Explore Outdoor Activities: Camping and Hiking

Last week Luna and I had been up to Gold Hill in Taos. The weather was below freezing and the snow was deep enough to need show shoes. Barely a week later we were in high desert country; the weather is in the 70's, plenty of sun and summer hiking boots. Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu was less than three hours from Taos. Part of the beauty of northern New Mexico is this change in climate and scenery.

This will be my last snowshoe journey for the season. We are heading up to Gold Hill from the Taos Ski Valley. The snow is still three or four feet deep but crusty and packed. The skiers are thinning out and some of the slopes are closed. I can see the runs; they look barren in spots while others still retain enough base to keep them open. The snow has lost its sparkle. The top crusty layer is sprinkled with flecks of brown and broken pine needles. A fine layer of dust rests on top, almost as if it is pushing the snow into the ground. The softness from last month has been replaced with snow that has melted and reformed. Snow that has been windblown, rained on, and felt the touch of spring. It makes the hiking easier but the beauty, glitter, powder, and depth are quickly fading.

The Santa Fe ski basin has ample opportunities for a variety of snow shoe hikes from moderate to steep. The most popular is the Windsor trail with branches that can take you to various lakes, mountains over 12,000 feet, and tree lined valleys. The trails are popular, well marked and at this time of year they are nicely packed down.

Mountain Snowshoeing

The Williams Lake trail has ample parking, is easy to locate, and starts behind the Bavarian Inn near the Taos ski area. The trail is well used that travels, more or less, in a direct line to Williams Lake. In the winter time you will occasionally see cross country ski tracks going off the trail but the trail itself is well packed by snowshoers and hikers. One way will take about one and a half to two hours with approximately 800 feet of elevation gain starting at about 10,200 feet. The hike isn't overly strenuous but it will increase the heart rate and pushing yourself at that elevation could cause some shortness of breath. Stopping frequently to take in the spectacular

Snow shoe trails this time of year tend to end just where it starts to get interesting. Packing down one to two feet of snow, plowing through fresh drifts, and trying to see the semblance of a trail is a laborious and time consuming act. Of course you have the company of snow covered pines along with various forms of snow and ice sculpted for their wild beauty to keep you company. Then there is the occasional glimpse of a snow capped peak outlined against the crystal blue sky that helps to keep the legs moving forward.