Santa Fe Peaks Tour

Dogs Unknown

Features Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

This route is a grand tour of some of the finest hiking Santa Fe has to offer. It features peaks galore, sky-high ridge scrambling, sweeping vistas, serene forests, and crystal-clear alpine lakes.

From the ski basin parking area, follow the Windsor trail northeast for about 4 miles before taking a left onto the Skyline trail. About 1.5 miles after that, you'll reach a saddle with SF Badly looming on your left. Chug your way up to the peak, but be sure to save some gas for the rest of the loop.

After summiting Baldy, follow the ridgeline to Redondo. There isn't a well-defined trail, but it would be hard to get lost since its a straight shot along the ridge (you should hit the peak around mile 9.5). From there, you'll have to find your way down the southeast side of the mountain to Lake Johnson. On some maps there appears to be a trail going from Redondo down to the lake, but (maybe because of the snow) we couldn't find it and ended up bushwhacking/scrambling/glissading down.

Go down the Lake Johnson trail until you hit the Skyline Trail a bit after mile 12. Hang a right on the skyline trail and continue until you hit the Windsor trail. Turn left on to Windsor and continue until you meet back up with the skyline trail a bit after mile 17. Here you turn left and start the final grueling climb up past Penitente Peak to Lake Peak, then mosey on over to Deception Peak before heading down raven's ridge to finish at the parking lot.