Nice, Secluded Natural Spring

This alien looking plant is a New Mexico Agave (aka Century Plant). After 8-20 years, this large flowering stalk appears. After setting fruit, the entire plant dies.

User: Blaze - 5/21/2013

Location: Smith Spring Trail

Rating: 2stars

Difficulty: 1point5stars

Solitude:

Miles Hiked: 2.50 Miles Elapsed Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes

Comments:

Smith Spring is a nice, secluded natural spring. It is one of the few water sources in the park and one the wildlife depends on greatly to survive. The stream trickles out of the limestone and sandstone from the mountains and helps the vegetation flourish.

The hike to Smith Spring is a fairly short loop, but nice. A small part of the trail near the Frijole Ranch History Museum is ADA accessible, but the rest of the trail is not. Along the way, you can also see Manzanita Spring, a dammed pool that was essential for the people living at Frijole Ranch.

Log Photos

Trailhead

Manzanita Spring

Smith Spring

View Of The Trail

Track File

Topo maps provided by MyTopo.com (buy now!) Map Logo

Larger Map

Download

Order a topo map