Hike the Leasburg Slot Canyon

Leasburg Slot Canyon is a 2.4 mile trail that offers a unique experience that is close to Interstate 25. The directions will take you to the banks of the Rio Grande where you can park anywhere along the dirt road that is convenient. This hike should only be attempted in the late fall or winter because crossing the Rio Grande is necessary to get there. Please don't cross if the water is high! I removed my socks and shoes, pushed my pants up to my knees and walked through shallow water and mud to make it to the other side. Once you cross the river there is a small field that you will have to walk through to find a dirt road. From here you will walk North until you see an old cattle pen. To the left of the cattle pen is where you will start heading towards the mountains, there is no designated trail, but rather several small washes that you follow until you meet a main wash that leads you into the canyon. The required route finding through the washes is why I marked this hike as intermediate, otherwise it's rather easy terrain to hike on. Once you reach the canyon you will start following a slot in the canyon for about a half mile until it opens back up. After a little over a mile from the start, you will turn back around and head back the way you came. This is definitely worth the river crossing and route finding through the washes!