Having spent two summers in Los Alamos, NM, I had the opportunity to explore the wilderness around here. This belt is rich geographically, and an outdoor person shall find a rich variety of activities. I shall start of with references of three excellent books, which I found immensely useful. I am also posting the images of the covers. The first one is an immensely valuable book, including topographic maps and detailed descriptions of the hikes. The latter describes the trails in the vicinity of Santa Fe in greater detail. The last is for the local hikes in Los Alamos and White Rock. All the three are easily available at the Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos.
Guide to the Hiking Areas of New Mexico, by Mike Hill, published by the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Day Hikes in the Santa Fe Area by the Santa Fe Group of the Sierra club
Los Alamos Outdoors, by Dorothy Hoard
Over here I include brief descriptions of the trails that I hiked, and some pictures:
Nambe Lake Trail in Santa Fe Forests
This is an excellent hike which starts from near the Santa Fe Ski Ranch and leads into
Nambe lake, which is surrounded by Lake Peak and cliffs on either side (picture above). Drive along Artist Road in Santa Fe towards the Santa Fe Ski Resort. You should park
in the lower parking area at Santa Fe Ski range. Look out for a sign that says “Winsor Trail”. Then spot the route to Nambe Lake on the map that is posted at the start of the Winsor Trail.
The one-way distance is approximately 3.5 miles. After an initial ascent, the trail crosses the gate into Santa Fe National Forests, from where it goes gradually downhill. The forests are relatively dense, but at some points you shall have nice overlooks into the valley. At about two miles, the trail deviates from #254. Spot a small creek, known as Nambe Creek, and hike up along the creek. The trail is not well marked at some points, but keep close to the creek, and cross it if you need to, to get a better access path. Finally you reach this beautiful lake which is surrounded by cliffs on either side.
Aspen Vista Trail in Santa Fe Forests
This trail leads to Tesuque Peak. Round trip to Tesuque Peak is 12 miles. The well-marked trailhead is located on Artist Road #475, about 13 miles from Santa Fe downtown. The trail is extremely popular in Fall (particularly in end of September and early October) when the aspen trees have golden yellow colored leaves. The trail has a gradual gradient up for the first 2.5 miles during which you get spectacular views of the aspen forests and panoramic views of Santa Fe at some points. After 2.5 miles, the trail is steep and goes through pine and spruce forests. The above picture shows as overlook into the aspen forests and Santa Fe beyond from one of the spots in the hike.
East Fork Trail (#137) of the Jemez River
This trail follows the course of the Jemez river. Drive along #4, till you cross the Valles Caldera and reach the Las Conchas trailhead. The trail is pretty even for the first two miles, while you are walking along the Jemez river, crossing it at times on logs of wood. After two miles, you climb up the hill, and after another 3 miles, reach Highway 4. A short distance away is the majestic Jemez Falls. Total roundtrip from Las Conchas trailhead to Jemez Falls is 11 miles. A picture of Jemez Falls is below.
MacCauley Warm Springs Trail from Jemez Falls
Trail #137 ahead of Jemez Falls takes you to MacCauley Warm Springs. Round Trip from the Jemez Falls Trailhead is 3 miles. Water at the springs is nice, clear and warm, and excellent for a dip in the afternoon. You shall also find a large number and variety of fish in the waters.
Acid and Pueblo Canyon trails in Los Alamos
There are numerous trails that lead down from the Larry Walker Aquatic Center in Los Almos into the Acid and Pueblo Canyons. A detailed map of all the trails is in front of the parking lot of the aquatic center. The trails are suitable for a very pleasant morning or evening jog or walk along the canyons. You will spot a couple of bridges over steep canyons in this area. Other trailheads to these canyons are near the 37nd street playlos, in front of Aspen Elementary School, and from the Golf Course. The above picture shows the view from one of the bridges over Pueblo Canyon.
Deer Trap Mesa trail in Los Alamos
This trail is on Deer Trap Mesa as the name suggests. Drive on Barranca all the way to the end until you spot a parking lot. You should see a sign that says 'Deer Trap Mesa'. You have to first negotiate your way through some rocks. Try to stay on top, and do not go down into the canyon, else you shall not find an easy route. You eventually get to a well used trail which leads through the Deer Trap Mesa. The trail is flat, and vegetation is short shrubs, and bushes, and cacti. You eventually reach the end of the mesa from where you have a lovely view of the mesas around Los Alamos and the mountains beyond. Round trip hike should be about 2 miles. The above picture shows a view of Barranca Canyon from Deer Trap Mesa.
Valle Grande Trail
The trailhead is on Highway 4, approximately 7 miles from Los Alamos. It is well marked by a big parking lot. The trail destination is the Vallse Caldera National Preserve. You shall land up at an opening from where you shall see the vast grasslands for miles. The trail is gradual downhill from the trailhead, and is through a forest of fir, aspen, and ponderosa pine. Once the trail opens into a meadow, you can hike into the waist-high grass, until you reach the barbed wire fence. Round trip is about three miles.
Red dot trail at White Rock
There are two trails from White Rock which lead to the Rio Grande river basin: the red dot trail and the blue dot trail. Both are approximately 3 miles roundtrip. The name of the trails comes from the color of the dots on the dots used to mark the trail. The first half the trail is very rocky, and you may loose you way easily, so keep an eye on the dots. The trail passed through a small spring known Pajarito Springs. Also carry plenty of water, as the trail can get very hot especially on a sunny day. On my way back, I missed one of the dots, and lost my way around the river bed. The climb on the way back is very steep at times.
Hikes in Parajito Ski Range
During fall, you may go to the Parajito ski range, and take the lift to the top. You will find splendid views of the Valles Caldera and Redondo peak from there. Then you may hike any of the numerous slopes down to the base.
Upper and Lower Fall Trails at Bandelier National Monument
The Bandelier National Monument is certainly the top attraction in the Los Alamos belt. It provides a large number of hikes in the wilderness. Its great if you have a four wheel drive so that you can navigate the forest roads into the traiheds. The most famous one is the Painted Cave. The Upper and Lower spring trails lead from near the Bandelier NM Visitor center. They lead upto the Rio Grande river, and the round trip to this point is about 5 miles. The trail is well marked, and apart from numerous attractions that you shall find mentioned at a brochure available at the visitor center, the top attraction is to the upper and lower waterfalls, which are seen from a distance.
Visitor center to Ceremonial Cave at Bandelier
A two mile round-trip hike from the visitor center takes you to the most interesting spots at Bandelier, the Kivas, Cliff Dwellings, Long House, and the final destination - Ceremonial Cave. Ceremonial cave is fascinating because you have to climb three tall ladders to get to the top. I had never climbed that much by ladders before in my life. You will find maps and other details at the visitor center.
Williams Lake Trail in Taos Ski Valley
This trail starts from near the Taos Ski Ranch. From Taos Downtown, drive north along #68, and then turn right into #150. The trailhead is 15 miles ahead, near the lower parking lot of Taos Ski Ranch.
This is a very forested trail. Williams Lake is about 2 1/2 miles from the trailhead. You start at an elevation of 10600 feet and end at 11200 feet. You will spot a number of creeks along the trail. Williams Lake is nice and clean, and swimmers will enjoy it.
Hike to Wheeler Peak from Williams Lake
The trail ahead from Williams Lake is extremely sleep and climb up the mountain. Take plenty of water and rest frequently. The high altitude leaves you breathless very fast. Finally when you climb the cliff, you get fascinating views of the valley and you won’t believe how much you have climbed. Wheeler Peak is at an altitude of 13,161 feet and is the highest peak in New Mexico. Its is very windy at the top, but amazingly you have cell phone reception there. The way back is tough too, you constantly keep slipping amidst the rocks. Total roundtrip from Williams Lake is about 3 miles.
There is an alternate and from what I have heard, more scenic but longer route upto Wheeler Peak from a trailhead in Taos Ski Valley. The round trip fro this hike is 14 miles. Make sure that you start very early, so as to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms in the summer season which are so common in this belt.
Enjoy hiking around Los Alamos. Its definitely a very good area to live in for a range of outdoor activities.
Amitabha