Cenotes Rim, Shadow Canyon, and Bluff Trail in Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM

Hike Cenotes Rim, Shadow Canyon, and Bluff Trail Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM

Class 2 3.9 miles 300 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Feb 16, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Cenotes Rim, Shadow Canyon, and Bluff Trail GPX Track

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Starting from the visitor center, head up a ridge above Cottonwood Lake, the first of the sinkholes, also known as cenotes. Continue along the rim of the cenotes, off-trail, until the last pair, then head down to the Park Service Road. From here, a canyon should be visible on the left, Shadow Canyon. Sidenote: I asked a ranger about this canyon since it wasn't named anywhere on maps, and he said aparently Billy the Kid hung out in there? Yay history! Anyway, I decided to go up the north fork, and then back through the south fork. You should be able to see a sign for the Bluff Trail, a super boring interpretive trail that leads to Lea Lake.

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There is a trail next to the parking area to Cottonwood Lake, the first cenote on my route. I decided to go north and ascend the ridge to get to the top of Cottonwood Lake.
There is a trail next to the parking area to Cottonwood Lake, the first cenote on my route. I decided to go north and ascend the ridge to get to the top of Cottonwood Lake.
Looking down into Cottonwood Lake.
Looking down into Cottonwood Lake.
Continuing along the rim of the cenotes, Mirror Lake coming up.
Continuing along the rim of the cenotes, Mirror Lake coming up.
Mirror Lake.
Mirror Lake.
Mirror Lake, some interesting colors along the rim.
Mirror Lake, some interesting colors along the rim.
Inkwell Lake, likely my favorite of the cenotes.
Inkwell Lake, likely my favorite of the cenotes.
Figure Eight Lake.
Figure Eight Lake.
Figure Eight Lake.
Figure Eight Lake.
Head down on an easy slope from the rim and enter Shadow Canyon.
Head down on an easy slope from the rim and enter Shadow Canyon.
Shadow Canyon's left fork.
Shadow Canyon's left fork.
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Crazy salty formations.
Crazy salty formations.
Image 13 from gallery
Exiting Shadow Canyon's left fork.
Exiting Shadow Canyon's left fork.
Through open desert for a short time.
Through open desert for a short time.
Entering Shadow Canyon's right fork.
Entering Shadow Canyon's right fork.
Follow Shadow Canyon's right fork until you get back to the entrance to the canyons.
Follow Shadow Canyon's right fork until you get back to the entrance to the canyons.
Image 18 from gallery
The Bluff Trail starts just outside Shadow Canyon.
The Bluff Trail starts just outside Shadow Canyon.
Bluff Trail, super boring.
Bluff Trail, super boring.
Image 21 from gallery
Bluff Trail leads to Lea Lake, which is also accessible by car.
Bluff Trail leads to Lea Lake, which is also accessible by car.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!