White Canyon

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Hike Statistics

Nearby City / Locale: Jemez Springs
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Total Length of Hike: 7.5
Max to Min Elevation: 832 ft
* Total Ascent / Descent: 3095 / 3158 ft Estimate based on track data

Logistics: Out-and-back
Exposure Type: Full sun
Seasons : Not Winter
"Wow" Factor: Unique Canyon views
Authors last hiked: 2025-11-12

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TRAIL TIPS!

 An all-wheel vehicle is required to navigate the 2.7 mile section from the gravel-road FR10 to the parking spot.

About this hike:
White Canyon is a perched gentle canyon of white volcanic tuff east of Jemez Springs that contains excellent rock formations and a number of ancient sites that are bit more than rubble piles. On average the canyon rim is 100 feet higher than the bottom but the adjacent (super steep) La Canada canyon is 500 feet deep along the walkable west rim of White Canyon. You can witness water pockets in arroyo / canyon bottoms that probably supported Jemez people hundreds of years ago.
 
Geology at White Canyon is a white volcanic ash but the surrounding area is pale pink volcanic tuff. Looking down La Canada one can see red sandstone cliffs.
 
Be aware that gates on the primary access road FR10 are closed usually from December into April each year.  So call the forest service in Jemez Spring to check. However, even when the upper gate on FR10 is locked that always vehicle accessible gate is only 4 miles above where we parked for this preview hike. 
 
The hike starts with a 1.7 mile walk down a 4x4 road then a bushwhacking effort into white Canyon.  From there go down the easy-to-walk western rim, past numerous ancient sites, to the point at the end.  From there you will be 600 feet above the floor of La Canada canyon with amazing views in nearly all directions.  Preliminary efforts to down-climb onto the floor of La Canada canyon have so far not been successful on the first two preview hikes out there due to steepness and  brush in the axis of side canyons.
Related Hike Information REFERENCES: List of All Site Book References
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