Hiking Project Logo

A massive hike over a big mountain on fabulous singletrack trails.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

18.8

Miles

30.2

KM

Out and Back

12,491' 3,807 m

High

10,306' 3,141 m

Low

4,344' 1,324 m

Up

4,343' 1,324 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Wilderness area.

Overview

This route follows the popular Winsor National Recreation Trail to Puerto Nambe and up the Skyline Trail to the top of Santa Fe Baldy. Then, from there, follow the ridgeline north to the prominent rocky mountain a few more miles further. Once you're there, turn around and back to the parking lot.

Need to Know

There are a few stream crossings and a lake below the summit of Baldy to get water if you need it. Treat whatever you drink.

Description

Follow the well used Winsor National Recreation Trail north from the parking lot. The trail climbs steeply for the first 1/4 of a mile to the Wilderness boundary. Pass through the gate and continue into the darker spruce forest on a slight downgrade. The trail tread is hard-packed dirt with many rocks. This trail will cross several streams that you must treat if you wish to drink the water. About 4 miles in, you'll cross a stream skipping from boulder to boulder, after this you start to climb up to Windy Pass and the intersection with the Skyline Trail.

A little over 6 miles from the start you'll find yourself at a high mountain pass/saddle (Windy Pass) with the big mountain looming to your left (north). Follow the steep and rocky Santa Fe Baldy to Redondo Peak Ridgeline trail to the top. From the top look at the lake down below off to the right or east.

As you gaze north, spot the exposed outcrop that is Redondo Peak about 3 miles north along the obvious ridge. Hike there following the ridgeline. There are fragments of a trail, but it is fairly easy to follow the ridge top. Once you get to the top of Redondo turn around and head back the way you came, or just before the summit of Baldy veer east and head down to Lake Kathrine. From here you can pick up the Winsor National Recreation Trail again and follow it back up to Puerto Nambe (Windy Pass) and then back on the Winsor National Recreation Trail to the start.

Flora & Fauna

I've seen marmots, falcons, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and lots of birds.

Contacts

Shared By:

Peter Olson

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 5 votes

#2

in Ski Santa Fe

#975

Overall
  5.0 from 5 votes
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Ski Santa Fe

#10

in New Mexico

#975

Overall
16 Views Last Month
4,760 Since Mar 30, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

Santa Fe Baldy
Mar 5, 2021 near Nambe, NM
Heading north from Baldy
Mar 30, 2015 near Nambe, NM
Scanning the route to the pointy Truchas peaks in the distance.
Jul 6, 2015 near Nambe, NM
Zooming through the falling raindrops and leaves.
Oct 5, 2015 near Nambe, NM
Follow the yellow brick road.
Oct 5, 2015 near Santa Fe, NM
Switchbacks leading down to Lake Katherine; Santa Fe Baldy is ahead
Jun 11, 2019 near Nambe, NM

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.