Description:
The Capulin Trail follows the Rio Capulin from its confluence
with the Rio Nambe and Trail 160 at the trail’s western
terminus, up past the Rio Capulin’s headwaters and then
crosses a saddle and drops down into the upper Rio Frijoles,
leaving the Frijoles at another saddle and then down to the
Rio Medio and meets with Trail 155.
Starting from Rio Nambe, the trail follows the southern side
of the Rio Capulin for about a mile before it reaches the
grassy meadows of Rancho Viejo. This is privately owned ranching
land. Leaving the private land, the trail crosses the river
and continues up the northern bank of the Rio Capulin. After
another two miles, a post is seen marking the intersection
of 162 to the south, which follows the main branch of the
Rio Capulin to it’s headwaters coming off of Santa Fe
Baldy. Continue up Trail 158 to some switchbacks and the gradual
ascent to the ridge and saddle separating the Capulin and
Frijoles drainages. At the top of this ridge is the junction
of seldom-used Trail 231.
From here Trail 158 drops to the Rio Frijoles in a short half-mile.
The Rio Frijoles must be forded at this point, and the river
can be rather wide here.
The Rio Frijoles is crossed several times again within the
next three miles. Soon you will pass a junction with Trail
6 to the north, which leads to Sierra Mosca. Open grassy
meadows are featured through this section. Passing the junction
with Trail 243 to the south,
you soon come upon the Panchuela West cabin, a Forest Service
administrative site. Shortly after the cabin, the trail begins
to climb out of the canyon to the high point of this trail
on the ridge at 10,600 feet in elevation. Continue past the
junction with Trail 156 to the north, and from here the trail
begins the long gradual descent to the Rio Medio.
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Major
damage to Trail 158 has resulted from the Capulin Fire of
2003. As of summer 2003, portions of the trail between Rancho
Viejo and the junction with Trail 162 may be impassable for
those with stock. This area is scheduled for major trail reconstruction
in the summer of 2004. 