Winsor Trailhead — Attraction in Four Corners States

Just a beautiful trail, whether you're a hiker, runner, or mountain biker. Also one of the busiest trails near town in the summer, serving often as a connector for the many other trails that intersect it along its length.

One end of the trail starts just east of the town of Tesuque and follows Tesugue Creek until its intersection with the Borego Trail, at which point the trail continues northeast while the creek meanders eastward. Continuing up the trail, you'll cross Pacheco road, pass by the XC-ski parking area, then finally arrive at this trailhead (the midpoint of the trail), which also happens to be the lower part of the Ski Santa Fe parking lot. If you continue north and up along the trail from here, you'll quickly hit the Wilderness boundary and bikes will have to turn around or hook a right to head up the very steep Raven's ridge.

All the best bits of the trail occur north of the Wilderness Boundary. The forest is just gorgeous there and the trail, while still in good condition, is not overly manicured. If you continue on it long enough, you'll eventually reach Winsor Creek as it drains out of lake Katherine. The trail continues along this creek from there (though there is also a less steep alternate route that diverges from the creek and takes a few switchbacks) until it reaches the old Winsor homestead, just west of Cowels, far up the Pecos canyon.

All sections of the Windsor trail are recommended, though the section between the ski area and the turn off to the Chamisa trail is the most heavily trafficked in the summer, especially when it comes to downhill bike traffic (and for good reason-- it's a fun descent that's rideable for nearly all ability levels). If you're hiking or running and can handle the altitude, starting at the ski area and heading north or starting up the Pecos canyon and heading south are my highest recommendations. But you really...

The Windsor forest trail is the likely the most hiked trail on the Santa Fe end of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This is not exactly the start of the trailhead but a midway access point, the east trailhead access is down in Tesuque (very limited parking and access) and the West access is in the Pecos valley. The Windsor is a long trail (at least 20 miles end to end) that crosses multiple meadows and gives hikers the option to access connecting trails, lakes, streams, meadows, peaks and high line ridges. This is also the access trail to Santa Fe Baldy and Lake Katherine. You can see horses, hikers and mountain bikers on this trail, as well as a variety of game and wildlife. Dogs are allowed please...

Looking to get away? Need some outdoor time. Hiking the Winsor Trail is good for that. Make sure you do the following for a safe hike: Let others know where your going and when you are going to be returning. Place this same info in your car at the trail head. Take plenty of water and some food. Take a map and compass along with your GPS Take extra layers and rain gear just in case. If you are coming from a lower elevation, give yourself a couple of days to get acclimated before heading up to 10,000+ feet. Over all...BE PREPARED. Have fun and...