The Argentina Canyon Loop is a popular hike featuring gorgeous forest scenery, running streams and alpine meadows. Elk sightings are not uncommon along the upper reaches of this hike.

The hike begins at an elevation of approximately 7,820 feet at the Bonito trailhead located at the intersection of Argentina Canyon and Bonito Creek. The trail climbs steadily up Bonito Creek, turns up Little Bonito Creek, loops around to Argentina Springs and then back down Argentina Canyon to the trailhead.

To reach the trailhead, take U.S. Hwy 48 north out of Ruidoso approximately 10 miles to the junction with Highway 37. Turn left onto Highway 37 and go approximately 2 miles to the intersection with United States Forest Service (USFS) Road 107. Turn left onto USFS Road 107 and go approximately 8.5 miles to the trailhead located at the end of the road. The road is narrow and paved until the final 4.5 miles. The last 4.5 miles of road consists of improved dirt but is passable by car.

The hike starts on Big Bonito Trail (36) and climbs slowly up Bonito Creek. Bonito Creek is usually nothing more than a streambed full of rocks in the vicinity of the trailhead.

Less than 1/4 mile from the trailhead, the Big Bonito Trail passes a mine entrance located on the south side of the stream bed. This mine is called the Bonita #1. The entrance is approximately four feet wide by five feet high. The mine extends south into the hillside for about 40 feet and then turns 90 degrees toward the east for another 15 feet. The mine is sunk on an altered zone that contains disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. Trace amounts of silver have been detected in recent samples collected from the mine. The floor of the mine is very rocky and would not make a suitable shelter for any length of time.

Continue another 1/4 mile up the canyon and the previously dry creek bed is suddenly full of flowing water with several large pools. Down the canyon from this point the water table is below the ground surface, so the streambed is dry.

After hiking approximately 1 mile, the crumbling headframe of the Silver Spoon Mine appears on the south side of the creek. The mine shaft is partially caved but is reported to be approximately 150 feet deep. Recent samples collected near the shaft entrance assayed at only about 1.5 ounces of silver per ton of rock.

Continue 1/3 mile past the Silver Spoon Mine to the intersection of the Big Bonito Trail with Little Bonito Trail (37). Take the Little Bonito Trail and continue west up Little Bonito Creek.

The majority of the trees in this part of the canyon consist of limber pines, Douglas firs and ponderosa pines. The large, light tan cones that are prolific along the trail are a courtesy of the limber pines.

Approximately 1/2 mile past the intersection of the Big Bonito and Little Bonito Trails, Little Bonito Trail (37) crosses over to the south side of the creek and ascends a ridge. The path returns to the Little Bonito canyon bottom after 1/4 mile, only to find the creek no longer has any water. Note the sudden proliferation of white firs along this stretch of trail.

The route crosses back to the north side of the creek bottom where the trail rejoins Little Bonito canyon. A secondary trail continues up the canyon along the streambed but the Little Bonito Trail angles up the ridge toward the intersection with Cut Across Trail (38).

The Cut Across Trail, as it's name implies, cuts across the ridge and down into Argentina Canyon. A hike with a very easy difficulty rating can be created by using this trail. This trail would reduce the hiking distance to 4 miles round-trip, the net elevation gain to 940 feet and the estimated hiking time to 3 hours.

Little Bonito Trail (37) continues west for about 1/3 mile until it emerges on the high divide at the head of Little Bonito canyon. This area is comprised mostly of open meadows with interspersed conifers and Gambel oaks and is quite picturesque. A myriad of trails intersect on the divide.

Continue the hike by turning north onto Crest Trail (25) and proceeding toward Argentina Peak. The Crest Trail is moderately steep and loose for the first 1/4 mile but improves thereafter. A magnificent view of the upper Little Bonito and Bonito Creek drainages presents itself where the trail turns toward the east and begins contouring around Argentina Peak. This spot is a great place to watch for elk feeding along the edges of the meadows, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

As the trail continues north over the ridge into the Argentina Canyon drainage, Nogal Peak dominates the view. Continue north for another 1/2 mile to the intersection with Clear Water Trail (42). To the northwest, the Malpais Lava Flow stretches out like a black river on the floor of the Tularosa Basin. After admiring the view, turn right (east) onto the Clear Water Trail and proceed about 150 yards to Argentina Springs.

Argentina Springs consists of a series of seeps. The upper seep area is boggy and protected from livestock and/or horse damage by a log-fence enclosure. A small catch basin is present in the rocks below the enclosure where drinking water can be obtained during wet seasons.

Argentina Canyon Trail (39) intersects with Clear Water Trail (42) at Argentina Spring. Take the Argentina Canyon Trail and continue downhill toward the trailhead. The trail intersects with Cut Across Trail (38) about 1 mile below (southeast) of Argentina Spring in a small meadow. A sign marks the intersection. Upper Argentina Canyon supports large numbers of aspen trees and although pretty any time of year, they are especially beautiful during the fall.

Continue downhill on the Argentina Canyon Trail for another 1.5 miles to the trailhead to conclude the hike. Note the huge Douglas firs along the trail during this final descent. Small amounts of water are generally present in the streambed in Argentina Canyon, especially the lower half of the canyon.

The best camping locations along the route are on small terraces along Bonito Creek and in Argentina Canyon due to the proximity of seasonal water. The high ground along the Crest Trail has some good campsites but the closest potential source of water would be Argentina Spring.