A Hike to Sedillo Springs

This two mile round trip hike is described as part of a longer bike ride at the Fat Tire Fiesta website.



The hike is through desert scrub, then on dirt roads, to the old Socorro water supply. We love hikes (rare in New Mexico) that end with water. The view of Socorro is lovely. Have your kids check the water temperature (80 degrees!) in series of small concrete baths and look for the Socorro Isopod -- a pill bug that lives in the water. The Socorro Isopod ONLY lives in these springs! The baths are the remains of a spa called "The Evergreen" (like the road).

New Mexico Game and Fish PDF on the Isopod says:

In August 1988 the entire population died out
at the spring when the flow of water became
obstructed and the habitat dried up. Fortunately,
a population of the isopod, which was housed
at the University of New Mexico, saved the
species from extinction, and a transplant has
restored it to Sedillo Spring.

Directions:

1. From California, drive west on Spring Street. Rather than turn south onto 60, stay on Spring Street, watching for a residential road branching from the left, Evergreen
   
2. Take Evergreen to the end. We usually park on the right, in front of an abandoned house.
   
3. The first land you cross belongs to a retired Socorro police officer. It's clearly marked "No Trespassing" and "City Vehicles Only", which he explained is designed to keep drinkers and spray painters away. The Fat Tire Fiesta map shows a trail under the powerpoles but there is no trail. Either cut cross-country toward the tank, or if you have a jogging stroller, take the driveway marked "No Trespassing".
   
4. From the tank, pick up the dirt road, headed east. At about a mile, there will be a small trail to the left, leading towards the cottonwood stand (always a good sign of water in New Mexico). At the empty holding pond you can continue toward the adobe ruin, then cut cross country back to the car (barbed wire fence), or retrace your steps, return to the car (or and add a another half mile by climbing to the top of the hill behind the springs).