Contact Info
- Phone:
- 575-773-4678
Basics
- Length:
- 3 miles
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Time:
- 1.5 - 2.5 hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 8000 feet
- Elevation Range:
- 8000 feet to 8867 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 867 feet
- Usage:
- Light
- Season:
- Spring to Fall
Description
The trail leads through stands of ponderosa pines to the El Caso Lookout Tower. Largo Trail #14 connects to this trail for an extended loop hike. Leslie Spring Trail can be accessed from this trail. This trail provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Additional activities in the area include fishing, bird watching, and boating (restricted to oars and electric motors) on Quemado Lake.
High elevation trail through ponderosa pines to El Caso Lookout Tower.
Black bears and mountain lions occur in the area.
Details
Length:
Difficulty:
Time:
Trailhead Elevation:
Elevation Range:
Elevation Change:
Usage:
Season:
Useful Map(s):
Additional Details:
Portions of the trail are steep and can only be followed through the use of tree blazes. There are no signs designating the trail. It is recommended that you take topographic maps of the area. Vault toilets are available in the lake parking area and at various campgrounds on the northside of the lake.
Quemado (20 miles) provides gas stations, food, and motels. Snuffy''s Store and Restaurant near Quemado Lake provides gas station, food, bait, and showers on a seasonal basis.
No water is available on the trail. Potable water can be obtained in the Cove Campground at the lake from May 1 to September 30.
Campgrounds at Quemado Lake are available. Juniper Campground offers 18 RV spaces with water and electrical hookups for $15/day and 18 single-family sites for $10/day. Pinon Campground offers 23 single-family sites for $6/day and 2 group sites at $35/day for 30-person site and $55/day for a 75-person site. Juniper and Pinon are open from May 1 to September 30. Cove and El Caso Campgrounds offer free, primitive camping with vault toilets.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Quemado, travel west on Hwy 60 for 0.5 mile. Turn south on Hwy 32 and travel 16 miles to Hwy 103. Follow Hwy 103 for 4 miles to Forest Road 13. Park in parking area. Start hiking west on the Lakeshore Trail and cross spillway. Follow Lakeshore Trail for 0.5 mile to trailhead of Overlook Trail. Follow Overlook Trail for 0.5 mile to junction of Sawmill Canyon Trail (just past a bench).
