Atalaya - Upper Trailhead — Attraction in Santa Fe

This is termed a moderate hike. But if you are a middle aged couple with teenage kids and you all like to hike but aren't every weekend hikers... then this moderate to hard bc of the climb. Bit it's worth it. There are plenty of shady spots so plan to stop. Maybe eat PB&Js halfway up. There last mile has some unrelenting climbs, but at the top things level out and you can rest. It's fun and near Santa Fe so it's easy to get to. Remember... park and follow the private residential street to the trail head. It looks weird but trust me, it's the right way. You'll walk a little more than ½ mile along road then see...

DO NOT PARK AT ST JOHN’S COLLEGE

We followed the reviews and the local signage and parked at the trail head parking lot. We were approached by a woman who identified herself as “college staff” and immediately began screaming and yelling at us that we could not park there. When we asked why the sign indicated that was trail head parking she became aggressive and threatened to have us towed.

I would recommend parking on the street just beyond the entrance in order to avoid the parking lot demon. The area is gorgeous and is meant to be shared and...

Well-maintained little trailhead with parking for maybe 6 vehicles. No bathrooms nearby. Access to Atalaya and Picacho Peaks, plus the Dale Ball trail system. For Atalaya, head right from the the TH; left for Picacho and Dale Ball. The views of Santa Fe, from South to West (not so much to the North), are panoramic! The trail doesn't exactly follow trail apps, yet finding our way even in snow was easy enough. And, somewhat surpisingly, though it was a fairly warm day, there was flowing water...