Date Farm Loop Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views

The beginning of this loop is marked by a white letters on brown information sign welcoming you to the Armagosa Canyon of Critical Environmental Concern. Continue to the right, and eventually find a rock brownstone building in advanced decay. The front of the building has portions tumbled on the trail. A short distance beyond, take the trail junction to the left for the loop, or right for the Armagosa River Trail. If you want to avoid a short, steep downhill section on the Armagosa River Trail, go left.

As you continue to the left, it is a few hundred yards to the next junction. The views in this area become dramatic with wonderful geologic views with contrasting colors, smooth cream mountain surfaces, and jagged peaks.

Go right to recapture the Amargosa River Trail, on what appears to be an old railroad grade, or go left for the loop trail. The loop trail quickly enters into vegetation as it crosses the stream from the Date Farm, then opens back to the desert views while following up the canyon on the right side. Eventually, the trail drops back into the vegetation and crosses the stream for a short segment to complete the loop. Continue up the old railroad bed to the trailhead.

Be on the lookout for lots of birds and rabbits lurking in the thickets. It seems to be a favorite safe place. With the vegetation so dry, the leaves amplify their presence, but the denseness of the vegetation makes it difficult to see the critters. Of course, up drainage is the date farm.