PECOS WILDERNESS
The Pecos Wilderness is a vast and wonderful recreation area providing
for excellent day hikes as well as much longer sojourns into the
wilderness via boot and pack. The Pecos wilderness is 223,333 acres
and gained its wilderness designation in 1933The Pecos wilderness
is a world able to paint a thousand pictures with towering Alpine
Peaks, shimmering aspens crystal trout streams with native cutthroat
throat, turquoise lakes. If you are really looking for the ultimate
in New Mexico wilderness experiences look no farther, a lifetime
awaits you. Listen for bugle of the elk as you awaken to a New Mexico
sunrise.
The vast nature and extreme topography of the Pecos Wilderness make it
a difficult place to travel. If you do go for an extended journey use
the greatest precaution and travel with a partner. There are many Maps
and guides available for planning a successful trip into the Pecos wilderness.
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Truchas Peaks
Hamilton Mesa
Santa Fe Baldy
Lake Katherine
Hiking up Santa Fe Baldy
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Access from North
The Northern access Point is near the town of Truchas, NM.
These are the points of access for the Truchas Peaks, some of New
Mexico’s Highest towering over 13,000 feet. These are remote
access points and guidebooks as well as maps should be consulted
before journeying into the wilderness. San Leandro Lakes as well
as the Brazos Cabin can be accessed from the these Northern gateways.
Be cautious as to not leave valuables in your auto as New Mexico
trail heads have experienced a fare share of break ins.
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Santa Barbara Campground
- Truchas Peaks and Lakes, 12-14 miles
Change in elevation: 3,200 to the lakes; 4,300 to the peak.
Hike rating: moderate to difficult; no trail to summit.
- Horseshoe Lake, 11 miles
Change in elevation: 2,600 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
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Trampas Canyon Campground
- San Leonardo Lakes, 5 miles
Change in elevation: 2,500 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
- Hidden Lake, 6 miles
Change in elevation: 2,200 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
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Access from South
Access to southern trail heads can be found via the town
of Pecos and the Pecos canyon. The Pecos Canyon follows the Pecos
river for twenty Miles to the top of the canyon. This is a great
jump off point for Pecos Baldy, Stewart Lake, Spirit Lake as well
as Santa Fe Baldy and Lake Katherine. Back Packers should consider
lightweight flyfishing gear for these magnificent high alpine lakes
as well as the Pecos river. Car Camping is available at Holy Ghost
Creek as well as Jacks Creek campground and Horsethief Meadows. |
Winsor Creek Campground
- Stewart Lake, 8 miles
Change in elevation: 1,500 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
- Lake Johnson, 12 miles
Change in elevation: 2,800 feet.
Hike rating: moderate to strenuous.
Panchuela Campground
- Horse Thief Meadow, 5 miles
Change in elevation: 1,400 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
- Pecos Baldy/Pecos Baldy Lake
10 to 12 miles
Change in elevation: 4,100 feet to the peak, 3,000 to the lake.
Hike rating: moderate to strenuous.
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Jack's Creek Campground
- Beatty's Cabin, 8 miles
Change in elevation: 3,100 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
- Hamilton Mesa, 8 miles
Change in elevation: 1,400 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
Iron Gate Campground
- Mora Flats, 3 miles
Change in elevation: 100 feet.
Hike rating: easy to moderate.
- Pecos Falls, 9 miles
Change in elevation: 1,400 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
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| Access from West |
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Borrego Mesa Campground
- Trailriders Wall, 10 miles
Change in elevation: 3,000 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
- Joe Vigil Lake, 8 mileS
Change in elevation: 2,200 feet.
Hike rating: moderate
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Access from Southwest
The Southwest access points are the closest to downtown
Santa Fe an provide excellent day hikes as well as gateways to
the Pecos wilderness from the Southwest. Many of the same places
are accessed from this side as on the Pecos side. One can easily
climb Santa Fe Baldy or Lake Peak in a well planned day. This is
a very easy place to get your feet wet in the Pecos Wilderness
and is probable the most heavily traveled access point. Please
refer to the listed recommendations for more thorough information
regarding the hikes in this area. Day Hikes in Santa Fe, published
by the Sierra club is a great resource. |
Aspen Basin (Winsor Trail, lower Ski
Basin parking lot)
Santa Fe Ski Basin (Skyline Trail, top of
Tesuque Peak)
- Puerto Nambe, 4 miles.
Change in elevation: 2,000 feet (via Lake Peak).
Hike rating: moderate to difficult.
- Santa Fe Baldy, 7 miles.
Change in elevation: 2,200 feet.
Hike rating: difficult, no trail to summit.
- Lake Katherine, 7 miles.
Change in elevation: 1,600 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
- Spirit Lake, 7 miles.
Change in elevation: 600 feet.
Hike rating: moderate.
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