Santa Fe County Highpoint Trip Report

Santa Fe Baldy (12,622 ft)

Date: September 6, 2005
Author: Rich Wilson

It rained during the night, I woke up with a leg-cramp, and we started at the wrong trailhead. However, persistence paid off and we summited at 10:25 am. Do NOT start at the Windsor Trailhead just past mile-marker 15. Continue up the road about 3/4 miles to the Windsor Trailhead with the large parking area on the right.

This is a beautiful hike through the Pecos Wilderness (no permit needed). We followed the well-marked Windsor Trail (#254) to the Skyline Trail (#251) at Puerto Nambe. Here we turned left and proceeded to the saddle south of the peak. From the saddle, we followed a good climber's path about 1 mile to the summit.

We had beautiful views from the summit but a white-out was fast approaching and, by the time we got back down to Puerto Nambe, a good lightning storm was in progress.

There is an easy 2 or 3 mile uphill stretch on the return. For those wishing to spend more time in the area (as we did), Hyde Memorial State Park has a nice little campground.

About 14 miles round trip from the correct trailhead, with 2,300 feet of net gain.