Provided by John Bailey, RGDN manager – June 2016
Saturday, June 11 – 9 am, 1½ hours
La Senda del Medio Trail, Orilla Verde ‒ An easy 2 ½ mile hike starting at the trailhead in Pilar Campground on NM 570. The trail follows a wide ledge about 200 feet above the river, offering dramatic views up and down the Gorge, led by park ranger Barry Weinstock.
Sunday, June 12 – 8:30 or 9 am, 3 hours
Pescado Trail, Wild Rivers ‒ Del Dubois , former Monument park ranger, will meet at 8:30 at the KTAO parking area, or 9 am at the Red River Fish Hatchery’s parking area near the fishing pond for this 3 ½ mile round trip hike to the Wild Rivers Visitor Center and back. Enjoy the coolness of a north facing side canyon and a grove of Ponderosa, along with great views of the lower Red River gorge.
Saturday, June 18 – 8 am, 8 hours
Ute Mountain Hike ‒ Meet at the Alta gas station in Costilla at 8 am. This is a steep hike (elevation gain 2,500 feet over 3 miles, comparable to the hike to Wheeler Peak) in a wilderness setting with no trail. Led by John Bailey, Suzie Benton and Erin Freiboth. We recommend long pants and long sleeves, along with plenty of water and a lunch to celebrate reaching the highest point in the Monument.
Sunday, June 19 – 9 am, 2 hours
La Vista Verde Trail, Orilla Verde ‒ Meet at the trailhead on NM 567, about ½ mile west of Taos Junction Bridge for this easy 2 ½ mile round trip hike with ranger Randy Roch. Impressive views from within the gorge and a compelling series of petroglyphs.
Tuesday, June 21 – 9 am, 5 hours
Petroglyph Tour, North of Cerro Chiflo ‒ Meet BLM volunteer Gary Grief (Taos Archaeological Society) for this all-day tour of petroglyphs on the west side of the Rio Grande. Meet at the KTAO parking lot at 9am. High clearance vehicles are a must, and four-wheel drive is recommended. The petroglyphs are a part of a multi-cultural complex, with one panel having markings that are aligned with the solstice. Please bring a lunch.
Saturday, June 25 – 9 am, 2 hours
The Slide Trail/Old 570, Orilla Verde ‒ Meet at the new trailhead at the end of County Road C-110 (about 3 miles past the UNM Klauer campus) for this moderate 3 mile round trip hike. Great views of the Rio Pueblo de Taos canyon, petroglyphs, geologic features, and possible wildlife sightings, led by park ranger Barry Weinstock.
Saturday, June 25 – 9 am, 2 hours
Big Arsenic Trail, Wild Rivers ‒ Join park ranger Tim Long at the Big Arsenic campground trail head for this 2 mile roundtrip hike into the Gorge. Along with the beautiful springs there are petroglyphs that shed light on the cultural history of the area.
Please bring a snack, hat, sunscreen, water and sturdy footwear.
Learn more. Visitor Center (Pilar) 575-751-4899 Taos Office 575-758-8851
Download a Visitors Guide to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, published in 2015 by MARKETAOS, in collaboration with Taos BLM.
Find outfitters on BeyondTaos