The McMillan Canyon trail doesn’t appear on any hiking maps, but it is one of the most delightful trails in the Silver City area. It runs along a dry creek through a very dense mixed gambel oak, ponderosa, douglas fir and Southwest white pine forest. The trail climbs steadily, passing by a side canyon with some spectacular rock hoodoos at the one-half mile point. At about .9 miles, the canyon splits. The main trails turn sharply left and tracks steeply uphill, while a well-traveled side trail is visible on the right. At 1.1 miles, the trail reaches the top of the mesa, with stunning views into a steep-walled canyon full of hoodoos. Another intriguing trail peels off the right, while the main trail continues along the edge of the mesa. The next half mile is generally flat open terrain and and grassy meadows that channel the alpine meadows northern New Mexico. The trail becomes less obvious and disappears altogether around 1.6 miles.
Dense forest cover and high elevation make this hike an excellent choice for warm weather. There is poison ivy along the trail, and there may be mosquitoes, so cover up and pack a head net.
Distance: 1.58 miles (one way)
Ascent: 655′
Trailhead Elevation: 6988′
Directions: From downtown Silver City, travel north on NM 15 for 13 miles and turn right into McMillan Campground. There are several trail heads. This is the one that starts closest to the restroom.
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