Inaugural Opening…Shortcut to the Mexican Canyon Trestle.

On Saturday, June 7, National Trails Day, our New Mexico Rails to Trails Association will host the inaugural opening and ribbon cutting of a  section of the original rail road bed  previously unavailable to the public.  This pristine 800 foot stretch of rail-trail is located just up-trail from the Mexican Canyon Trestle, and contains is own trestle and a beautiful, quaint cabin.  Gates will open at 9 am, with a short ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 am, and close at 4 pm.  Displays and refreshments will be available.  This shortcut will only be open to the public on select days during the summer/fall season.

Access to the new section is about 1/2 miles down-trail from the Trestle Recreation area using Forest Service Trails 5001B/5001.  The Rec Area is immediately west of Cloudcroft.  Signs will be posted.  An alternate access is also available via Little Mexican Canyon Road located at the Highway 82 entrance to the Rec Area. This access is also walk in only-no vehicles allowed, and the road is very steep (even steeper on the way back!).  And there is no public parking in the immediate area.

Dr. Bonnie Brooks, who has a tremendous affection for the area, recently granted property to the New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association as part of a life estate deed. The new shortcut is on this generously donated land. Dr. Brooks will be at the ribbon-cutting.  NMRTA is preparing the area for visitors to enjoy on June 7th, and is particularly working hard to complete construction of “Bonnie’s Bridge”, a small bypass footbridge that will allow visitors to view the  features of the railroad trestle that is no longer safe for public use.

Brooks Cabin on the Mexican Canyon Trail rail bed