Los Alamos and the Jemez Mountains in North Central New Mexico offer a wealth of recreational and cultural activities. There are everything from rugged trips that should only be attempted by the experienced, to easy hikes and car trips that are appropriate for everyone. This region includes the Jemez National Recreation Area, parts of the Santa Fe National Forest, Bandelier National Monument, the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Dome Wilderness, San Pedro Parks Wilderness, and the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway.
Everytrail Guides Available
Los Alamos Historic Walking Tour Guide
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/los-alamos-historical-walking-tour
Scenic Overlooks of the Los Alamos Area driving tour
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/scenic-overlooks-in-the-los-alamos-area
Los Alamos Historic Walking Tour Guide
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/los-alamos-historical-walking-tour
Scenic Overlooks of the Los Alamos Area driving tour
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/scenic-overlooks-in-the-los-alamos-area
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Los Alamos Historical Walking Tour
Walk through hundreds of centuries of history on this short, easy hike in downtown Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Walk through hundreds of centuries of history on this short, easy hike in downtown Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Easy
1.4 mi/
2.3 km
2.3 km
Scenic Overlooks in the Los Alamos Area
Spectacular scenery during all seasons ... and great photo points
Spectacular scenery during all seasons ... and great photo points
Easy
67 mi/
107 km
107 km
Cañada Bonita Backcountry Ski Trip
A great, short ski tour that triples in summer as a hiking and mountain biking destination
A great, short ski tour that triples in summer as a hiking and mountain biking destination
Moderate
2.7 mi/
4.3 km
4.3 km
Guides
Walk through hundreds of centuries of history on this short, easy hike in downtown Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Spectacular scenery during all seasons ... and great photo points
Adventures by road and trail
A great, short ski tour that triples in summer as a hiking and mountain biking destination
Community Trips
This trip starts at the NM4 turn off from US550 in San Ysidro, continues on NM4 to NM485/FR376. Past the tunnels in the Guadalupe Box, it crosses the river, then up the mesa. We followed the edge of the mesa on FR608 where there are several good overlooks. We kept following FR608 to FR604 which rejoins FR376 to NM126.
This trip starts at NM485 off of NM4. Turning onto FR652. The first few miles are kinda rocky and rutted, but by the time you get to FR534, the road is more maintained. Keep following FR534 to FR20.We took a side trip up Redtop Peak, which used to be a Forest Service lookout, but now the only standing structure is an old out house.Coming down we picked up FR20 and continued on...
This is a nice trip in the Santa Fe National forest. It's not a difficult drive, but it takes you to the Cerro Pelado Lookout which provides great panoramic views of the area.The included route starts at the NM290 turn-off on NM4, continues to FR10 to FR270 to the lookout. It then continues on FR10 to NM4.
I try to make a loop hike to Caballo Peak. The descent route I choose has been ravaged by the 2000 Cerro Grande fire, and is very rough going. Otherwise, the hike tours through some very nice terrain, especially with the lingering Aspen colors.
Ann and I squeeze this hike in between storms on a day when floods and hail damage occurred in the valley below.
We start on Saturday morning to backpack about 9 miles into Capulin Canyon, where we encounter a rattlesnake and a small bear. Sunday we take the more westerly trails out again.
We spent an enjoyable afternoon here at Tent Rocks, there are many picnic tables near the parking area and after our hike we sat and had refreshments and cooled off, it was a very warm day. There are 2 trails, the one we chose was the easy trail, 1.4 mile loop with about 250 ft ascent, very little shade at 1PM. The scenery was interesting, I wish we had time to walk...
A great day trip we made from Santa Fe, through the windy roads outside of Los Alamos and down through Jemez Springs and then Ponderosa, New Mexico.Although we took a wrong turn (at the first marker), it was still beautiful.
Reviews
