Trail Crew Progress on Windstorm Damaged Trails
A severe windstorm called a squall impacted the Taos, N.M., area in December 2021. The Questa Ranger District to the north of town was especially hit hard.
- Trail crews, volunteers and partners have been hard at work since snow began melting spring 2022. Work will continue in 2025.
- The list on this page is not exhaustive, but represents the most popular front country trails, as well as backcountry ones with visitor condition reports.
- Some downed trees fallen after clearing efforts may be encountered, but will not be denoted on this page.
- No matter where you are in the forest, always be prepared for the possibility of hazard trees.
Volunteers and partner groups have been critical in increasing the capacity of Forest staff in clearing these trails. If you're interested in working with our trails program, contact Trails Coordinator Craig Saum at craig.saum@usda.gov.
Trail Statuses and Conditions
Highway 150 (Taos Ski Valley)
Listed in order as you drive up the canyon.
| Trail | Status | Condition Report |
|---|---|---|
| Yerba Canyon Trail 61 | Cleared | 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 | Cleared | 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 | Cleared | 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 | Cleared | 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 | Cleared | 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 | Cleared | 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 | Cleared | Downed trees have been cleared. |
| Williams Lake Trail 62 | Cleared | Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorn have been cleared. |
| Wheeler Peak Summit Trail 67 | Cleared | Downed trees from the December 2021 windstorn have been cleared |
Red River
| Trail | Status | Condition Report |
|---|---|---|
| Columbine Canyon Trail 71 | Cleared | 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 | Cow Lake Trail is not a maintained trail. |
| Goose Creek Trail 65 | Cleared | Downed trees are cleared. |
Cabresto Lake / Midnight Meadows
| Trail | Status | Condition Report |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Fork Trail | Cleared | The trail has been entirely cleared of downed trees caused by the December 2021 windstorm. |
| Midnight Trail | Not Cleared | This trail has not been surveyed or cleared. Visitor reports indicate significant numbers of downed trees across the trail. |
Lost Lake Loop
The Lost Lake Loop is fully cleared as of summer 2023!
| Trail | Status | Condition Report |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Trail 56 | Cleared | The trail was cleared in summer 2023. |
| Middle Fork West Fork Road Trail 487 | Cleared | The road and trail has been cleared of downed trees to Middle Fork Lake. |
| Lost Lake Trail 91 | Cleared | The trail is clear between the Middle Fork Lake and East Fork trails. The condition between the junction with East Fork Trail and Wheeler Ridge is unknown. |
| Sawmill Park Trail 55 | Not Cleared | Travel is not recommended. |
Highway 518
| Trail | Status | Condition Report |
|---|---|---|
| Comales Canyon Trail 22 | Not Cleared | About 200 deadfall remain on the eastern half of the loop near the Comales Cutoff (#22A) and Bear Mountain (#28) trails. |