760 ft
* Total Ascent / Descent:
951 /
961 ft
Estimate based on track data
Logistics: Loop
Exposure Type: Mixed sun/shade
Seasons :
Summer
"Wow" Factor: Fantastic falls and water features
Authors last hiked: 2025-08-19
More!
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On-line directions to the trailhead:
Google Directions
Scroll down to see photos and additonal information. Click on photos for enlarged view. Red segments on the elevation chart indicate slopes of 18 degrees or higher.
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TRAIL TIPS!
NOTICE: This hike is considered dangerous and should not be attempted alone! There are slippery ascents and difficult-to-traverse water-filled areas in narrow gorges. Great care should be taken - hike at your own risk.
This section of the East Fork River Gorge is replete with gorgeous waterfalls and rock features, but is also dangerous and should not be attempted alone. Storms can appear suddenly in the mountains, so be prepared with rain gear. Portable devices should be placed in water-tight sacks or other gear as they may easily be submerged while navigating the river. On the day of this hike, rain and hail did descend on the group, earlier in the day than would normally be expected. Out of sheer luck, a large cave was discovered along the way which kept the group dry! Be prepared for all kinds of conditions. In spite of this, the area is exceptionally beautiful, and the hike is very rewarding
Note that many of the gorge photos were taken by hike group members and uploaded without GPS metadata, hence they could not be tagged on the map. Instead, view the gallery of photos below for a sense of the gorge(ous) features.