The first part of the Cerrillos Canyon Trail ascends gradually up an arroyo and into the canyon areas of Cerrillos Hills State Park. Two routes are available in the lower (southern) section. North of where these routes rejoin, you can continue up to several abandoned mines and ultimately to Grand Central Mountain. The higher you go the better the views, with unimpeded vistas at the top that include the escarpment of La Bajada, the Sangre de Cristos, the Sandia, Mt. Taylor and much more.

The scenery on this trail is quite different from what's in the more developed areas of the State Park, so the hike can be worth the effort. However, expect steep terrain, loose footing, and lots of cactus if you attempt the ascent of this 'hill' (aka Cerro Oso). There is no apparent trail. Proceed with caution. For a more pleasant loop trail without the steep ascent, check the "Preferred Easier Loop Trail" map and GPX file under GPS Data.