Carson National Forest
Carson National Forest (575) 758-6200 | |
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Amole Canyon
Location: Camino Ranger District
Trail Beginning: 8,150 feet (2485m)
Junction of State Highway 518 and Amole Canyon Road. Forest Road 703
Trail Ending: 8,150 feet (2485m)
Junction of State Highway 518 and Amole Canyon Road. Forest Road 703
In the summer months trail can be used for hiking, and mountain biking. Trail is used in the winter for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Access:
From Taos, follow State Highway 518 approximately 15 miles south of the
junction of State Highway 68 and 518, approximately 2 miles past the U.S.
Hill Vista (on the left). Parking is available on the left side (east)
of the highway (Forest Road 703 entrance).
From the Camino Real Ranger Station take State Highway 75 north through Vadito for 5 miles to the junction of Sate Highway 518 and proceed 1.5 miles to the Amole Canyon Road, Forest Road 703. Parking lot on the right side of the highway.
Attractions and Considerations:
Amole Canyon has been a favorite cross-country skiing area for many years.
Winter: Snowshoe & Crosscountry skiing:
Trails 1, 2, and 3 are excellent beginner trails with gentle slopes and
open ponderosa pine stands and meadows. There is only a 300 foot elevation
gradient from start to finish. Trails 1 and 2 are groomed and tracked
periodically. Trail 4, 5, and 6 are intermediate trails with slightly
steeper slopes and longer distances.
Trail 7 has a more gentle nature although it is approximately one mile
longer. It is rated as more difficult. Near the head of Amole Canyon there
are apporximately 200 yards of 20% grade. Recommended direction of travel
for both the Upper and Lower Loops is up Amole Canyon. There are signs
at intersections and blue diamonds designate the courses. For the adventurous,
there are many unmarked logging roads in the area. Please don't travel
alone. There is no patrol.
Trail 8 is rated as most difficult due to the 1/4 mile of 20% grade.
This portion is narrow and not recommended unless one has mastered steep,
narrow courses.
Length: Approximate
| Trail 1 - 2.8 miles | Trail 5 - 2 miles |
| Trail 2 - 2.3 miles | Trail 6 - 3.7 miles |
| Trail 3 - 1 mile | Trail 7 - 6.3 miles |
| Trail 4 - 1.7 mile | Trail 8 - 5.5 miles |
Use: Moderate to Heavy.
- Please keep dogs off GROOMED trails
- No snowmobiles
- Snowshoers please do not walk on tracks
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall for hiking and horseback,
and winter and early spring for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Difficulty: Beginner to Expert (because of the grades
and road surface).
USGS QUADS: Tres Ritos
Map of Amole Cross Country Ski Trails (pdf file 852 kb)
USDA Forest Service - Carson National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 28 April 2008 at 10:58:06 EDT