Aspen Ranch Loop

Brad and David start heading up Trail 163

The trail parallels an irrigation ditch and the Rio en Medio for a couple of miles

lots of waterfalls tumbling down the Rio en Medio

Luke and Sassy love all the water

Today's hike was a new loop for us. We drove up Pacheco Canyon Rd., a fire road in a state of disrepair, to the Aspen Ranch trail head at about 9,300'. From there most people hike down to the Rio en Medio or Rio Nambe. But you can also hike UP Trail 163, which parallels the Rio en Medio, climbing for about 2 1/2 miles to the intersection of the Winsor Trail, at about 1/2 mile from the ski area parking lot.

We took the Winsor Trail up to the Nordic Ski Trails at 10,300', the highest point of our hike, and then descended the trail back to the fire road for the final 3 1/2 miles. The Tesuque Pueblo owns some private grazing land in the area for their cows who frequently elude the fences and hang out in the road. Luke and Sassy enjoyed a bit of cow herding on our final 2 mile slug up in the rain to our car.

We reach the Winsor Trail at around 10,000'

the aspens are just beginning to turn

8 mile loop