Description:
Following Trail 251 north from the road, you will climb
along a high ridge through mixed conifer forest with the closed
Santa Fe Watershed to your east. Enter the Pecos Wilderness,
and you will soon emerge above treeline, into a low scrubby
alpine tundra environment. Follow the rock cairns uphill,
being careful to stay on the well established route; alpine
tundra can be very susceptible to damage from excessive foot
traffic. After a short climb you will arrive at the summit
of Deception Peak, with Nambe Lake directly below you to the
north. Just across a small gap to the northeast is the summit
of Lake Peak. A steep scramble to the east is neccesary here
to get from Deception Peak to the faint trail along the shoulder
of Lake Peak, and to continue along the narrow rocky ridge
that separates Lake Peak and Penitente Peak. Travel here with
stock such horses or llamas is not possible. You will again
pick up the trail on this ridge, with a drop to a saddle between
the peaks and another climb to the wide grassy top of Penitente
Peak. The area south of this ridge is the Santa Fe
Watershed providing water to the City of Santa Fe. This entire
drainage area is closed to all entry and recreational use.
From Penitente Peak, follow the trail down the gentle northeast
ridge by following the rock cairns, and watch for the spot
where the trail again enters the timber. After a descent with
several switchbacks you will find a junction with the Winsor
Trail 254. Turn left here and follow the combined Skyline
and Winsor Trails to the grassy meadows of Puerto Nambe. Look
for the post and sign marking the junction, where the Skyline
Trail again parts company with the Winsor, and turns to the
north, climbing steeply up the shoulders of Santa Fe Baldy.
After several switchbacks you will arrive at a high saddle
below the summit of Santa Fe Baldy. From here one can follow
the ridge to the west, where there is a well worn route to
access the peak, or continue along the Skyline Trail to Lake
Katherine, which sits in a high glacial cirque.
The trail down the north side of this saddle is normally snowpacked
until the end of June and often into July, even when the rest
of the trail is clear. This section has some very steep switchbacks,
and travel with stock is not recommended. Continue on the
Skyline Trail to Lake Katherine.
|
Trail
251, the Skyline Trail, is the longest trail in the Pecos
Wilderness, traversing approximately 50 miles of ridges and
high passes all the way around the Pecos drainage basin. 