SUMMARY: 6148 feet to 8806 feet, 4.2 miles
DESCRIPTION: The Manzano Mountains have plenty of access trails from the east, and many fewer from the west, with Trigo being the most popular and well-known. Starting up from the old (and now closed) John F Kennedy Campground, the trail quickly enters the Manzano Mountain Wilderness area, and follows parallel to a small seasonal creek, often with flowing water or pools on the lower portion even in summer. The trail climbs up a narrow mountain canyon carved by the creek, mostly in shade. Rather early in the hike is a stand of aspens, at unusually low elevation for this tree. Later is a small rock face used by climbers, with some climbing hardware visible. About 1.3 miles from the top is the small Trigo Falls, when water is running.
At the crest, one can go north along the Crest Trail to Osha Trail, looping back to the trailhead for an 8.5 mile trip.
“Trigo” is Spanish for “wheat”.
GETTING THERE: The nearest town is Belen, some distance across a flat plain to the west. When using online maps to navigate to John F Kennedy Campground, beware of any routes that do not go along North Navajo Road, or South Navajo Loop Road. The suggested route, especially from the north, often tries to use an un-named closed private road, impassable. Heading west several miles along straight flat dirt road on one of the Navajo Roads, join Trigo Springs Road, which will head north and then west for a few miles through private land, currently not a well-maintained road, and a high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. Park at the trailhead parking area. Walk uphill past the closed gate and former campground, taking left turns at any intersection, about one mile to a pipe gate entrance designating the trail, with no signage.
During hiking season we often see at least one parked car at the trailhead, since Comanche, Osha, Salas, and Trigo trails all depart from here.
CONDITIONS: As of July 2020, the trail is clear of downfalls, after multiple work projects. The trail is brushy near the top, with Gambel oak, locust, and aspen, and trail crews have not been allowed to lop due to ongoing litigation. Although following along a creek, no signs of flooding events have recently damaged the trail. False trails were recently blocked off, but by August 2020 had been unblocked by well-meaning hikers.
NMVFO has done recent work projects on this trail:
Manzanos West Side (Cibola NF)
Camp at the old JFK Campground and clear the lower section of Comanche and Trigo trails
Trigo Canyon Small Group Project Continued
Hiked up New Canyon Trail to Upper Trigo, clearing many downed trees.
Trigo Canyon Small Group Project – Continued
Continuation of deadfall removal from the Trigo Canyon trail