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Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.1

KM

Point to Point

10,875' 3,315 m

High

9,661' 2,945 m

Low

1,247' 380 m

Up

53' 16 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Unknown

While listed as a Taos Ski Valley hike, the trailhead is on the other side of the mountain. You need to drive through Red River and at the east side of town stay right. The trailhead road is just as you come to the end of the pavement. Due to the condition of the forest road to the trailhead, many people park at the turnoff and start their hike from the regular road.

Description

The drive into the trailhead is narrow and not improved at all. The lane to lane and a half, many rocks, and overgrown shrubs. I'd almost classify as a jeep road, but we drove it in a Subaru Outback. There is a toilet at the trail start.

The first water crossing is a nice plank bridge. The trail itself is a good six fee wide most of the way, however, it is covered with loose rock for most of the distance. There are water runoff channels that cut from switchback to switchback. Some hikers use the channels to shorten their time. The many switchbacks make for a constant grade, but a reasonable one. If you have done Yerba, Manzanita, or Italianos, you'll have no trouble with this hike.

Shared By:

Hiking Project Staff with improvements by Paul Richard

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 3 votes

#4

in Red River

#12126

Overall
  4.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#4

in Red River

#182

in New Mexico

#12,126

Overall
7 Views Last Month
2,269 Since Jan 25, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Middle Fork Lake in June.
Jul 11, 2017 near Taos Sk…, NM
Second water crossing.  If your boots are waterproof you can mainly walk across without getting water over the tops.
Jul 17, 2021 near Taos Sk…, NM
Typical shot of the trail.  Wide with rocks.
Jul 17, 2021 near Taos Sk…, NM
Trails end. The lake is just beyond the trees.
Jul 17, 2021 near Taos Sk…, NM

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Check-Ins

Jun 6, 2024
Daytona Gregory
Jun 15, 2023
Mark Henze
Sep 24, 2020
Raymond Palmer
6.4mi — 4h 30m
Jun 1, 2020
Private User
Jun 28, 2019
Jeff Rogers
Water across trail near trailhead. Coming down on 6/30/2019 you could step on rocks to cross creek without putting on water shoes at 1 mile mark. 2.5mi — 2h 00m
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