Canjilon Mountain Trail
Access:
North on Highway 84 from Espanola, 52 miles. North form Abiquiu, 30 miles. West from Taos, 93 miles. South from Chama, 31 miles. Turn on State Road 115 to the town of Canjilon. Turn left at post office onto County Road 280 and continue on Forest Road 559 for about 7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 129 to the Canjilon Lakes Campgrounds. Trailhead is located at the Upper Lakes Picnic area.
Attractions and Considerations:
This is definitely high country hiking! Many scenic vistas and streams are along the trail. From the onset at the Canjilon Lakes Campground, the trail climbs up Canjilon Mountain where you encounter high hills. Gradual climbing continues through drainages. At the Cabin Lookout, turn north along a closed road that follows the ridgeline, to open meadows to the east. The trail follows the north edge of the meadow to the junction with the Continental Divide Trail which heads south along Canjilon Creek back to the picnic area adjacent to the Upper Lake. The trail through Canjilon Meadows is not well defined, but is marked with carsonite signs and rock cairns. Vegetation includes mixed conifers and aspen.
Recommended Season:
Spring, Summer, Fall
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
Forest Road 129 (Alkali Spring Rd.) is closed to motorized travel Jan. 1 - Apr. 30.
Recreation Groups
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail on the Carson National Forest runs 102 miles between the Santa Fe and Rio Grande national forests.