Last Chance Canyon - Western El Paso Mountains
I travel here often and have led several Meetup groups on rides into the Western El Paso Mountains and up Last Chance Cyn. If you enjoy the desert and especially the colorful mountains, then this is a trip for you. When exploring the Western El Paso's I usually stage in Dove Springs. There are many large level camping spots and it is easy to access the mountains or you can just explore this very large OHV area. For our Camp & Ride trips we do the El Paso's one day and usually head up to McIvers cabin the next. I have a separate adventure documenting the trip up to McIvers cabin.
In mid April of 2018 I hosted a trip for several Meetup groups. We had 28 SxS's, 4 dirt bikes, and 5 quads. Despite my advise, a 2-wheel drive truck decided to tag along. He lasted about 10 miles before having to turn back because he was unable to climb up a hill. On Saturday we left camp around 9am. I headed out first and my wife Kathy dropped orange cones at the major turns so that others would know the way to go. Warren was the Tail Boss and picked up the most of the cones. Wes helped sheppard the riders along and led for much of the route. Our first mechanical happened about 6 miles from camp when an older quad lost his chain. After about 15 minutes we were able to get it back on and we continued up into the mountains. Next the 2-wheel drive truck blocked the riders in back while he tried to make it up a hill. Warren eventually convinced him to return to camp and we all gathered together at the entrance to Last Chance Canyon.
I travel here often and have led several Meetup groups on rides into the Western El Paso Mountains and up Last Chance Cyn. If you enjoy the desert and especially the colorful mountains, then this is a trip for you. When exploring the Western El Paso's I usually stage in Dove Springs. There are many large level camping spots and it is easy to access the mountains or you can just explore this very large OHV area. For our Camp & Ride trips we do the El Paso's one day and usually head up to McIvers cabin the next. I have a separate adventure documenting the trip up to McIvers cabin.
In mid April of 2018 I hosted a trip for several Meetup groups. We had 28 SxS's, 4 dirt bikes, and 5 quads. Despite my advise, a 2-wheel drive truck decided to tag along. He lasted about 10 miles before having to turn back because he was unable to climb up a hill. On Saturday we left camp around 9am. I headed out first and my wife Kathy dropped orange cones at the major turns so that others would know the way to go. Warren was the Tail Boss and picked up the most of the cones. Wes helped sheppard the riders along and led for much of the route. Our first mechanical happened about 6 miles from camp when an older quad lost his chain. After about 15 minutes we were able to get it back on and we continued up into the mountains. Next the 2-wheel drive truck blocked the riders in back while he tried to make it up a hill. Warren eventually convinced him to return to camp and we all gathered together at the entrance to Last Chance Canyon.
The next stop was about half way through Last Chance Canyon when a quad died and I have to use my battery pack to get it started. Wes led the way through the canyons rocky trail and gathered everyone together at Pleasant Valley Rd. When I arrived, it turned out that I had pinched my sidewall and needed to stop and apply several plugs. I carry a butane torch with me so that I can cut and then melt the plugs into the rubber of the tire. This really helps seal holes in the sidewall. Once my tire was repaired we headed up Pleasant Valley Rd which is a twisty double wide trail that drops in and out of a wide deep sand wash. The scenery is beautiful along this trail. We came out on EP15 and headed up to the Burro Schmidt Tunnel.
Several folks walked all the way through the tunnel and then took the trail back over the top. We used this stop for a lunch and beverage break and after 45 minutes we were ready to head down to Bickle Camp. There is lots of info on the web for both these sites and they are both must sees if you find yourself in the area. It is only a short ride down EP15 and then a right turn on EP30 and you will soon arrive at Bickle Camp. Walt Bickle was a miner who settled here and his mining camp has been preserved. We were lucky that the caretaker was there and she gave us the grand tour. People really enjoyed learning about the history of the area. |
Next we were off to the Holly Ash Mine but first we would travel up the Bonanza Trail and ride by the Bonanza Post Office. This was an active pumice mine until 1959 when it was shut down. There are lot's of interesting looking mine equipment scattered around this area. We took another short break here and then gathered up and headed towards upper Last Chance Canyon.
The upper part of Last Chance Canyon is a sand wash that travels West ending at a steep downhill know as Graduation Hill. Once you make it down the steep descent it is a little over 6 miles of a very rocky and narrow sand wash until to make it out of the canyon.
Not wanting to take a group this large down Graduation Hill, I took a bypass about 1/2 mile before the downhill that took us up and into the mountains. This trail is very scenic and took us out about a mile from the top of Pleasant Valley Rd. We all enjoyed the cruise back down to lower Last Chance Canyon. This time we turned right and traveled up the canyon stopping about 100 yards from the bottom of Graduation Hill and took a side trail up the mountain. Once at the top we backtracked from the beginning of our ride and took Opal Canyon back to the Highway 14 crossing. The route was only 45 miles but because of the slow rocky trails and the mechanical breakdowns it took almost 7 hours. I made the video below so that members of the Meetup groups could get an idea as to the trip before they signed up.
The upper part of Last Chance Canyon is a sand wash that travels West ending at a steep downhill know as Graduation Hill. Once you make it down the steep descent it is a little over 6 miles of a very rocky and narrow sand wash until to make it out of the canyon.
Not wanting to take a group this large down Graduation Hill, I took a bypass about 1/2 mile before the downhill that took us up and into the mountains. This trail is very scenic and took us out about a mile from the top of Pleasant Valley Rd. We all enjoyed the cruise back down to lower Last Chance Canyon. This time we turned right and traveled up the canyon stopping about 100 yards from the bottom of Graduation Hill and took a side trail up the mountain. Once at the top we backtracked from the beginning of our ride and took Opal Canyon back to the Highway 14 crossing. The route was only 45 miles but because of the slow rocky trails and the mechanical breakdowns it took almost 7 hours. I made the video below so that members of the Meetup groups could get an idea as to the trip before they signed up.