The Land of Enchantment provides many a beautiful vista and some of the best Mexican food around. Spend the day hiking at Trigo Canyon. Then celebrate your outdoor accomplishments with a meal at Montaño’s, complete with a sopapilla – imagine if you will, fried dough sweetened with honey, similar to a doughnut.
Trigo Springs Road dead-ends at the trailhead, which is surrounded by the John F. Kennedy Campground. Roads leading to the trail may be a bit bumpy. This 8.8-mile out-and-back trail, rated as challenging, generally follows the stream. If you hike the entire trail, it is estimated to take roughly 5.5 hours to do so.
As a less challenging alternative to hiking the entire trail, go 2.5 miles in, as far as the waterfalls, and then turn back – having already enjoyed the waterfalls, perhaps caves, and great views. For the first 1.5 miles the elevation change is gradual, and the trail is well maintained. After you reach the waterfalls, the climb becomes steeper, the canyon walls narrower, and the trail more overgrown.
You could happen upon butterflies, snakes, and perhaps even a cow. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail. Families with children have enjoyed this trail too.
The second half of this trail demonstrates a burned-out forest, as a result of an earlier fire.
After a hike, leave room to partake of the light and airy sopapillas with your well-earned, and delicious, Mexican meal.
A happy hike and a marvelous meal, what more could we ask for? For more information, follow Montaño’s Restaurant on Facebook.
Have you hiked the Trigo Canyon Trail or eaten a sopapilla at Montaño’s? Share your thoughts with us!
Check out some of our other local articles highlighting 12 of the best hikes in New Mexico, an apple orchard in Belen, and the best sticky buns in New Mexico.
Address: Trigo Trailhead, Mountain Rd NE, Belen, NM 87002, USA
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