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Tuff Canyon is recommended as a worthwhile stop by the park's trip planner. It is located before the stunning peak of Cerro Castellan at mile 20 from Castolan-Santa Elena Junction.




Cerro Castolan is a layered mountain formed from pyroclastic rocks of a lava dome at its pinnacle. Rhyolite, breccia and basalt are the layers that made up this mountain from top to bottom. As I got off the car, my eyes were glued to this incredible rock - Cerro Castolon. An inspiring sight to behold. Indeed a significant peak on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Nobody should miss this giant rock!

Tuff Canyon does offer two platforms for overlook and a short trail to explore. One of them is East Overlook which would take you to learn the anatomy of Tuff Canyon. An arroyo or a wash, this is what describes Tuff Canyon the best. Belongs to Blue Creek, it is a dry creek bed and occasionally may fill water after a heavy rain or flash flood. When this happen, the swift and powerful flash flood cut through deep onto its bedrock. But the light gray volcanic tuff of this canyon is relatively cohesive (compares to gravel or shale) somehow resists the widening effects which resulted Tuff Canyon is carved much narrower and deeper than other washes.




Not too far from West Overlook, the Tuff Canyon Trail trailhead starts with gravel path across desert land, descending between the sheer walls to the desert floor. It offers a close look of the canyon anatomy and the geologic layers. Relatively, an easy hike and the round trip is just three-quarter mile.

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