Atalaya Mountain
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.