Attractions and Places To See around Twin Forks - Top 4

Climbing Highway 82 towards Cloudcroft from Alamogordo takes you on a dramatic journey, ascending from the stark Chihuahuan Desert floor high into the cool, pine-scented Sacramento Mountains. Prepare for a very long and sustained ascent over approximately 16-18 miles, gaining over 4,300ft as you climb towards the high-altitude village of Cloudcroft, situated near 8,700ft. You'll have to deal with relentless gradients averaging around 5%, though some sections through the canyons and switchbacks will likely feel steeper, potentially pushing 7-8%. As you ride, enjoy the spectacular views opening up behind you across the vast Tularosa Basin, potentially spotting White Sands National Park in the distance.

Super cool train ruins.

Dark Canyon is not as dark and scary as the name might make it out to be. On the contrary, the trail runs mainly through wide open meadows with amazing greenery. There are a couple of freshwater springs along the trail, so you should never be short of drinking water.

Starting on Russian Canyon Road, just past the Lucas Canyon Trailhead, the Chippeway Trail snakes its way up steep pitches before plateauing on the ridgeline. The trail can be quite exposed at times, so during the summer months take caution in the hot New Mexico sun. One of the most interesting parts of this trail is the amount of fossils you can find in the exposed limestone boulders. It is not uncommon to come across trilobite fossils.

Built in 1899, this old railway bridge is one of the few still standing in the area. It 320 feet long and stands 50 feet above the canyon floor. Hikers cannot walk across the trestle, as it is a registered historical place. The hiking trail continues around the bridge on the canyon floor.

Osha Trail is a 2.5 mile hike out of Cloudcroft up into the hills. After a relatively steep climb, the trail flattens out and hikers are rewarded with beautiful views of the Sacramento mountains and a spectacular view of Bailey Canyon to the south. There are multiple parking areas with different trailheads to reach the trail, although for the best views you should to start at the southern trailhead nearest to Cloudcroft.