Santa Fe
National Forest
1474 Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Phone:(505) 438-7840
Fax:(505) 438-7834

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Description:

The Skyline Trail is the longest trail in the Pecos Wilderness with approximately 50 miles of ridges and passes all the way around the Pecos River basin. From Santa Fe follow the signs to Hyde Park and the Ski Area. This trail can be picked up at its actual starting point at the top of Tesuque Peak by following Forest Road 150 from Aspen Vista to the top of Tesuque Peak and then picking up the trail along the ridge to Lake Peak. The trail from Forest Road 150 is closed to horses, llamas, and other stock. The long winding dirt road to the top of Tesuque Peak is closed to motor vehicles.

Alternatively, an easier access to the Skyline Trail is to start from the ski area and follow the chair lift to the top of the ridge. Backpackers and horses can take Winsor Trail 254 from the ski area to Puerto Nambe where the Skyline trail connects.

From Forest Road 150, the Skyline Trail can be picked up by following the top of the ridge to the north. From there, it is a 500 foot hike to the top of Lake Peak. This section is narrow, rocky, and hard to follow for the last half mile. The trail continues along the ridge to Penitente Peak then to the southern junction with Winsor Trail 254. Go west on the Winsor Trail to Puerto Nambe and the continuation of the Skyline Trail.

The trail goes north up Santa Fe Baldy ridge and then switchbacks down the north side of the ridge to the lake. This section of trail is normally snow-covered until late June and can be treacherous in late spring and early summer.

The Skyline Trail continues along the drainage at the far northeast corner of the lake basin, switchbacks rapidly down to Winsor Creek, and follows the creek for one mile to another junction with the Winsor Trail. The Skyline Trail continues north on a moderate grade past Stewart Lake, passing junctions with the Winsor Ridge Trail 271 to the east and later the Johnson Trail 267 to the west. After the junction with Cave Creek Trail 288, there is a steep eroded climb to the north and then a steep drop into Horsethief Meadow.

See Skyline Trail-Part 1, Skyline Trail-Part 2, Skyline Trail-Part 3, Skyline Trail-Part 4, Skyline Trail-Part 5

Notes:

This trail is in the Pecos Wilderness. Motorized equipment and mechanized transportation, including mountain bikes, hunter carts, and chainsaws are prohibited.

Please use existing campsites.

Careful planning is required to avoid exposed ridges and high passes during bad weather and lightning storms. Be prepared for cold and stormy weather and limited visibility at any time of the year.