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 The Winsor National Recreational trail is 22.8 miles long. It begins at end of County Road 72A in Tesuque-d-6 and ends at Winsor Creek Campground. Within the Espanola District, the trail is divided into two sections. The lower elevation trail from the Tesuque Trail Head to Aspen Basin is outside of the Pecos Wilderness. The next section from Aspen Basin to Spirit Lake is within the Pecos Wilderness. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, (only the lower trail outside of the Wilderness) and Horseback Riding. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Note This is a more difficult hike. It would be unwise to attempt this without prior experience hiking. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Winsor National Recreational Trail #254
This was the first stop on my five day New Mexico excursion. I completed an overnight backpack to Katherine Lakes and hit the summit of Santa Fe Baldy on the way out in the Pecos Wilderness.
The hike into Katherine was definitely a green tunnel, but there was a nice section of aspen and some other pretty scenic sections of forest that helped with the lack of views. The views start as you climb to the saddle marking the intersection with the Santa Fe Baldy trail and the trail down to Katherine Lake. The saddle is really an excellent spot to take in your surroundings and appreciate for the first time the beauty of the range you are hiking in. From the saddle, it was down to Katherine. This is a very popular backpacking destination and I knew I would have company and I was right. I think there ended up being about 4-5 groups on the lake that night, but it was by no means crowded. The lake was really an amazing destination, but I could not imagine staying here on a busier weekend.
I got an early start for the hike out because I wanted to bag Santa Fe and hopefully not bump into too many people on the way out. The early start enabled me to catch a pretty amazing sunrise, maybe on of better ones I have had in the back country in recent memory. Baldy was a fun peak and the dogs had a blast, marmots everywhere. The views from the peak were superb and the trail up well worn and straightforward. Katherine Lake may be more scenic from above the treeline in my opinion. The hike out got way to crowded for my liking, which was expected on the Saturday of Memorial weekend. I was very happy to have got some quality time in that area before the hoards arrived. I probably passed 25-30 backpackers and the same amount of day hikers on the way out. But the crowds did not diminish the trip for me in anyway and I still left feeling elated about the area with a big itch to get back to the more scenic and less crowded areas of the wilderness. A perfect intro to the wilderness and a perfect backpacking option for my old pups.
The hike into Katherine was definitely a green tunnel, but there was a nice section of aspen and some other pretty scenic sections of forest that helped with the lack of views. The views start as you climb to the saddle marking the intersection with the Santa Fe Baldy trail and the trail down to Katherine Lake. The saddle is really an excellent spot to take in your surroundings and appreciate for the first time the beauty of the range you are hiking in. From the saddle, it was down to Katherine. This is a very popular backpacking destination and I knew I would have company and I was right. I think there ended up being about 4-5 groups on the lake that night, but it was by no means crowded. The lake was really an amazing destination, but I could not imagine staying here on a busier weekend.
I got an early start for the hike out because I wanted to bag Santa Fe and hopefully not bump into too many people on the way out. The early start enabled me to catch a pretty amazing sunrise, maybe on of better ones I have had in the back country in recent memory. Baldy was a fun peak and the dogs had a blast, marmots everywhere. The views from the peak were superb and the trail up well worn and straightforward. Katherine Lake may be more scenic from above the treeline in my opinion. The hike out got way to crowded for my liking, which was expected on the Saturday of Memorial weekend. I was very happy to have got some quality time in that area before the hoards arrived. I probably passed 25-30 backpackers and the same amount of day hikers on the way out. But the crowds did not diminish the trip for me in anyway and I still left feeling elated about the area with a big itch to get back to the more scenic and less crowded areas of the wilderness. A perfect intro to the wilderness and a perfect backpacking option for my old pups.
2018-05-25 friendofThundergod
Winsor National Recreational Trail #254
On our way back from visiting family in Albuquerque, we drove up to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and entered the Pecos Wilderness on the Winsor Trail. Nambe Lake is beautiful and the water is fine for a swim! It's not a true alpine lake since it's not fed by glaciers, but it is a nice high altitude mountain lake. Rio Nambe follows the trail down from the lake.
Did this hike with my parents and I'm thankful they're up for hiking with me! Even if I had to slow down my pace... ;)
Did this hike with my parents and I'm thankful they're up for hiking with me! Even if I had to slow down my pace... ;)
2017-09-04 arizona_water
