Alamos Vista – New Mexico’s Rocky Mountains

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the “southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains”, offer a variety of hiking options – easier treks that start in the foothills, beautiful trails along creeks, or more adventurous hikes that begin at elevations of 9,000 to 10,000 feet.

The Alamos Vista/Aspen Vista hike is a 4 mile round trip trek through a magical grove of aspen trees to a summit at approximately 11,000 feet with 360 degree views of the surrounding peaks. It is a moderately challenging excursion as you will be hiking at an altitude of 10,000 to 11,000 feet, and the trail to the top is steep in certain sections. The views, however, are breathtaking and we highly recommend this hike in the summer months through the fall.

Plaza Blanca – A Place of Enchantment

Plaza Blanca, known also as the White Place, is a magical area located near Abiquiu, NM. The limestone rock formations, that rise to 500 feet in certain locations, often reveal faces of animals, church spires or medieval fortresses. Use your imagination and you’ll be whisked away to a place of true enchantment. Wonder through the canyons and walk with care up to the ridge tops. One could spend hours exploring Plaza Blanca! Our 4 hour excursion takes you on a short guided hike (2 to 3 miles), allowing you to soak in the beauty of the White Place and, most likely, yearning to return.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument – Spectacular Rock Formations

Kasha-Katuwe, which means “White Cliffs” in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo, is a geological marvel to behold. Called “Tent Rocks” because of the tent- or tepee-like shapes, the formations at this National Monument were created 6.8 million years ago by volcanic eruptions in the nearby Jemez Mountains. The tent rocks are made of pumice, ash and tuff – soft volcanic materials – and were once part of the white cliffs that eroded downwards leaving tall cones, up to 90 feet tall. Some of the teepee-like structures have caprocks perched on top of them; an amazing balancing act on the part of Mother Nature.

Chimney Rock at Ghost Ranch – O’Keeffe Country

Located on Ghost Ranch property, Chimney Rock is an easy to moderate hike, about 3 miles round trip. The elevation gain is approximately 600 feet and the trail is well marked and easy to follow. The rock formation at the end of the hike is unique; it does indeed resemble a chimney. The views from the top are stunning with Cerro Pedernal and Abiquiu Dam to the north. And, as a bonus, you can see Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch home from your lofty perch!

Red Dot Trail and Newspaper Rock – Rio Grande River Views, Petroglyphs and a Waterfall

The Red Dot trail is one of two scenic hiking trails that start at the rim of the White Rock canyon and drops down approximately 800 feet to the Rio Grande River. Enjoy the climb down, with views of the Rio Grande, and stop to admire several petroglyphs along the way. Once at the bottom, hikers will be pleasantly surprised to find an absolutely delightful waterfall and small pool. It’s a wonderful place to stop, soak in the peaceful beauty of the place, eat lunch, read a book, or meditate, before making the uphill climb back to White Rock. Time permitting, take a side trip to Newspaper Rock and view beautiful petroglyphs.

This trail is best hiked in the fall through the spring seasons or very early in the morning in the summer months.

Window Rock – Unique Basalt Formations

An off the beaten path adventure, the Window Rock hike takes you through sandy arroyos (dry washes) and slot canyons, alongside fantastic rock formations up to “one of New Mexico’s largest rock spans”. The Window, described in the book “100 Hikes in New Mexico” as “an opening in the thin ridge of hardened lava”, can be seen from a distance and becomes more and more imposing as you near it.

Roundtrip, this is a 7.5 mile hike with about 1,000 feet gain in elevation in an area that is fairly remote. If you’d like to experience the rugged beauty and serenity of New Mexico, Window Rock is a fabulous hike.

We offer this hike late fall through the early spring; hiking in the Badlands in the summer months is not recommended.

Kitchen Mesa – Spectacular O’Keeffe Country Hike

Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, was home to Georgia O’Keeffe for many years. The renowned artist maintained a house on the premises and loved to walk the land.

The Kitchen Mesa hike is approximately 4.5 miles, with an elevation gain of 600 feet. Portions of the trail are steep and a short climb up a narrow passage to the mesa top is required. If you’re not fearful of heights, take the trip to Kitchen Mesa as the views of the Cerro Pedernal and the surrounding red rocks are spectacular. The mesa top itself is unreal – white gypsum that sparkles – and you might almost believe you had landed on another planet.

Cerro Pedernal – Georgia O’Keeffe’s Mountain

Cerro Pedernal is a magical mountain that Georgia O’Keeffe called her own and captured in many of her paintings. She even said of the Pedernal, “God told me if I painted it often enough I could have it.” Located in the Jemez Mountain range and rising 9,862 feet above sea level, Cerro Pedernal is a major landmark in north-central New Mexico and can be seen from miles around. Santa Fe Walkabouts will hike and guide clients to the northwest base of the Pedernal. Most of the approximately 7 mile round trip hike is on an unmarked jeep trail. As you trek in, you will gradually gain a total of 1000 feet in elevation, passing through forests of Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Pinon pine and Gambel oak. Our stopping point, at 9200 feet, is a beautiful meadow with views of Abiquiu Lake and the basalt cliffs of the Cerro Pedernal.

Pecos Wilderness – Full Day Adventures

The Pecos Wilderness, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offers a number of breathtaking hikes – meadows covered in the summer months with wild flowers and remote mountain lakes. Santa Fe Walkabouts has permits to some of these wonderful destinations, all full day adventures. The hikes vary in length from 8 to 13 miles round trip, with elevation gains between 1,000 to 3,000 feet. Nature is at her best in the Pecos Wilderness – it’s a wonderful place to hike, enjoy the alpine vistas, possibly view wildlife, and get away from the beaten path.