Latir Peak Wilderness Area Trails • Hike • New Mexico • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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May 14 2022

AugustWest

Routes 174
Photos 471
Triplogs 184

51 male

Joined Mar 16 2019
Phoenix

Lake Fork Trail #82

North Central, NM

Lake Fork Trail #82

North Central, NM

Hiking		May 14 2022
		AugustWest • Triplogs 184

Hiking	10.90 Miles	2,569 AEG

Hiking	10.90 Miles	5 Hrs 31 Mns	2.61 mph
	2,569 ft AEG	1 Hour 20 Mns Break

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Latir Peak Wilderness Area Trails

Heart Lake and Latir Mesa

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Too early in the season to make it to the alpine peaks in the Latir Peak Wilderness, but this hike was worth every minute.

The trailhead for the hike starts at Cabresto Lake. The last 2 miles on 134A are high-clearance recommended and this would be 4x4 in the mud season. Cabresto Lake would be a great place to camp.

Lake Fork Trail skirts Cabresto Lake for about 1/2 a mile. After that the trail hugs the creek for the next 1-1/2 miles. At approximately 2 miles Bull Creek Trail takes off to the left. Bull Creek makes up the second half of a lollipop loop that incorporates Latir Mesa and short jaunts to Latir Peak and a longer connection to Pinabete Peak.

I continued on Lake Fork Trail another 2-1/2 miles to Heart Lake. The entire route is in a canyon dominated by fir trees with some patches of Aspen mixed in. There was one patch of deadfall along the way that required some serious rerouting.

At about 11,000' the patches of snow which had been an afterthought up until then started to get serious. The biggest issue for me was not having a GPS route downloaded to my phone. A couple of snow areas with deadfall had me turned around.

At .2 miles from Heart Lake a trail takes off to the right and heads to Baldy Cabin and ultimately Baldy Mountain. I continued left to Heart Lake and once at the Lake tried to travel the left (South) side of the lake which had too much snow to go anywhere. This is also where the trail continues to Latir Mesa and to Bull Creek Trail allowing for the completion of the loop.

I went around the other side of the lake which had much less snow and had lunch at the far end of the lake which was a large, wet meadow with amazing views of the peaks.

I thought about my options over lunch. I couldn't see the switchbacks that head up the steepest side of the mountain as the trail heads up Latir Mesa as the trail was almost definitely covered in snow. Baldy seemed like another option and faces south, but when I tried the two trails that make up the mini-loop that pass by Baldy Cabin on the way to Baldy Mountain, there was 2'-3' drifts which was too much snow on both of these paths for me.

This was a light snow year for the Sangre de Cristo, but the lesson for me is that early to mid-June is the bare minimum to reach the high peaks of this mountain range.

There is so much to see here and the beauty at least equals my explorations of the Wenimuche Wilderness in Colorado and the hikes I have done around Telluride. Probably the best part of this area relative to what I have done in Colorado is the lighter use of this pristine area.

I saw 2 backpackers about a mile from the trailhead that had just scared a bear off. They also tried and couldn't make it any higher up than Heart Lake, where they ultimately camped for the night. Otherwise I had the wilderness all to myself. Based on the footprints in the snow, the backpackers were probably the first people in the wilderness for the season.

If you can get away from the fact that there are no 14'ers here, this is a prime wilderness playground. I am already planning a trip back in August

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Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again

Jul 08 2013

RedRoxx44

Guides 5
Photos 26,458
Triplogs 807

female

Joined Feb 15 2003
outside, anywher

Latir Peak Wilderness Area Trails

North Central, NM

Latir Peak Wilderness Area Trails

North Central, NM

Backpack		Jul 08 2013
		RedRoxx44 • Triplogs 807

Backpack	19.00 Miles

Backpack	19.00 Miles	2 Days 3 Hrs

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I bought the wilderness map for this area a long time ago. I have a sizable map collection, and don't remember now why I got this map. Anyway, decided I would go here with the long weekend. Also good warmup trip for the high country trip coming up to the Winds or Uintahs'.
I have New Mexico TOPO so printed up some maps and did the long drive. The small wilderness supposedly has light use and has 3 of New Mexico's over 12K peaks in a close area. Also borders a Spanish Land Grant, Rio Costilla Cattle and Landowners Association, access can be had by getting a permit.
I car camped at Cabresto Lake, just outside of the wilderness area, and popular with fishermen.
I got an early start and was immediately pleased by the Lake Fork trail, good grade and along a wonderful stream with lush greenery and lots of little cascades, in a towering healthy forest.
I hadn't obtained a lot of pre-information or photos on the web so didn't have much expectation.
By the time I got to Heart Lake it seemed I was going to have some trouble with the elevation, which sometimes happens despite my best efforts ( hydration, ginko and or ginseng, etc). I set up my tent at the lovely small lake at 11,600 feet; took a nap, then wandered down a trail to Baldy cabin and to Baldy mtn and beyond. Storms started up so back at my tent I read as it rained. I was under a huge spruce type tree and the only drops I got on the tent were just drips from the huge branches on the tree.
After a poor night I still decided to go up on Latir Mesa, see how I felt and try to do my loop and see some of the peaks. A small dirty snow bank across the trail on the way up.
The top of the mesa is really great. It was very windy and hazy but I felt like I was on top of the world in this big open area. It's the alpine tundra, with it's tiny flowers and moss in odd areas. Due to snow and terrain the trail fades here but big cairns have been erected to help you find your way. It's kinda easy here as it is so open and not a huge area.
I looked down at the Latir Lakes on the Spanish Land Grant, there are no signs here but all the information and the maps clearly mark the private land.
I saw elk grazing far below, some sheep and like 20 marmots. The trail off the mesa was sort of exciting as it was rocky and narrow in spots on the sides of the peaks. The peaks are rounded and walk ups, no formal trail. I went up on an unnamed peak at 12,550 to get some views. Dropped my pack in the valley and trudged up Vernado at 12,734. The wind was really bad so I didn't stay long. I was too wimpy to go out of the way to try and get up Cabresto Peak so I turned and went down Bull Canyon, after going up the ridgeline past Cabresto on trail 88 for a ways.
Wow, the upper Bull Canyon trail is really steep. Nice forest though and for camping and just wandering around I liked this canyon very much. Since I was still not feeling good stopped early at the little lake in the upper canyon and set up camp. There had been other people at Heart Lake but I had this place to myself, and it showed no signs of much use.
Thunderstorms started up, keeping me in the tent a short while, then I was able to just wander around a bit.
The next morning out was just magical with meadows of flowers and the wonderful photogenic creek to distract you from the soft pine duff tread. Driving home I decided to take the scenic route deviating at Socorro to Reserve the down thru Mule Creek and a visit to Brian and Globe before I went home. Some great thunderstorms to drive thru, and a very pretty area around Aragon New Mexico. It was sad to see some of the burn on the mountains of the Gila. All in all a good trip and glad I had the time and made the drive.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Marmot (Yellow-Bellied)

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Wooden Dwelling

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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.

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