Trail Crew Progress on Windstorm Damaged Trails

A severe windstorm called a squall impacted the Taos, NM, area in December 2021. The Questa Ranger District to the north of town was especially hit hard.

Trail crews and partners have been hard at work once the snow began to melt.

To date, the Columbine, Williams Lake and Wheeler Summit trails have been largely cleared and are good for travel. Others are partially cleared or remain not recommended.

The list on this page is not exhaustive but represents the most popular front country trails on the district. It will be updated as progress is made.

Trail Statuses and Conditions

Last updated August 31, 2022

Highway 150 (Taos Ski Valley)

Listed in order as you drive up the canyon.

Trail	Status	Condition Report
Yerba Canyon Trail 61	Open	Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorm were cleared in May from the trailhead to as far crews could reach due to snow. More downed trees may be found at higher elevations.
Manzanita Canyon Trail 58	Open	Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorm were cleared in May from the trailhead to as far crews could reach due to snow. More downed trees may be found at higher elevations.
Italianos Canyon Trail 59	Open	Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorm were cleared in May from the trailhead to as far crews could reach due to snow. More downed trees may be found at higher elevations.
Gavilan Trail 60	Open	Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorm were cleared in May from the trailhead to as far crews could reach due to snow. More downed trees may be found at higher elevations.
Wheeler Peak Trail 90	Open	Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorn have been cleared from trailhead to to Frazier Mountain. About two dozen downed trees remain just north of La Cal Basin.
Long Canyon Trail 63	Open	Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorn have been cleared from its junction at Wheeler Peak Trail (90) and Gold Hill Trail (64).
Gold Hill Trail	Not Cleared	A severe windstorm in December 2021 downed over 100 trees along the trail.
Williams Lake Trail 62	Open	A temporary quarter-mile reroute near the trailhead is in effect due to downed trees after the December 2021 windstorm. Follow signs to stay on track.
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail 67	Open	Trail crews have cleared all downed trees from the December 2021 windstorm.

Red River

Trail	Status	Condition Report
Columbine Canyon Trail 71	Open	Trail crews have cleared all downed trees from the December 2021 windstorm.
Deer Creek Trail 69	Not Cleared	Trail crews have cleared Columbine Canyon Trail (#71) but not connecting trails, including this one.
Placer Fork Trail 72	Not Cleared	Trail crews have cleared Columbine Canyon Trail (#71) but not connecting trails, including this one.
Willow Fork Trail 104	Not Cleared	Trail crews have cleared Columbine Canyon Trail (#71) but not connecting trails, including this one.
Cow Lake Trail 96	Not Cleared	Trail crews have cleared Columbine Canyon Trail (#71) but not connecting trails, including this one.
Goose Creek Trail 65	Open	This trail is partially cleared from downed trees after the December 2021 windstorm. Travel is not recommended.

Cabresto Lake

Trail	Status	Condition Report
Lake Fork Trail	Open	The trail has been entirely cleared of downed trees caused by the December 2021 windstorm.

Lost Lake Loop

Trail	Status	Condition Report
East Fork Trail 56	Not Cleared	At least 500 downed trees after the December 2021 windstorm are impacting this trail. Travel is not recommended.
Middle Fork West Fork Road Trail 487	Open	The road and trail has been cleared of downed trees to Middle Fork Lake.
Lost Lake Trail 91	Open	19 trees remain across the trail between Lost Lake and East Fork Trail junction. The remaining trees are reportebly passable for hikers. Cyclists may have to walk their bikes and skilled equestrians might be able to pass.
Sawmill Park Trail 55	Unreachable	This trail has not been surveyed after the December 2021 windstorm, which downed thousands of trees in the area. Additionally, the East Fork Trail (56), which connects to the Sawmill Park Trail, has been surveyed and currently contains about 500 downed trees. Travel is not recommended.