Hiking in northern New Mexico

[Whitey]

I recently moved from the Northeast to Dallas. Having not spent any time in the mountains for almost a year, I was desperate for some scenery.
Thanks to guys like Richie on this forum, I decided that New Mexico was my best, closest option. My wife and I and our two dogs hit the road at 4am for our 12 hour road trip. If you've ever driven across Texas, you know that the first 10 hours of our drive was painfully boring.
At ~hour 7 we entered the Land of Enchantment

Our destination in the distance

Pooped pooches after a long day on the road

The next morning we headed out early, but I'm a donkey and couldn't find the trail head to save my life. As a result we got a very late start to our hike. Certainly not ideal by any means.
The trail head was 10 miles down a forest road.

Finally on the trail:

This trail was ideal because it was very secluded and the river meant I didn't have to carry water for the dogs.
Greenery:

Water Break:

The spruces thinning out a bit:

...and the pay-off, the San Leonaro Lakes @ 11,400ft.

grblgrblgrblgrbl

Much better technique:

Our version of the interupting squirrel picture:

The lower of the two lakes:

 

[Whitey]

There is appearantly a trail to the top of the ridge, but we got such a late start we didn't have time for the final 1000 feet of climbing.
On the way down. The dogs and I are in the middle:

And that's a wrap for day 1. ~7 miles total.

Day 2, off to Taos...to be continued...

 

[Abel Villesca]

Very nice. Welcome to New Mexico! I hope you continue to enjoy your visit. Have you considered hiking to Wheeler Peak since you are in the area?

 

[Whitey]

Very nice. Welcome to New Mexico! I hope you continue to enjoy your visit. Have you considered hiking to Wheeler Peak since you are in the area?

I did Williams lake on day 2, which I'll upload in a few minutes. To be honest I would have loved to do Wheeler Peak but my black and tan shepherd was cashed. Maybe next time I'll just take the white shepherd as he is a beast when it comes to hiking in any conditions.

 

[Abel Villesca]

It seems you picked some excellent hikes. Williams Lake is a beautiful place, especially at dawn and dusk and if there is any moon in the sky at night. When I do Wheeler Peak I usually hike up to the lake, camp in the bowl and then do Wheeler on the following morning. How was the snow up there?

 

[Whitey]

After our first hike we headed up to Taos. I have to say that the roads through the mountains to Taos are an absolute dream for sportscars/sportbikes/motards. Curve after beautiful curve. Being in a top heavy SUV left a lot to be desired.

You have no idea how hard it was to smuggle these two in my suitcase at the hotel:

The road to the trail head behind Taos Ski Valley:

Plenty of glorious snow:

Whoa doggies!

 

[Whitey]

Back at the car. Boy did I do something wrong here:

Obligatory head-out-the-window shot:

TSV...not for beginners:

 

[KSJeep]

Nice, glad your enjoying NM.

 

[Cypher]

Ahh man your killing me!! I miss NM, but still love AZ. Great photos! Great Dogs! Thanks for sharing... :victory:

 

[Whitey]

A few more from the road:

 

[rcintx]

When did you take this trip? I would love to go hike in the snow (if it's still there). I live in West Texas, and haven't seen the mountains since ski season. I need to go back!

Was there much traffic on the trails? Specifically, Williams lake and Wheeler peak.

 

[Whitey]

When did you take this trip? I would love to go hike in the snow (if it's still there). I live in West Texas, and haven't seen the mountains since ski season. I need to go back!

Was there much traffic on the trails? Specifically, Williams lake and Wheeler peak.

I drove out there last Sunday (6/6/2010). I did the first hike on Monday. The only people on the San Leonardo Lakes trail were a few hill people that live up in the mountains. I was going to do Trampas Lake the following day but the town I was staying in was aweful, so I drove up to Taos.
I did Williams Lake on Tuesday and it is a very popular trail. I saw at least a dozen or two people on that hike. Williams lake is about two miles up and is also the beginning of the Wheeler Peak trail.
Where in west TX do you live? I'm out that way once a month for work.

 

[Richie]

Ooooohh I like those pictures. Williams Lake is definitely one of the most beautiful hikes in the state. I'm a little surprised to see that much snow after the heat wave the state went through. Great stuff though! Thanks for sharing.

I'm headed up that way in 2 weeks for some camping. I'll be expecting more snow than I thought.

 

[rcintx]

I drove out there last Sunday (6/6/2010). I did the first hike on Monday. The only people on the San Leonardo Lakes trail were a few hill people that live up in the mountains. I was going to do Trampas Lake the following day but the town I was staying in was aweful, so I drove up to Taos.
I did Williams Lake on Tuesday and it is a very popular trail. I saw at least a dozen or two people on that hike. Williams lake is about two miles up and is also the beginning of the Wheeler Peak trail.
Where in west TX do you live? I'm out that way once a month for work.

Awesome! Maybe I can get up that way in the next couple of weeks. I live just outside of Lubbock. This flat, arid, dusty, HOT, place is wearing on me. I think a weekend in the mountains will be very refreshing.

 

[Ursidae69]

Excellent trip! I've done the San Leonardo Lakes hike a few times. I'm wondering how you found that gem? It is not a well known trail. The Williams lake trail is pretty well known though and a sweet hike. I always seem to find Texans on that trail when I hike it. :coffeedrink: