Truchas Lakes

Starting at the ski basin above Santa Fe, where parking is ample and the drive to reach it is staggeringly beautiful, you head north from the bottom of the parking lot from a well marked trailhead.  The climb starts right out of the gate, and at a starting altitude of 10,000 ft above sea level you feel its toll right off the bat.  This hike isn't overly long at 6.2 miles out and back, but the s...

Accessible June through October, snow lingers on the trail late into the summer. This is a very popular, well-marked route so if it's solitude you're seeking, you'll probably be disappointed. At least on the weekend.The trailhead is at the parking lot for Ski Santa Fe. You'll climb from 10,250 to 11,700 feet elevation at Lake Katherine. If you're feeling ambitious, you can hike Santa Fe Baldy f...

Aspen Vista Road (Forest Road 150) starts at an elevation of 10,000 feet and climbs up through a large stand of beautiful aspen and pine trees to the summit of Tesuque Peak at an elevation of 12,045 feet (note the Aspen grove is one large living being as all the roots are interconnected). These photos were taken the middle September over a couple of years when the leaves start to change.The hi...

Starting at an elevation of 10,000 feet at the Santa Fe Ski Basin, a right turn at the Winsor trail starts a steep climb for .5 miles until the wilderness boundary gate. From there, the trail descends slightly, taking a path along the ridge through mossy pines and emerald stones. A mile later, you find yourself amid the regal Aspens with views of Baldy towering above. After two stream crossings...

Hyde Memorial State Park yurts are nestled high in the Sangre de Cristo mountains amongst the ponderosa pines, and sleep six and provide a modern setting with roots in ancient tradition. Their location in the State Park provide easy access to park's vast trail system.Each bed has  an encapsulated dense foam mattresses that can be grouped together in various configurations. While there is no ele...

Pacheco Canyon Road / Forest Service Road #102 leads from the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos deep into the mountains, beginning with breathtaking views across to Valles Caldera (particularly at sunset) and ending deep in the mountains near Big Tesuque Campground after more than 2100' of elevation gain. Along the road there are numerous trails which can be taken as a loop. Note that the road...