To reach the trailhead, go east on U.S Highway 380 out of Capitan approximately 9 miles to the intersection with United States Forest Road (USFS) 57. Turn left (north) onto USFS Road 57 and follow it for about 6 miles to the junction with USFS Road 502. Road 57 veers to the left and is poorly marked. The most obvious sign is an "End of County Maintenance" sign although a small sign with a "57" is also present. Continue on Road 57 for approximately 7.5 miles to the Pancho Canyon Trailhead sign on the right. The first 6 miles on Road 57 are over an improved dirt road suitable for any vehicle. However, the last 7.5 miles on Road 57 requires a high-clearance vehicle, although 4-wheel drive is not required. Large rocks protruding out of the road are the primary obstacles.

The Pancho Canyon Trailhead is actually located 1 mile north of the sign on Road 57 at the end of USFS Road 536. It is easiest to park just off of Road 57 and walk up Road 536 to the official trailhead. Road 536 is an extremely rough, primitive road requiring 4-wheel drive that can be probably be hiked faster than it can be driven.

A sign marks the location of the Pancho Canyon Trailhead at the end of Road 536. Pancho Canyon Trail (62) begins just behind the sign. The trail climbs gently through pinyon pines and junipers along the slope just east of the dry, Pancho Canyon stream bed for about 1 mile. Views of Sierra Blanca and the Sacramento Mountains are available from here. The trail then crosses over a couple of dry washes in the bottom of Pancho Canyon and begins switchbacking up a ridge on the west side of Pancho Canyon. Burned trees begin appearing along this ridge. Note how many of the larger trees survived the fire. Ponderosa pines have become numerous and the first Douglas firs appear. Picturesque views of rock cliffs and pillars in upper Pancho Canyon also are available from this stretch of trail.

The trail climbs along the ridge for another mile prior to returning to the bottom of a tributary canyon as shown on the USFS topo map. A hike with a moderate-difficulty rating can be created by selecting this location as the turnaround point. The hike would be reduced to 6 miles round-trip, a 1,200-feet elevation gain and an estimated hiking time of 4.5 hours.

The trail seems to disappear in the bottom of the tributary canyon but can easily be picked up again east of the dry stream bed at the base of the slope. The entire nature of the hike changes at this juncture. The area above and west of this location experienced a partial burn durng the summer of 1994. As a result, erosion and deadfall have obscured some areas of the trail. Old tree blazes and rock cairns (piles) help in following the trail through the obscured areas. The trail stays on the east side of the canyon bottom and is found easily enough even if it is temporarily lost. The challenge is increased even further by a 1,000-feet elevation gain over the next mile. Woodpeckers are numerous throughout this area due to the large numbers of dead trees for them to work over.

After climbing for almost a mile up the canyon bottom, the trail switchbacks a few times, emerges on a ridge, and appears to end. Follow the rock cairns around to the opposite side of the ridge and the trail will begin again. The trail continues for another 1/4 mile and emerges on a second ridge. Similar to the last ridge, the trail seems to end but can be located just over and around it.

The trail contours for another 1/4 mile and again appears to end on a severely eroded slope. Once again, look for the rock cairns to guide the way. The trail climbs briefly onto the ridge that forms the drainage divide for the Capitan Mountains. The charred timber hides the view at this location. Proceed up the ridge about 75 yards to a grassy knoll where a 270-degree view is available. This knoll is the turnaround point for the hike. Retrace the route back to the trailhead to conclude the hike.

Camping locations are abundant along the lower 2/3 of the trail. The grassy knoll at the end of the hike has enough level real estate to pitch a tent, but getting a backpack and water up there would be a monumental task for anyone! No water is usually present along any portion of the hike, so plan on packing all the water that will be needed. Carry a minimum of 3 quarts of water to dayhike this trail. Consider more depending on personal requirements and the temperature.

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