Oliver Lee State Park - Member Hike

Hike Name: Oliver Lee State Park
Country: United States
State: New Mexico
Nearby Town: Alamogordo
Rating: 3 stars
Directions: Head south from Alamogordo via US 54 for 12 miles. Turn left (East) on Oliver Lee State Park Road. Drive East 5 miles.
Total Hike Distance: 13.60 miles
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Permit Required: Yes
Hike Type: In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends: Oliver Lee Visitor's Center
Trails Used: Eyebrow Trail
Backcountry Campsites: Yes
Backcountry Water Sources: Streams, Springs
Management: State Park Service
Contact Information: 505-437-8284
Website:
nmparks.com
Email: olee@wayfarer1.com
Best Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
Users: Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions: Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary: This is an interesting hike through one of southern New Mexico's more interesting areas. Oliver Lee was a successful and controversial character in New Mexico history. He is suspected of killing a judge and his son, and is also probably responsible for the killing of "Frenchy" Rochas, who originally owned the property now in the park. Frenchy built a samll house, and had cattle and fruti orchards at the mouth of Dog Canyon. After m,any years in htis location, Frenchy was killed by unknown attackers in his small house, remains of which may still be seen. After his death, Oliver Lee took possession of the area and its water. Lee used the water for his own cattle, and bult a 100,000 gallon tank to store it in. Remians of Lee's original water collection system are still visible.
Two hikes are possible. One covers only about 1 1/2 miles, and moves up a boardwalk directly up the streambed. The other follows the Eyebrow Trail, which snakes up out of the canyon bottom and follows the ridge all the way to the canyon head, where there are the remains of a line cabin from the Lee ranching days. This is a fun hike, and the area is never crowded. This hike travels through the Lincoln National Forest, and evernight or longer hikes can be made in almost any direction.
<b>Line cabin at top of Dog Canyon</b><br> This type of samll cabin was used by cowhands tending herds. This one is located approx. 6 1/2 miles from the visitor's center.
<b>Frenchy's Cabin</b><br> The remains of Francoise "Frenchy" Rochas cabin at Dog Canyon. More artifacts are in the Visitor's Center.
<b>The path out of the canyon.</b><br> The long trail up the canyon runs up the steep walls you see here.
<b>Hnad laid rock fence</b><br> The line running up the hill face in the center of the photo is a hand laid rock wall to keep Frenshy's cows in. All were set in place by Frenchy, thousands of them, many over 100 lbs.

Hiker:

Oshow


10,450 points

Recommended

Trip Reports

  Date Rating Duration Hiker
Oliver Lee State Park - August 20, 2005 Trip Report August 20, 2005 1 star 4 hours, 20 minutes Ferret
Oliver Lee State Park - June 18, 2005 June 18, 2005 3 stars 2 hours, 30 minutes Oshow

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