Graduation Canyon - Graduation Point

Graduation Point may be reached by taking a short hike from East Park Playlot, but then you would miss beautiful Graduation Canyon!  

Graduation Point Overlook. Photo by Gordon McDonough

Commencement in Graduation Canyon, 1921 (Courtesy of Los Alamos Historical Society Archive)

Getting There
Park at the end of Pine Street. Follow the fence of the playlot heading east. From here, the trail is a bit tricky to see because it is on rocks, but head right (south) and you will find a trail that leads down into Graduation Canyon. The hike to the stunning view at the point is about one mile long. This can be a simple out and back hike, or one may continue around to the north side of the mesa on the Jim Billen Trail. 
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History Nugget
​The Los Alamos Ranch School held graduation ceremonies at Graduation Point (where Graduation Canyon joins the larger Pueblo Canyon) in 1921 and 1923. The graduates rode to the ceremony on horseback while the audience watched from rocks covered with Indian blankets.

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Read More Graduation Canyon History

Imagine
If you were having a special ceremony, where would you like to hold it?  
​What makes a location special?

​Notice/Explore
Find this old car (right) in the drainage to the right (south side) of the Graduation Canyon Trail. It is a history mystery! If you know anything about this car, the Los Alamos Historical Society would love to talk with you. 

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