Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

Price Canyon hike report, Sept. 3, 2026:

Six hikers gathered at the Rodeo PO for a hike up Price Canyon.  We weren’t sure this was the best hike given the weather forecast of subtropical moisture coming in from the south, but we are from New Mexico and Arizona and we thrive on risk and adversity.  We encountered neither on the hike.

 

The County gravel road was in excellent condition the first 7 miles and the USFS road the next 4 miles was pretty bad - just as we expected.  At the end of the road we parked and headed up the trail.  We enjoyed the (limited) water, the cliffs, the blue sky with clouds and the lovely day. Even though we started at only 5800’ the day was not hot. We were all glad to be in Price Canyon. 

 

It didn’t look like too many people have hiked here since we were here this past spring.  There were a few logs on the way to Price Canyon Spring about 1 mile from the trail head, and the spring had a strong flow and deep pools.  The large ferns have recovered from the dry years and are flourishing.  

 

One of the main reasons for the hike today was to scout out the number of fallen logs, find locations for camping and find where there was surface water.  A volunteer group is scheduled to arrive in mid-October to clear the trail as far upstream as possible and they wanted some preliminary information.  Of course, additional trees will fall and depending on the rains the location of surface flow will change…. but this was a start.

 

 

Four turned back at a huge down log, hiking about 4.5 miles, but two hikers forged ahead to the connecting trail to Rucker Canyon.  This involved clambering over logs, pushing through brush and traversing boulder-filled dry creek crossings.  We arrived at the “shrine” (a shallow cave that was a religious site in the past) finding some trash: 

 

Upscale migrant trash?

We scrambled a little further to the junction with another trail that comes up and over from Rucker Canyon.  We tallied fallen logs, noted surface water and potential flat camping areas for the October group.  Today’s forecast rains waited until we were 10 minutes from the car and only a few drops fell.  Price Canyon is a beautiful area and soon the trail will be improved for everyone to enjoy.

   

Next week we have decided to wait to choose the location.  Every day this coming week has rain forecast.  We will meet at 8 AZ or 9 NM at the Silver Peak trailhead and decide.  Remember to bring water, lunch, rain gear. good boots (or old boots if rain is likely), rain/sun hat and a sense of adventure.

 

Hike report from Al & Carol, photos from Carol & Elaine, map from chiricahuatrails.com (Jonathan)