Hiking with Kids
Chamisa Trail
Length: 4.75 miles Round Trip
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 7800ft to 8500 ft
Seasonal: 4S (Snow in winter possible)
Driving Distance: 6 Miles
The Chamisa trail is an easy hike only six miles from the plaza. The Chamisa
Trail is well defined and hikes through rolling terrain and meadows for 4.75
miles round trip. The hike will take you through large stands of evergreen trees.
This is an enjoyable hike or trail run close to town. Please reference USGS:
Aspen Basin for accurate trail information.
Directions: Follow Paseo de Peralta to Washington Ave on the North end
of Paseo de Peralta. Turn away from the plaza heading north on Washington
Avenue to artist rd (ski Basin rd). Follow the Ski Basin rd. 5.6 miles
to a wide canyon with two prominent parking areas on the south and north
sides of the rd. Park on the north side. Locate trailhead and follow to
big Tesuque creek.
More Information is available in the Sierra Club Day Hikes of Santa Fe.
Borrego - Bear Wallow - Winsor Loop
Length: 4 miles Round Trip
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 8240 to 8800 ft
Seasonal: 3 Season (Snow in winter: Snowshoe)
Driving Distance: 8.5 Miles
The Borrego Trail located just a few miles up the road from the Chamisa
Trail head and is another excellent choice for hikers and Trail runners
alike. The Borrego is a loop hike that follows three trail systems for
approximately four miles. The Borrego Trail is a well defined trail that
winds through lush Pines with rolling elevation dropping down to Big Tesuque
Creek and a lovely meadow perfect for a picnic. The trail follows the Winsor
trail for a short distance west to the Bear Wallow Trail. Follow the Bear
wallow trail Uphill until it reconnects with the Borrego Trail.
USGS: Aspen Basin & McClure Reservoir
Directions: Follow the same instructions as Chamisa trail. Follow Ski
Basin rd 8.3 miles to Borrego Trail Head. The Parking lot ill be on your
left.
Dale Ball Trail System
Dale Ball Central
Trail Length 7+ miles
These trails incorporate some older trails that have been fixed up, and some
new sections that are really fun. There is a little more climbing than the
North section and the tread is not quite as smooth. Don't forget to ride the
connector trails to vary distances and experiences.
Trail Directions: There are two access points: one at the North trail
head on NM 475 at Sierra del Norte and the other near the intersection
of Cerro Gordo and Upper Canyon Road.
Dale Ball North
Trail Length 6 or 7 +/- miles
These are new trails and the first of many more miles to come. They are tricky,
technical single-track twisters through the pinon woods in the foothills over
looking Santa Fe. The tread is good and fast but watch out for the soft shoulders
and tight switchbacks. The outside loop is about 5 miles +/- with cut off trails
to vary distances. The next system to be built will stretch south to the Atalaya
mountain trail adding another 17 miles they say.
Trail Directions: From downtown Santa Fe drive toward the Ski Basin on
Hyde Park Road (NM 475). Look for the trailhead parking lot on the left
(north).
Dale Ball South
Trail Length 5 miles
Mostly a trail for hikers, but if you don't mind some hike-a-bike it is a good
trail for mountain bikes as well.
Trail Directions: Upper Canyon Road, just past the Cerro Gordo trailhead.
Take a right up a steep dirt road. There is a single track that takes off
to the left about 100 feet up the road. After that the trail is well marked,
with maps at every junction.
