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Recreational Activities
Home : Ranger
Districts : Española Ranger District
: Trails
Trail 287, Quemazon Trail
 
Length: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Use: Heavy
Seasons: Spring, summer, and fall
Highest and Lowest Points: 7,400 feet to 8,800 feet
Trail Access: The Quemazon trailhead is adjacent to two water
tanks off of 48th Street in Los Alamos. Follow Trinity Drive west,
crossing Diamond Drive to 48th Street. Turn left onto Sandia Drive
and then immediately turn left again. A sign on the right side of
the road marks the trailhead and the parking area.
USGS Maps: Guaje Mountain
Description:
In order to reach the trail, walk up the service road and
bear left through a green gate, passing the old Quemazon Nature
Trail to the south. This was once a short loop trail with
identified interpretive sites and signs, but was heavily damaged
from the Cerro Grande Fire of 2000 (see below), and not much
remains. Continue on the Quemazon Trail, which is a historic
old road that once was a wagon road accessing what is now
the Valle Caldera National Preserve. A bit less than a mile
from the parking area is a short spur to the south; this side
trail leads to the edge of the Los Alamos Canyon and a site
called Cave of the Winds.
The Quemazon Trail continues to the northeast along the canyon
edge, and many old wagon ruts can still be seen worn into
the soft volcanic tuff. The trail will pass a junction, now
difficult to see, with the old Knapp Trail which once was
a steep and difficult route back down into Los Alamos Canyon;
this trail is now nearly obliterated by the fire. Eventually
the Quemazon Trail will intersect with the Pipeline Road,
a rough four wheel drive road that is now closed to motorized
use. This road connects the town to the Valles Caldera National
Preserve, and several different loop routes are possible.
The Quemazon Trail remains a very popular biking and hiking
trail.
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Notes:
 This
trail, like many in the Los Alamos area, is at least partially
within the area burned by the Cerro Grande Fire of 2000. The
trail has suffered severe damage in some places, and trail
rehabilitation efforts have failed to fully restore the trail
to pre-fire conditions.
Visitors
should be aware of dangers and hazards in the burned area.
In particular, recreation in the burned area should be avoided
during windy days and during rainstorms due to the danger
of flash floods and falling trees. |
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