Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82 · U.S. Forest Service
This vista, located just NW of the Village of Cloudcroft, offers a majestic view of the 1899 railroad trestle called the Mexican Canyon Trestle via US82.
Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82
U.S. Forest Service
This overlook on the Sunspot Scenic Byway sits at 8,517 feet, just northwest of the Village of Cloudcroft, and looks out toward the Mexican Canyon Trestle, a railroad trestle built in 1899, along US82. The terrain drops 372 feet within 600 meters of the overlook, and the view faces 270°, directly toward the sunset. Alamogordo lies 13.1 miles west-southwest, Tularosa is 17.5 miles west-northwest, and Ruidoso is 25.8 miles north. Sunset times vary through the year, from around 17:01 at the December solstice to 20:15 at the June solstice, with equinox sunsets near 19:01–19:15. The Trestle Vista Observation Site precedes this stop, and the Haynes Canyon Vista Observation Site follows it along the byway.
Access
0.3 mi detour
Elevation
8,517 ft
View
West · 270°
Light
Best at sunset
Relief
372 ft drop
Light
This overlook faces sunset — 0° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:08 | 19:15 | 18:42 |
| June solstice | 05:56 | 20:15 | 19:39 |
| September equinox | 06:52 | 19:01 | 18:29 |
| December solstice | 07:03 | 17:01 | 16:23 |
Local time (America/Denver). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
- Alamogordo13.1 mi west-southwest
- Tularosa17.5 mi west-northwest
- Ruidoso25.8 mi north
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How high is Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82?
Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82 sits at about 8,517 feet (2,596 m).
Is Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82 better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunset. The land falls away from Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82 toward the sunset, so at sunrise the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
What is the nearest town to Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82?
Alamogordo, 13 miles WSW of Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82.
What is the next lookout after Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82?
Haynes Canyon Vista Observation Site is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista US82.
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More lookouts on Sunspot Scenic Byway
Named places near this lookout
- Cloud Climbing Railroad Historical Marker Park · 0.43 mi
- Cloudcroft Lodge Historic Site Attraction · 0.43 mi
- Sacramento Mountains Historical Society Museum Museum · 0.7 mi
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- Alamo Peak Peak · 7.29 mi
- Alamogordo Astronaut Memorial Historic site · 10.49 mi
- Astronaut Memorial Garden Garden · 10.49 mi