permian reef geology trail

I agree with everything Arlon said in his review. Just thought I'd add a few additional comments and photos. I did this hike the 2nd week of June, and as Arlon said, it's hot and there's no shade. The problem with doing this hike in the summer is that you can't access the trailhead until the McKittrick Canyon gate opens at 8AM. So there's no starting at daybreak (or earlier) to beat the heat. I was on the trail by 8:30 and it took me until almost 1PM to get to the top of the ridge with a 30 pound pack. I stopped several times for rest/photo breaks. I spent the night at the Wilderness Ridge backcountry campsite. Nice campsites. Plenty of shade. Don't know how much protection there would be from the wind, it was pretty calm when I was there. The campsites are pretty close together so if someone else was around you wouldn't have a whole lot of privacy, but there was no one else there so I had the whole place to myself. :) After setting up camp I hiked over to the New Mexico border, about a mile or so. Beautiful views into McKittrick Canyon all along the ridge top. The trail keeps going into the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico if you're wanting some more hiking. Saw some elk along the trail right around sundown. If you want a nice view into the canyon without doing the entire trail, the 1st photo I'm posting was taken about halfway up the trail.

This is an excellent walk for the geologically inclined. For someone not into geology, it's just a hike with a nice view at the top. This trail is close to 8 miles round trip with a little walking on top.There is about 2000 feet of elevation gain. It's a tough hike for someone not used to the elevation or heat. I've done this hike twice, once in spring with record heat and again in July with normal heat. I don't think I'll do this hike again in the summer or during a heat wave unless I'm on the trail by 8am. I think it would be a great hike for fall winter or spring. There is VERY little shade on this trail. Beware of weather, most storms come from the NW and you won't know they are coming if you're on the trail up or down. They can come over the mountain pretty quick. Started the hike at 10am and finished at 3pm with some stops to read about the geology from the park services guide. Highly recommend down loading the guide for the trail map if nothing else. Carry a lot of water and some food. I went through a 20 oz sports dink and all of the water in a 100oz camel back. I put a lot of ice in the camel back and nice cool water for the entire hike. Bring at least a pocket camera, the views from the top are pretty nice. Good bathrooms at the trail head.