My alarm went off at 5am, I drove to the trailhead in the dark and started hiking at first light. Description From an intersection with Skyline Trail, follow this trail steeply to the top of Santa Fe Baldy and gaze down upon Lake Kathrine and know that it is ice-cold. Once you get up to the saddle before you start the trail to the peak you simply keep walking straight down the other side of the saddle and down to the lake, To summit you walk back up the trail to the saddle and hit the trail up the mountain. The cluster of peaks in the distance behind it includes Trucas Peak, New Mexico's 2nd (and 3rd) highest county high point. Turn around and make your way back along the ridge. Really great hike with some meadow views throughout and then the climb to the top. easy enough to do in one day but START EARLY!! Elevation: 10,250 feet to 12,622 feet (~3600 feet gain) Baldy is the Mother of all hikes in Santa Fe. There is no way I could have gone as far as I did without them (I would have definitely struggled on the return trip). The elevation was definitely felt but was manageable. At the mountains’ southern end is Glorieta Mesa, an area of hilly, grassy plains in the Basin and Range Province, with a landscape marked by colourful hills, mesas, and isolated… Santa Fe Baldy is the Southern Rockies premier mountain, boasting at an altitude of 12,622 feet. The trail is a bit hard to find from the saddle up to Santa Fe Baldy… It's located about 14 miles northeast of Santa Fe. Windy af at the top. 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. Santa Fe Baldy is the highest point in Santa Fe County, and if successful, this would be the last of the 33 county highpoints in New Mexico for me. Def recommend only hiking if you are very experienced and start early. Overview At that point the trail descends for the next Santa Fe Baldy, New Mexico Santa Fe Baldy is a summit located in Santa Fe County, NM at N35.83225° W105.75835° (NAD83) and at an elevation of 12621 ft MSL. Area Status: Open The Baldy trail is 6.4 miles long. It passes from the Santa Fe National Forest into the Pecos Wilderness. More than 80% of the trail is in the wilderness. the last trek up to Baldy at altitude is tough, but the views are incredible. Trail grows increasingly more difficult so bring water, snacks, and a map. August 15, 2017 May 29, 2020 The Santa Fe Travel Insider 2 Comments. so far best view in NM for me. This side trip adds on 4 miles roundtrip, but it gives you a good starting and ending point to summit the mountain. Definitely bag Baldy while you’re up there, it’s worth it. The Aspen leaves had fallen, creating a golden carpet over parts of the trail. Will be back to hike overnight. Instead, at the top of the saddle depart trail #251 to the left at an unsigned intersection on a much rougher trail that heads directly towards the open summit. Atalaya Mountain Hiking Trail. We backpacked in and camped at Lake Katherine. It is situated within the Pecos Wildnerness section of the Santa Fe National Forest, a vast, rugged wildnerness with … Sierra Blanca Peak, 11,977 feet You'll see a sign for Holy Ghost to the left. Santa Fe Baldy Hiked up via Deception Peak, Lake Peak, Penitente Peak, Puerto Nambe. We intended on staying 2 nights, hiking out on the third day. Trail stays in the woods for the most part, but great views when they pop out. From the 10,250-foot base of the Santa Fe ski basin, this lollipop loop rises into the Pecos Wilderness under a covering of aspen and fir, across rushing streams and through open meadows in a valley between 12,409-foot Lake Peak and 12,522-foot Santa Fe Baldy. Official Santa Fe, New Mexico tourism information, santa fe baldy, hotels, travel, museums, arts and culture, events, history, recreation, lodging, restaurants and more. Take a break to breathe and enjoy the spectacular views of Deception Peak when you reach the saddle, a flat open area before the rocky steep section starts. Unexpected wind and cold make the time up high feel a little rushed, but the views are just as grand. The last mile steep patch is worth the views, especially overlooking Lake Katherine. Located only 16 miles from the heart of Santa Fe, one of the most popular destinations in the US. The geologic story of Santa Fe Baldy. Baldy Fat Ass Race. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Don’t go to Lake Katherine. A city rich in culture, fine arts and exceptional cuisine, this is one of the country’s most diverse and unique ski destinations. Around mile 4 the snow started to really be a pain, and my feet were falling in almost every other step. At least on the weekend.The trailhead is at the parking... 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. The trailhead is at the parking lot for Ski Santa Fe. Santa Fe Baldy via Winsor Trail from Aspen Basin is an iconic out and back route for local New Mexicans who enjoy hiking or running. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is best used from April until November. The view from the top were awesome. Fire Info Hotline: (877) 971-FIRE (3473) Forest Map; Ranger District Information; Contact Us : Baldy Trail #176. There are spots for camping if you wish to do other day hikes below, like the spectacular Nambe Lake offshoot. Learn More. Getting there: From Santa Fe, drive up Hyde Park Road to the Ski basin and find Winsor Trail at the left part of the lower lot. Follow the valley up to the saddle between Lake Peak, Mt Penetente and Santa Fe Baldy. The day before we had met an old timer camping on the backside of the lake. In fact, it has the lowest water-to-land ratio of any of the 50 states in the US, and more than three quarters of the few lakes that exist are actually man made reservoirs. PLAN TO FILTER or TREAT YOUR OWN WATER. Be prepared for 0 degree or even lower temps closer to the top. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Summit Santa Fe's highest peak (~12,600). You'll climb from 10,250 to 11,700 feet elevation at Lake Katherine. Trail doesn’t get really difficult until mile 4 or 5. A mile later, you find yourself amid the regal Aspens with views of Baldy towering above. Awesome day hike but a bit hard for someone still getting their mountain legs. Recommend Yak Trax and/or ski poles to add friction. Beautiful day with good views of the Truchas Peaks and the Pecos. Designer Condo At Pueblo Encantado W/ Heated Pool, Luxury Pueblo Estate W/ Courtyard & Hot Tub, An Enchanting Casita W/ Patio & Kiva Fireplace, Backpack to Lake Katherine in the Pecos Wilderness. Then down again. It can be a little windy at the lake but for the most part it was sunny and warm. This is the last of the Sangre de Cristo peaks on this list. "Join a 'Meet-up' group or get a guide book to really experience the great hiking in and around Santa Fe." People train for this bad boy. It sits high at the southern terminus of the Rockies. It can be seen on the USGS 1:24K topographic map Aspen Basin, NM. adventures and follow local regulations. We spent too much time at the first two lakes, Awesome! Great hike last quarter was rough. Detailed 6 day mountain weather forecasts for climbers and mountaineers planning expeditions. Please explore responsibly! Very beautiful hike. From there, the trail descends slightly, taking a path along the ridge through mossy pines and emerald stones. I only did 5 miles of the trail due to weather coming in and starting late. 2322 foot elevation gain. The traverse continuing from Lake Peak is much easier to find as there are a lot fewer locals deciding to try some new way this time. This is not for the faint-of-heart. Santa Fe Baldy from Lake Peak. The trail to Santa Fe Baldy starts from the parking lot on the Santa Fe Ski Basin in the Santa Fe National Forest. The payoff for this trail was awesome!! Some knee deep drifts, otherwise just a couple inches of fresh powder. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! Tesuque Peak via Tesuque Creek North Fork Trail, Aspen Vista to Evergreen via Ridge South of Tesuque Peak, Lake Peak, Penitente Peak and Santa Fe Baldy Loop, Skyline Trail to Pecos Trail to Winsor Ridge Trail Loop. Website. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. My girlfriend and I did this trip in Spring. Summit Santa Fe's highest peak (~12,600). But snow shoes and poles saved the trip. The trail rolls through aspen and conifer forests before climbing towards Puerto Nambe. I normally hike in Sandias that are steeper, bit this hike has some down and flat spots that make it easier, and nothing too steep. Great place for day trip or multi-day backpack. Only saw a few other people on the trail headed up and more on the way back down headed in as we went out. We took almost an hour on the peak taking photos and soaking in the view and then saw mountains goats and deer on the way down and got tons of photos then too. my group did it pretty fast, 6 hours. Correction. this one has been on my list for years now and finally got to check it off! after about 20 min from starting our descent, we ran into a terrible hailstorm and sought shelter under some rocks until it passed. We walked at a leisurely pace and completed the ~14 mile round-trip hike in 8 hours. If you're heading from Pecos, take NM-63 north down an eerie, narrow road for about 13 miles. Little traffic in the morning, but was heavy by afternoon. A trail lead to the south away from the lake and eventually around the rim to the summit. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. A loop including some of the best peaks and lakes in the Pecos Wilderness accessible from the Santa Fe ski basin. Santa Fe Baldy, 12,622. Santa Fe: Santa Fe Baldy Knock off two Santa Fe must-dos--Lake Katherine, the most beautiful lake in NM, and illustrious Santa Fe Baldy—in one long day … Great hike! New Mexico is an arid state. Dogs are also able to use this trail. 7hrs, 14miles, Clear and well maintained. Looking down upon Nambe Lake. This is a strenuous day hike and is recommended as an overnight trip. I can’t wait to give this a shot in the summer! At 0.7 miles the signs let hikers know they are entering the Pecos Wilderness. Started at five am and got down by two pm. The trail is super easy to follow because of previous traffic, but after the saddle it’s not so clear anymore. Mountain (climbing) weather forecasts for 3 elevations of Santa Fe Baldy, Sangre de Cristo Range, Rocky Mountains (USA), United States. It was a very tough hike. Beautiful fall adventurer. Santa Fe Baldy via Windsor Trail is a 13.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Santa Fe, New Mexico that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. The dropoffs into the drainages, however, are steep, and you may have to lose quite a bit of elevation to reach water if the streams up high are unusually uncooperative. Great hike round-trip 14 miles the last 2 miles to the peak very challenging air is very thin but loved it great weather today, To me, not too difficult, even with altitude. This is a 27.5 mile out-and-back hike with 8200 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 10-14 hours to complete. 5. It's another 40-60 minutes to the top depending on your fitness level. I’ve always wanted to do this hike and so excited I finally got to and it was even better than I thought it was!!! Begin the last trudge up to the top of Santa Fe Baldy, at over 12,600 feet. My biggest vertical gain day--4600 feet. The views at the top are amazing though but I’d recommend starting early!! 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. It takes awhile. it’s pretty common the time of year to hit rain/thunder in the early afternoons. Santa Fe, NM Baldy Fat Ass Race. Tag: Santa Fe Baldy. Santa Fe Baldy, at the southern end of the Sangre de Christo Range, is the highest point in the cluster of mountains above the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The hike up Santa Fe Baldy passes through several high alpine biomes, which are especially delightful in the fall when the Aspens change colors. There is something magical about the woods on the Windsor trail. Shake it off and continue north along the obvious ridge to the rocky top of an unnamed peak about 3 miles away. Good morning, Pecos. 50 KM. We went in late October, and we had the entire trail to ourselves. Santa Fe Baldy via Windsor Trail is a 21.7 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Santa Fe, New Mexico that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. Accessible June through October, snow lingers on the trail late into the summer. The hike up Santa Fe Baldy passes through several high alpine biomes, which are especially delightful in the fall when the Aspens change colors. Most of the trail was a steady and pleasant incline, but I will say the last mile is tough and a little grueling. trail is pretty clear the whole way, but i downloaded the premium version of the AllTrails app beforehand to have the trail route on my phone just in case. Phone: (505) 438-5300 Fax: (505) 438-5390. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. There is no water on the course. Nearing the top ridge with view to Santa Fe Baldy summit. Hikers will start on the Windsor Trail (Trail 254), which immediately starts ascending with intermittent views of the Santa Fe Ski Area. Colorado has its fourteeners, but Santa Fe has a quartet of twelver summits: Lake (12,409 feet), Deception (12,308 feet), Penitente (12,249 feet) and Baldy (12,622 feet) all starting from the There are several different routes you could take, so pick up a detailed map and scope it out for yourself. If you dare to head out to this haunted campground, getting there can be a little confusing. Spectacular 360 views of the Pecos Wilderness, the Jemez Mountains, and the colorful Rio Grande valley. While this range is interesting for its youth—in geological terms, 30 million years is the new 30—and because it continues to rise, there are many other dramatic ranges in New Mexico to cover. Saw coyote tracks and either deer or sheep tracks :), beautiful trail but hard right now with the snow and cold weather. "From downtown Santa Fe, you can catch a quick Uber or rent a bike to ride to Dale Ball Trails, which is only 3-4 miles outside of town." Other articles where Santa Fe Baldy is discussed: Santa Fe: …the Southern Rocky Mountains, featuring Santa Fe Baldy and Lake Peak, both more than 12,000 feet (3,650 metres) in elevation. Holy Ghost Campground sits in the Santa Fe National Forest on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness. Backpacking Nirvana in the Santa Fe National Forest. Our plan was to summit 12,600 foot Santa Fe Baldy towering high above the lake. Essentially it is the beginning of the incredible range that extends into Canada. Flickr/Will Keightley. Do NOT attempt to summit if weather approaches. When my friend Richard, whom I met in June on West Spanish Peak in Colorado, posted that he was heading up Santa Fe Baldy, the highest mountain in the Sangre de Cristo range above Santa Fe, I asked if I could tag along. If you're feeling ambitious, you can hike Santa Fe Baldy from the saddle. Dogs are also able to use this trail. great view of lake katherine from the top as well :) also my walking time was closer to 6.5 hrs than what they suggest. But that wasn’t the path for us. The Holy Ghost Creek runs alongs... •• Effective September 4, 2020, visitors arriving in New Mexico from high-risk states may be required to self-quarantine for two weeks or... •• Due to local restrictions, parties of more than 5 are not allowed. I’m pretty new to mountain hiking, and even newer to winter hiking like this. This is a tough but beautiful run. I didn’t make it to the summit because it was too cold and windy after the saddle, but there wasn’t as much snow as I thought there would be. Walk all the way to the end and enjoy lunch looking over the elegant Lake Katherine. This is a very popular, well-marked route so if it's solitude you're seeking, you'll probably be disappointed. Santa Fe Baldy Weather (Days 3-6): Mostly dryTemperatures will be below freezing (max -3°C … Currently Windsor trail from the top of the first set of switchbacks (at entrance to Pecks Wilderness) until Rio Nambe crossing is icy. Ski Santa Fe prides itself on being family friendly and offers one of the best dollar values in the Southwest. August 8th 2020. After two stream crossings, you walk for four miles before the real strenuous work begins above the treeline. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Truchas Peak and Pecos Baldy, located in Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico. A map will be provided prior to the start. My partner would be my wife, Beth. In summer, start early and be prepared for afternoon storms. Santa Fe National Forest Headquarters 11 Forest Lane Santa Fe, NM 87508. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is best used from April until November. We camped at Lake Katherine which is at the base of the big mountain Baldy. Santa Fe Baldy looks like a big lump from the valley, and in the north-south direction, it basically is. A mist covered us when we reached the saddle, but the clouds dissipated just in time for as we started our summit. This trail is named after Russian mountaineer Anatoli Boukreev, who lived in Santa Fe. Order My Santa Fe Travel Guide The Santa Fe National Forest is home to some of the most picturesque alpine scenery in the Southwest. It is a well-known peak in a beautiful part of the state, so it was somewhat by design that I "saved" this peak for last. Great trail with ample opportunities to see the changing aspens (away from the crowds). It begins at Forest Road 79 and ends at Glorieta Baldy. It's challenging and it's one of the highest peaks in the area. Santa Fe Baldy is the bald peak on the left heading up the valley. Results. 14 miles roundtrip (out-and-back). Courses. Are incredible into the summer best used from April until November a,. 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Rolls through Aspen and conifer forests before climbing towards Puerto Nambe, getting there can be a little,... 'S another 40-60 minutes to the rocky top of Santa Fe Travel Insider 2 Comments has been on my for!