The Outdoor Recreation Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced the City of Socorro has been granted $370,020 in the third round of the Trails + grant.

“The City has been a really great partner in developing outdoor recreating opportunities and we’re very happy to have this award.” Rob Selina, Socorro Trails coordinator said.

The grant will support the construction of the Box-Enterprise trail network, climbing areas, and an adjacent camping, the revitalization of the USFS Cibola National Forest Magdalena Ranger District trail network and the flagship 27-mile Baldy- to-Bosque trail, which connects the Magdalenas to Box Canyon and the Socorro Valley.

According to the press release, the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant program was created in 2019 by Gov. Lujan Grisham and lawmakers to support projects that enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for communities, including trail systems, signage, outdoor classrooms, wildlife viewing areas, and more.

Selina said that the Socorro Trails volunteer group had a productive 2023 with their partnerships with different entities.

Last month, local volunteers partnered with New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors to build half a mile of a new loop trail named O2O. The trail, accessible from Blue Canyon Trailhead off Highway 60, isn’t complete but is open for use.

“It’s named after the Ocean to Ocean highway, commonly abbreviated as the O2O, which was the original name for highway 60,” Rob Selina, Socorro Trails coordinator said “Back in the early 1900s the highway came into town down Blue Canyon Road from the west and then crossed heading east near Escondida Lake. Since the trail roughly parallels highway 60 this was an opportunity to highlight an interesting historical connection to the area.”

The trail name was selected after the Socorro Trails group took name suggestions for the new trail voted and presented the top choice to the BLM for their consideration.
“We appreciate them (BLM) taking community input into that process.” Selina said.
Lasty year with the BLM Socorro Field Office and Rocky Mountain Youth Corp they built the Descansos Trail, the Dirt Wall Trail out at Box Canyon and started the Landavaso Trail system near Magdalena.

Selina said that with the US Forest Service they logged in over 260 volunteer hours in the Magdalena Mountains, clearing over a hundred fallen trees and overgrowth.
In partnership with the City of Socorro they built the Lasso Loop at the Rodeo Grounds and helped host two youth mountain bike races. They also installed trail markers at the Rodeo Grounds with a grant secured by the city and on the Socorro Valley Bosque Trail with a donation from the NMVFO.

Socorro Trails has three joint projects on the calendar with NMVFO including, O2O Trail Construction, Timber Ridge Trail in the Magdalena Mountains and six-mile canyon in the Magdalena Mountains.

“Socorro is surrounded by really scenic public lands – the Bosque and Quebradas to the east, the Box Canyon area and Magdalenas to the west. We live in a special place and want to continue to promote positive, responsible recreational access,” Selina said “There’s an opportunity here to develop trails and other recreational infrastructure that improves access and the quality of life of local residents. This is also a possible way to increase local tourism, with broad benefits to the local economy. We look forward to continuing to work with the City of Socorro, the BLM, the USFS and other stakeholders throughout the year.”

For more information about volunteering or joining their mailing list please visit: www. socorro-trails.org

Jessica Carranza | Editor