The Lucero Canyon hike near Dona Ana, NM, is a rather boring meander down a desert arroyo to some pretty awesome petroglyphs. You can reach it by turning off Interstate 25 on Exit 19, Fort Seldon Rd. You then turn right and follow the road back a short distance. You will see the wide arroyo mouth to your left.
We went on a Friday afternoon in January and I needed a light jacket from the breeze. The sand of the Lucero Canyon floor kept getting into my shoes. This hike is quite flat and easy, not at all a challenge. For most of it you are following ATV tracks. The scenery makes it worth at least one visit, though.
You will also see a lot of interesting geology here. Fossils and baked mudstone line the arroyo floor.
About a mile and a half back, you will notice your first petroglyphs to the left. They are etched into the exposed dark stone walls of the arroyo. We observed geometric designs, a turtle, a goat, deer, and human figures. There are a few petroglyphs that made me wonder if they were trying to draw aliens.
The return trip offers a nice view of the Robledos. There is a really fantastic hike there: Geronimo’s Cave.
My husband spotted a cave where some of the rock on the side of the arroyo is cracking down the middle. On the return trip, he explored it and was able to walk through it. He then realized that he had lost his keys when we were near the car. Thank goodness he found it near the crack, hanging right on a mesquite branch!
Overall, this is a nice way to kill an hour or two. Definitely interesting from historical and geological angles. Not a challenge if you’re looking for that.