Hike New Mexico
w/Tom & Ken
Hike New Mexico
w/Tom & Ken
Atalaya Mountain
Hike Statistics
Nearby City / Locale:
Santa Fe
Hike Difficulty:
Moderate
Total Length of Hike:
5.2
Max to Min Elevation:
1596 ft
* Total Ascent / Descent:
1677 /
1617 ft
Estimate based on track data
Logistics: Out-and-back
Exposure Type: Mixed sun/shade
Seasons :
All
"Wow" Factor: Local views
Authors last hiked: 2019-06-04
More!
View Full Page Map
Download GPX File
For additional photos, click here:
Photo Album Link
On-line directions to the trailhead:
Google Directions
Scroll down to see photos and additonal information. Click on photos for enlarged view. Red segments on the elevation chart indicate slopes of 18 degrees or higher.
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TRAIL TIPS!
Exercise caution during steep sections, as loose sand and gravel can result in slipping. See the map for the location of a rather sharp turn (indicated by a blue flag on the map) which appears to go straight ahead instead. While the trail appears to continue forward, it soon diminishes, becomes rather steep and may require some scrambling and route-finding to get to the summit.
Atalaya Mountain is reached via Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe city limits. It is a popular local area hike, and the trail is adjacent to the Dorothy Stewart Trail and the Dale Ball Trail System of Santa Fe. Atalaya Mountain is on the south end of the Sangre de Cristos, and offers very nice views of the area. Since it is a popular hike, it is advisable to arrive early or the small parking area at the upper trailhead will be full, and there are no adjacent parking places. An alternative is to park in the St John's College Parking Lot and hike the extra distance - signs for the trail are provided from there.
Note that the trail splits at points (indicated by the yellow flags on the map) into "Easier" and "Steeper" routes. The easier route is much longer, but nonetheless has some steeper sections. Note the Trail Tips above to avoid a wrong turn.