This is a page started in September 2025, after my first trip into the Magdalena Mountains via Water Canyon. Had I known how beautiful it is up there, I'd have started visiting the Magdalenas years ago. I'll add to this page when I can. For now, I just want to encourage you to check out these mountains for yourself.

The drive from beautiful downtown Socorro to lower Water Canyon is about 21 miles long, and will take you about 25 minutes. Head mostly west on U.S. 60, then turn left (southwest) onto Water Canyon road (there's a sign marking the turnoff.) The road will take you into lower Water Canyon and past impressive bluffs. The pavement ends as you arrive at a Forest Service campground/picnic area with pit toilets (a fee area).

Where the dirt road splits up, keep left to follow the road up to the observatories at the top of the Magdalenas (again, look for a sign). Because this road is used for observatory access , it's kept in decent shape. Whenever the road's not snowpacked or icy, it should be passable for high clearance AWD or 4WD vehicles (my Forester didn't have problems). The road is, however, steep, narrow, and twisty, so not for those unused to mountain driving.

As you drive up, green markers are present every quarter mile (also, blue markers to indicate where the culvert are). Along the way, about 10 different trails lead off into the woods. One of my future projects is to try a few of those trails and report on them here. Until then, it's up to you to research your options.

Just past marker 12.25, a gate marks the end of public vehicle access. Beyond the gate are the Magdalena Ridge Observatory and the Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research. There's room to park on the near side of the gate. If you walk on through, then take a hard right (north) turn onto the ridge, it's about an 0.4 mile long walk (with a 200 foot gain) to the top of South Baldy. At 10,783 feet (3287 m), it's the highest spot in the Magdalenas. Another item on my to-do list. Keep in mind that the mountaintop is an ideal place to study lightning; you don't want to be up there when the clouds might rumble.