The most beautiful trails in the desert....and the mountains. Campsite inspiration- from backcountry sites to popular state parks and USFS campgrounds...get inspired to spend a night under the stars. Feeling restless? Check out road trip ideas- with iteneraries, maps, and helpful links to get you where you want to go! Pack your backpack for some multi-day backpacking trips, too. Follow Mapquest and Motivator, two hikers from Albuquerque, NM as they weave their way through canyons, over mountains, and to ruins across the American West. Find trail reports, campsite reviews, maps, road trip suggestions, photos, and more. When you're done, check out nature-inspired artwork for sale.
Since moving to the East Mountains, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring my local trails on weekends when we don’t go out of town. The Manzanita Trail System, which caters to mountain bikers, ATVs, and hikers, sprawls out across the small range connecting the Sandia Mountains and the Manzano Mountains. From almost anywhere in the area, Cedro Peak looms overhead with its summit-top radio tower glistening in the New Mexican sun. Today, that was my goal.
Since I began exploring the area in January, Cedro has beckoned from the horizon of every single trail. There is a road that loops to the top, passing by Cedro Group Campground on the way up, but why do it the easy way?
For months, I’ve been eyeballing a few straight-as-an-arrow, ~10 foot wide cleared paths that stretch for miles and miles like spokes out of the peak of the mountain. They’re clearly visible on Google Maps, but I didn’t really know what they were. I parked at the Coyote Trailhead off of 337 and headed down Forest Service Road 462. Before long, I came across the cleared path and turned right.
After traveling a ways down this clearing, I was able to tell that the clearing was intended for access to a power-line of some sort that has long since been removed. Only flat topped stumps of telephone poles remained every so often through the middle of the path.
While from some angles it looks like a clear shot to the peak, there are multiple false summits and a bunch of net elevation gain and loss before reaching the peak.
The trail is mostly very steep, as it was not graded or created for hiking from what I can tell.
The trail does meet up with Delbert’s trail for a small stretch, providing a nice stretch for easy walking. After leaving the Delbert’s trail at a curve, the path appears impossible due to a 15-20 ft. rock cliff visible ahead. Don’t worry, the trail jogs to the left in the trees and there is an easy bypass around it.
At the top, enjoy the views of Tijeras. Continue up to an opening in the fence and join the road up to the radio towers. There are views on all sides!
The route back down is steep, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Just keep an eye out for loose rock and yucca. Long pants are recommended since you are mostly hiking off trail.
Once you meet back up with Forest Road 462, take a left and enjoy a quick jaunt back to the Coyote TH Parking Lot. You can extend your hike a little by jumping on the Chamisoso Trail, which you’ll pass over just before reaching 462.
All said and done, this route to Cedro Peak’s summit is 2.5 mi each way. I enjoyed off trail hiking, big views of the East side of the Sandias, and even a seashell embedded in a rock!
The Manzano Mountains are a glorious, hardly visited mountain range just an hour south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This mountain range tops out at about 10,000 feet and includes multiple summits, lots of seldom-used trails, and a network of forest roads.
We began our journey into the Manzanos at the Ox Canyon (190) trailhead. Our goal? The highest point in the range- Manzano Peak: 10,003 ft in elevation.
The peak is more easily reached from the Kayser Mill Trail, but we had already taken that route and were looking for a bit more of a challenge. Be aware- the trail maps were last printed in the 90s, and distances are a little off. We ended up hiking about 2-3 more miles than planned.
Ox Canyon trail began at a lonely, desolate trailhead that appears it could possibly be used for camping.
There are a lot of down trees in the area. The canyon heads West through an old burn area and eventually enters a canyon full of trees.
You will pass a well signed junction. The trail begins switchbacking up, and as with all trails in the Manzanos, seems much longer than the mileage shows.
Near the crest (maybe 1/2 mile beforehand, your first expansive view comes looking towards the East.
Once you meet up with the Crest Trail, turn South and follow huge rock cairns up the crest towards Manzano Peak. Eventually pass the Kayser Mill junction and keep heading onwards and upwards! There are a couple great view to be had if you hang to the West side of the ridge.
After close to another mile, the view of the summit will finally break out of the trees ahead.
On the way down, you can really take in the little details that are so wonderful about the Manzanos.
All told, it was about a 13 mile day with close to 2,000 ft. elevation gain.
Discover the best outdoors around Albuquerque with this 4 day trip plan. While this trip has its home base in Albuquerque, you could easily adjust for Santa Fe! Click on the links below for more information about each stop!
Itinerary Link: 4 Day ABQ Trip
Spence Hot Springs- enjoy a refreshing dip in a hot spring just a 1/4 mi. hike from the parking area!
McCauley Hot Springs- with a 2 mile hike to this warm spring from either trailhead, you have an exciting adventure ahead of you getting to this gorgeous destination. Bonus- tiny fish live in this spring and love to nibble lightly on your skin!
Gilman Tunnels- this gorgeous drive takes you to two tunnels you may recognize from various Western Films. The small parking turnout allows you to explore the Rio Guadalupe Box Canyon that parallels the Gilman Tunnels.
Jemez Pueblo Red Rock Hike- this incredibly beautiful ~1.5 mile loop hike takes you through some of the most gorgeous red rock in all of New Mexico. Permits are $7 a person and can be picked up in the Jemez Pueblo Museum/Visitor Center. Click the link for more information.
Hyde Memorial State Park Yurt- choose from three gorgeous new yurts in their own area of Hyde Memorial State Park. Pick up the trail in the woods behind the yurts to be led up to a ridge above 9,000 feet complete with several picnic areas!
Lake Peak via Raven’s Ridge- this 7 mile round trip hike gives anyone a taste of alpine hiking complete with 2 or 3 summits above 12,000 feet!
Bluewater Lake State Park- camp between a gorgeous lake perfect for kayaking, and a steep-walled canyon filled with riparian wetlands.
Whether your home base is Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Denver, or even Pueblo, this 5 day road trip takes you to some of the best sites Colorado has to offer. Check out the trip itinerary with travel times, lodging information, and suggestions for daily activities!
Long Weekend Southern New Mexico Road Trip (Perfect for Balloon Fiesta!)
Will you be in the Land of Enchantment for Balloon Fiesta this year? Are you wondering how you can enjoy the excitement of a mass ascension of balloons, while also having an opportunity to see some of the other places and experiences New Mexico has to offer?
This year, I will be taking my guests on a Southern New Mexico road trip! Details, a map, trip planning, and travel times are included, below!
The Jemez Mountains, located centrally between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, offer quite a few wonderful ways to relax- including several Hot Springs, both primitive and developed!
We will be exploring two primitive hot springs that are within an hour’s walk of parking areas.
Spence Hot Springs
Spence Hot Springs is likely the most popular Hot Spring in the Jemez. Located just a short walk off of NM 4, it is easy to access, and therefore, more likely to be occupied.
Parking: The small seven-space parking lot is located at the following coordinates. When coming from Jemez Springs, it will be on your right. From Los Alamos, look for it on your left. It has a one-way only entrance and an one-way only exit. 35.8492655, -106.6320680
Distance/Route: The hike is only about 1/4 mile. Be mindful that the hike has some elevation gain. The trail begins with an immediate downhill on a couple switchbacks. Then, you will hike past the river, crossing a bridge.
The trail turns uphill at this point. Keep hiking until you come across the tiered pools. The trail was wet for the second half when we went in the early morning after a night of rain.
Helpful Info: Go early, or go late if you plan to avoid crowds. We showed up at 7am and were undisturbed until we got ready to leave. On our way back to the car, we ran into two groups coming to the springs.
Bridge You’ll cross:
Leaving from the spring:
The Springs:
McCauley Warm Springs
McCauley Warm Springs is my personal favorite. It is more secluded, very scenic, and even features tiny fish that eat your dead skin! It is a little adjustment to get used to, but it’s exfoliating!
Parking: You can park at Battleship Rock Picnic Area, or the Jemez Falls Parking area. If you park at Battleship Rock, the hike is a little easier with less elevation gain, but the distance to the springs is about 2 miles each way no matter what trailhead you begin with. Both trailheads are relatively popular and may fill up.
Distance/Route: From either Battleship Rock or Jemez Falls, head out on USFS Trail #137. It is a two-mile hike from either trailhead. If leaving from Jemez falls, expect to head downhill almost all the way to the spring, and uphill on your way back. If coming from Battleship Rock, you will have an initial uphill hike followed by relatively flat trail to the falls. You know you’re approaching the falls when you approach the signs on either side reminding you not to camp within 400 ft. of the springs.
Helpful Info: There are about four pools for soaking in the area. They are all warm springs, about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You are able to get all the way in, sit down, and have the water level around your neck. The little fish inside the pools will nibble at you, eating dead skin off of your body. It can tickle a little, dip your toes in first to get used to the feeling! As with Spence Hot Springs, come very early or late to have the best chance of having a soak to yourself. We arrived around 6:45-7am and had it to ourselves for quite awhile. There are plenty of excellent backcountry campsites in the area if you are interested in backpacking in from either trailhead!
It was a frigid November day...the perfect time to go to Mesa Verde. I could bet on likely not running into anyone else, and was excited to see Mesa Verde under this dark, wintry cloud cover.
Though only two miles, the Knife Edge trail at Mesa Verde offers not only a fun historical perspective to the park through interpretation, but wide open views of the Montezuma Valley, my former home.
A two-night backpacking trip in the San Pedro Parks wilderness of the Santa Fe National Forest. Close to Cuba, New Mexico.
What a perfect time of year for a backpacking trip in the San Pedro Parks. We saw two others the whole time, enjoyed elk bugling, and explored gorgeous forest scenery that we had all to ourselves. This was meant to be a relaxing trip, so mileage is therefore very low for each day.
Day One: Hike from San Gregorio trailhead slightly past San Gregorio Lake and make camp. You’ll be sharing the area with grazing cattle.
Day Two: Hike three miles ahead on the CDT, make camp near river on the left side of the trail.
Day Three: Hike back out to San Gregorio trailhead.
