Carson National Forest
Amole Canyon

Camino Real Ranger District

Elevations:

• Trail Beginning: 8,150'
• Trail End: 8,150'

From Taos, take State Road 518 south for 15 miles from the junction of State Roads 518 and 68. Go about 2 miles past the US Hill Vista. Parking is onthe east side of the road at the entrance to Forest Road 703. Once you get here, there are 8 good trails for the cross country skier in you. The intersections are signed with blue diamonds designating the courses. Snowmobiles are not allowed and snowshoers keep off the tracks. Keep dogs off the groomed trails, too.

Trails 1, 2 and 3 are excellent beginner routes with open stands of Ponderosa, meadows and gentle slopes. Trails 1 and 2 are tracked and groomed periodically. Trails 4, 5 and 6 have slightly steeper slopes and longer distances and are rated as intermediate.

Trail 7 is rated as more difficult because it's about a mile longer and has about 200 yards of 20% grade near the head of Amole Canyon. On both the Upper and Lower Loops the recommended direction of travel is up Amole Canyon. Trail 8 is rated as most difficult because of the 1/4 mile of 20% grade. This section of the route is narrow and not recommended for those who haven't mastered steep, narrow courses.

Season: summer and fall for horseback and hiking, winter and early spring for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

USGS quad: Tres Ritos