The hike begins at an elevation of approximately 7,520 feet at the South Fork Trailhead located just above Bonito Lake. The trail climbs gently up the South Fork of Rio Bonito, turns up Peacock Canyon, loops around the Crest Trail to near Monjeau Lookout and then back down Rodamaker 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. Look for the sign pointing the way to Bonito Lake. Turn left onto USFS Road 107 and go approximately 5 miles to the intersection with USFS Road 107C (South Fork Campground turnoff) located about 1/2 mile past Bonito Lake. Turn left onto Road 107C and go past the entrance to the Westlake and South Fork Campgrounds to the end of the road. Free parking is available in the center of the turnaround loop at the end of the road. Most any other parking places require a fee as they are associated with the campgrounds. USFS Road 107 is narrow but paved and is easily traversed by car.

The hike begins at the South Fork Trailhead on South Fork Trail (19). This trail generally follows the South Fork Rio Bonito. The trail crosses the stream twice but split logs straddle the stream at each location making the crossings easy. Follow the South Fork Trail for about one mile to the intersection with Peacock Trail (18). This intersection is located just past the cutoff for Bluefront Trail (33) and is marked with a sign. Turn left (southeast) onto the Peacock Trail and begin the 1.500 vertical-feet climb to Crest Trail (25). Peacock Trail (18) follows the bottom of a tributary canyon for 1/3 mile and then crosses over a ridge and continues up the upper portion of Peacock Canyon. Most of the vegetation along this ascent consists of Douglas and white firs, Gambel oaks, and ponderosa pines. Portions of the upper trail are fairly steep and loose, but otherwise the trail is in good condition and easy to follow. The shear size of the South Fork Rio Bonito Canyon becomes evident by this time as it unfolds below.

After climbing for 1.5 miles, the Peacock Trail intersects with Crest Trail (25) on the divide between Eagle Creek and the South Fork of the Rio Bonito. The most difficult portion of the hike is now compleated, the remainder is easy going.

Turn left (east) onto Crest Trail (25) and proceed toward Monjeau Lookout. The trail passes out of the timber and across the upper end of a huge alpine meadow at the head of Waltsmith Canyon (erroneously called Wall Smith Canyon on the USFS topo map). Great views of Buck Mountain, Nogal Peak, and the upper Eagle and Bonito Creek drainages are available from the Crest Trail.

Follow the Crest Trail for about one mile to the intersection with Rodamaker Canyon Trail (20) and Telephone Canyon Trail (12). Turn north onto the Rodamaker Canyon Trail and begin descending steeply to the canyon bottom. Upon reaching the bottom, the trail follows along the west side of the dry stream bed. Just below the 'springs' marked on the topo map, small running water is generally present in the stream bed. The trail meanders back and forth across the small creek but for the most part stays along the canyon bottom.

Continue down Rodamaker Canyon for approximately 1.5 miles and the trail emerges at a switchback of an old road. The switchback that heads up the ridge leads to an old mine shaft. This shaft is reported to be approximately 200 feet deep. The switchback of the road that heads down the canyon is the continuation of the Rodamaker Canyon Trail. About 75 yards down the trail (old road) a shallow mine was excavated just west of the trail. Notice the quartz vein exposed in the roof of the mine.

Approximately 150 yards below the mine just described, another shallow mine and a prospect pit are present on the opposite (east) side of the canyon bottom. These workings were also sunk on a quartz vein.

Continue north on the Rodamaker Canyon Trail for another 1/2 mile to the back of the Westlake Campground. This campground is privately owned by the City of Alamogordo. Follow the road west thru the campground to Road 107C and then north back to the trailhead.

Camping locations are abundant along the lower portion of the South Fork Rio Bonito but most of them have the 'trampled to death' look due to overuse. A few campsites are present along the Crest Trail but there is no access to water. Rodamaker Canyon has two or three locations per mile that would make good campsites for small groups. The best reason to camp in Rodamaker Canyon is that running water is usually present in the stream bed. Although Rodamaker Canyon is easily accessable, it doesn't have the trampled look of South Fork. Please help keep it that way.

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