|
|
 |
 |
Recreational Activities
Home : Ranger
Districts : Española Ranger District
: Trails
Trail 163, Rio En Medio Trail
 
Length: 7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Use: Moderate
Seasons: Spring, summer and fall
Highest and Lowest Points: 7,200 feet to 10,300 feet
Trail Access: This trail is accessible by passenger vehicle at
either the western terminus near the village of En Medio, the eastern
terminus at Aspen Basin Trailhead #10 adjacent to the Santa Fe Ski
Area, or near the middle of the trail at the Aspen Ranch Trailhead
9. However, parking at En Medio is very limited. Parking is plentiful
at the Ski Area, at the end of the Hyde Park Road (State Route 475),
and also at the Aspen Ranch Trailhead, which is reached by taking
Forest Road 102 (Pacheco Canyon Road) to Forest Road 412, and following
FR 412 to the trailhead just before a locked gate on the road.
To find Trail 163 from the Aspen Basin Trailhead 10 at the Santa
Fe Ski Area, cross the small bridge to the north bank of the Rio
en Medio from the trailhead at the lower end of the parking lot
and turn left, following the Rio en Medio downstream. To find Trail
163 from the village of En Medio, take NM 590 until it turns into
County Road 78-B which will end at a very small parking area with
a Forest Service trailhead information sign.
USGS Maps: Aspen Basin and Pecos Wilderness Map (2003 edition)
Description:
Leaving the parking area, you walk up the canyon on the dirt
road, and watch for the trail to leave the road to your right.
In a quarter mile the trail descends to the canyon floor and
makes the first of numerous stream crossings. Soon the trail
enters a mixed conifer forest. You may find parallel trails
on both sides of the river in some places, but as long as
they continue upstream, they will all eventually come together
again.
After about 2 miles, there is a short detour to your left
that brings you to the bottom of a decent waterfall. Staying
on the main trail brings you to the top of this waterfall
after a short steep climb, and you continue ascending up the
canyon passing several cascades, shallow pools, and soon you
will reach the end of Forest Road 412 and the Aspen Ranch
Trailhead 9. The Rio en Medio Trail continues behind the trailhead
information sign and crosses an acequia, then follows the
stream all the way up to the Aspen Basin Trailhead 10 near
the ski area. |
Notes:
 The
beginning of the trail crosses private property- please respect
private lands, and stay on the established trail.
Be
careful not to block the road if the parking lot is full-
you may get towed. |
|
|
|
