Hike New Mexico
w/Tom & Ken
Hike New Mexico
w/Tom & Ken
Latir Peaks Via Lakes
Hike Statistics
Nearby City / Locale:
Costilla-Amalia
Hike Difficulty:
Med-Difficult
Total Length of Hike:
3.2
Max to Min Elevation:
814 ft
* Total Ascent / Descent:
1636 /
959 ft
Estimate based on track data
Logistics: One Way
Exposure Type: Full sun
Seasons :
Summer
"Wow" Factor: A must for serious NM hikers
Authors last hiked: 2025-08-30
More!
View Full Page Map
Download GPX File
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!
This will be brief, as the site just crashed and lost much text. Drive North from Taos on NM522 to Costilla at the CO border. If you were going to Ute Mtn you needed to turn a mile back on CR-B. But for Latirs turn right in town on NM196 and go 14 miles to the RCCLA Park & Campground gate and pay booth. Pay $20 per car for day use, or $20/car for camping, and drive in for another 7 miles up graded dirt roads maintained by RCCLA to the foot of Latir Peak at the 3rd of 9 Latir lakes. The Latir Lakes and peaks trailhead is at the top of a significant hill up from the 2nd lake to the 3rd, and if you go down to the upper lake shore, you are too far. It is an ATV track that goes right off the crest of the hill from a car turnoff there. No markings are provided, but you'll need this good track uphill to make through lots of deadfall choked forest until you get to the 9th and final lake, where the fun starts.
The ATV track is described separately, so here we assume you are on the shore of the 9th lake, with a high mountain cirque facing you as shown in this pinned photo. To get to Latir Peak directly in front of you just turn right across the small outlet stream, and walk North, ascending that ridge ~300' on steeper dirt with some rock. Then follow the ridge crest directly to the peak with easy tundra walking. You can then follow the South ridge over to the Heart Lake Trail coming from the South, and on to Venado, Virsylvia, and Cabresto Peaks, if you wish to make a day of it. On the way back you can continue on the Heart Lake trail on the Southern rim of the Latir Lakes cirque, and then drop directly down to the lake on rather gentle slopes if you wait until you are past the lake and above the terminal moraine. The provided GPX routes should be all you need to stay in good shape in this open tundra wonderland. You may see large herds of mountain sheep roaming in the distance too.