US Southwest San Lorenzo Canyon, New Mexico

[TRT87]

NM Members / @cmsgtnelly / @Stix ,

Does anybody have info on San Lorenzo Canyon South of ABQ near Socorro? I was thinking about checking it out and looking for the old abandon ranches.

Thank you for any info!

- Tyler

Coords:
34.243640,-106.986152

Webpage:
https://www.blm.gov/visit/san-lorenzo-canyon

 

[cmsgtnelly]

Unfortunately no. I’ve never ventured in that direction.


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[TRT87]

@cmsgtnelly,

If I make my way out there, I’ll let you know if its worth the trip. So far GoogleEarth and the BLM webpage are all I have looked at. People have thrown up some interesting pictures of camping in different areas along the canyon. I think it’s worth checking out.

- Tyler

 

[cmsgtnelly]

Please do. Let me know when you head down there. I’d like to see it as well. Maybe we can meet up if the timing is right.

-Matt


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[TRT87]

Sounds good Matt!

 

[pyrotyro]

Also haven’t heard of this, but after a quick google I am intrigued! We happen to be headed south through Abq and beyond later this week, looks like a perfect camp spot for a night!


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[TRT87]

@cmsgtnelly,

I think I might head down there in March. I’m planning a road trip with the wife & kids. We’ll see if it works out, I have a month long business trip between now and then.

@pyrotyro,

If you head out there, let us know what you find. I’m curious about the roads, and how many people are back in there. I’m guessing it gets busy in the summer, I see vehicles in the canyon on GoogleEarth, but it might be nice and quite right now. I’ve also seen some pictures of old ranches online, but have yet to track down any coordinates for them. Any info would be helpful.

- Tyler

 

[cmsgtnelly]

Sounds good. Let me know. I’m sure Stix would be down as well. I’ll keep him in the loop.


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[pyrotyro]

@cmsgtnelly,

I think I might head down there in March. I’m planning a road trip with the wife & kids. We’ll see if it works out, I have a month long business trip between now and then.

@pyrotyro,

If you head out there, let us know what you find. I’m curious about the roads, and how many people are back in there. I’m guessing it gets busy in the summer, I see vehicles in the canyon on GoogleEarth, but it might be nice and quite right now. I’ve also seen some pictures of old ranches online, but have yet to track down any coordinates for them. Any info would be helpful.

- Tyler

I will report back what I find! From my brief search online, this place is not very well known. Not even on iOverlander... So I am excited to check it out!

 

[pyrotyro]

Alright guys, we spent the night in the canyon last night. Awesome, beautiful place! We came in from the Polvadera side, and followed the blm signs in. Pretty straight forward.

View attachment 47626

There were 4 other groups camped, which was more then I expected for Feb... but it was a Saturday night. I had planned on camping in the very tight side canyon near the beginning I had seen a post about online:



Unfortunately there was a group in there when we arrived after dark last night. But we went and checked it out on the way out.



Be warned there is a pretty tight gate keeper to get in here. No problem for a short vehicle, but took me some negotiating with the trailer



So we cruised through the canyon and found an arroyo near the turnaround.



Excellent place to camp and hike around. Awesome rock formations and desert scenery. Canyon is fairly short, but worth a visit!


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[cmsgtnelly]

Fantastic. Thanks for the update and the excellent pics. This is going on my list of places to visit.


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[TRT87]

@pyrotyro,

Thanks for the info and the great pics! It defiantly looks like it is worth the drive.

- Tyler

 

[TRT87]

So this is a little late, but I did check out San Lorenzo Canyon back in 2018. Almost immediately after, I took a multi-month work trip and moved my family to Hawaii.

From what I remember, It was worth the drive from Clovis, altho the weather started to turn the day we went out there, so we didn't spend the night.

My daughter and I had fun doing a few short hikes. For a small canyon, there is a lot of cool stuff to check out.



I would go back and spend the night. This spot was nice and private. It was a nice cutout that seemed to block off the wind and offer some privacy.



The town of Socorro isn't far, and they also have a few things to check out. They have one of the oldest churches in North America and a geology museum. If you are in the area, both are worth the time to look into.

 

[TRT87]

@saralewis, I'm not sure where you are, but San Lorenzo is an easy day trip from ABQ. Assuming you're in NM, check out the NM Overlanders Thread. They are pretty active.