Trail Shoes Albuquerque NM

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: New Mexico
Location: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Length: One-Way: 2.2 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 670 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Easy

Description: The Rattlesnake Canyon Trail is marked with rock cairns and crosses the canyon wash. Be sure to look carefully for the cairns on the other side. The trail begins with a steep 670-foot descent into Rattlesnake Canyon. As the trail winds through the canyon, you will pass seeps high on the canyon walls. The Rattlesnake Canyon Trail ends at the park boundary. Beyond the fence is private land. Please do not trespass. Retrace your route back to the Desert Loop Drive.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: New Mexico
Location: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Length: One-Way: 3.7 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 710 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Easy

Description: The Old Guano Road Trail is marked by rock cairns and is fairly level until the last quarter mile, when it drops steeply down to the White’s City campground. This trail is for day-use only, no camping.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: New Mexico
Location: Carson National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 5 miles
Trail type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 7200 feet
Elevation Change: 1125 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Devisadero Loop Trail heads through two very different forest types. On the south facing slope the trail travels through pinyons, juniper and some gambel oak. As the trail drops over to the north side of the mountain the environment is much darker and cooler with tall Douglas firs and white firs replacing the smaller drought resistant pinyon/juniper forest. Approximately 1/4 mile from the trailhead you will encounter a fork in the trail. The right fork goes directly up to the Devisadero Peak (el. 8,304 feet). The left fork has switchbacks which will take you up to the ridgeline. Once on the ridgeline you can follow the trail eastward to Devisadero Peak. Devisadero means a “lookout” point or place. The peak had once been used by the Taos Pueblo Indians to stand guard against the Apaches who would come down Taos Canyon in raid the pueblo. In summer, there is quite an array of beautiful wildflowers. There are several vista overlook points along this trail. Looking westward are beautiful views of the town of Taos, the Rio Grande Gorge and San Antonio Mountain. Looking northward you will see the Taos Pueblo and the Wheeler Peak Wilderness area.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: New Mexico
Location: Carson National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3.7 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8700 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1150 feet
Elevation Change: 2800 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: Mixed conifers characterize the 3.7 mile Italianos Canyon Trail located on the south facing slope of the Rio Hondo Canyon. Like most trails in this area, Italianos Trail follows the canyon bottom most of the time, but gains 2,800 feet in elevation. For this reason avalanche hazard during the winter and early spring is a special consideration. There is water available along the entire Length of the canyon, but should be properly treated before consumption. For short trips, take a supply of water from home or other domestic source. Day Hiking, backpacking, pack and saddle as well as back country camping is permitted along the entire Length of the trail. If you pack it in, please pack it out. Motorized vehicle use is not allowed. The Italianos Canyon Trail provides access to Lobo Peak, Flag Mountain, Gold Hill and to the proposed Columbine/Hondo Wilderness Study Area. After snow begins to fall, it is common to see snowshoers and backcountry skiers along the Italianos Canyon Trail.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
Location: Carson National Forest
Length: One-Way: 4 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 10300 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11495 feet
Elevation Change: 1195 feet
Best Season: July to October
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Lost Lake Trail begins at the parking area along the jeep road to Middle Fork Lake. Both sides of the jeep road are fenced in for about the 1/4 mile to prevent trespass on the surrounding land. Visitors Hiking the Lost Lake Trail must stay on the road. The road forks at the creek crossing. The fork going straight is gated and closed to the public. Take the fork to the left and cross the creek at the footbridge. The elevation at the creek crossing is 9,650 feet. For the next mile, follow the trail along the east side of the creek. At times you follow the jeep trail as it switches back and forth on its way to Middle Fork Lake. Middle Fork Lake is not in the wilderness. Foot and horseback travelers on the Lost Lake Trail should note that this road is heavily used by motorcycles and four-wheel drive vehicles during the summer months. You will reach the trailhead to Lost Lake at the river crossing. The trail is signed and is to your left. It weaves through Douglas-fir and white fir stands and goes up the slope to some breathtaking vista points. After traveling about two miles, the trail leaves the forest and crosses a saddle on the ridge. The country opens up into small meadows with some aspen and scattered stands of spruce. Continue up through these lovely openings across several rock outcroppings. When the snow falls, the Lost Lake Trail becomes a nice winter adventure for snowshoers.