Page 14 - Volume 3 - Walks In The Black Range

4. Upper Black Canyon Trail -
Forest Trail 72
Contributed by Devon Fletcher
I have hiked the Upper Black Canyon Trail (FT 72 ) three times. My real purpose for two of these trips was fishing, more specifically fishing for the rare Gila Trout. The other time was the first when we were camping at the small campground just off of FR 150. We set out on a chilly spring morning that turned into a blissfully warm spring afternoon with us ambling along the rushing creek in the wide valley, and then picnicking in the sun looking up at the pale pock- marked cliffs with their many mysterious caves and alcoves. We were also blissfully unaware at the time of the enduringly confusing and frequently contentious situation regarding the trail passing through about 200 yards of
private land which has changed hands several times over the years. Indeed, subsequent trips had me climbing around dangerously on the southern rim of the canyon in order to bypass the sliver of private inholding, or literally sprinting the distance and successfully avoiding detection. Others have not been so lucky and have been confronted angrily by the landowners. The Forest Service finally took action, sort of, and has designated a “ trail “ that leaves off of FR 150 and follows along the northern rim of the canyon before descending precipitously along a ridge to the canyon bottom. Similar to the situation that plagued the Mimbres River Trail, this new route adds around a mile and a half of distance and 600 feet of elevation change to circumvent 200 yards of easy walking in the valley. I have not tried it, and I don’t know how many have bothered.
One day it may become the accepted route, but for those who know of and have hiked the old route, it just seems like a pain.
Waterfall