Devisadero Loop Trail 108

General Information

From Taos, follow US Highway 64 approximately three miles east.  Parking is along the highway at the El Nogal Picnic Area.

Location: Camino Real Ranger District- Taos Canyon

Trail Beginning: 7,190 feet

Trail Ending: 7,190 feet

Attractions and Consideration:

The Devisadero Loop Trail will pass through two very different forest types.  On the south facing slope the trail travels through pinons, juniper and some gambel oak.  As the trail drops over to the north side of the mountain the environment is much darker and cooler with tall Douglas firs and white firs replacing the smaller drought resistant pinon/juniper forest.

Approximately ¼ miles from the trailhead you will encounter a fork in the trail.  The right-hand fork goes directly up to the Devisardero Peak, elevation 8,304 feet.  The left-hand fork has switchbacks which will take you up to the ridgeline.  Once on the ridgeline, you can follow the trail eastward to the Devisadero Peak.

Devisadero means a “lookout” point or place.  The peak had once been used by the Taos Pueblo Indians to stand guard against the Apaches who would come down Taos Canyon to raid the pueblo.

In summer, there is quite an array of beautiful wildflowers.  There are several vista overlook points along this trail.  Looking westward are beautiful views of the town of Taos, the Rio Grande and San Antonio Mountain.  Looking northward you will see the Taos Pueblo and the Wheeler Peak Wilderness area.

Recommended Season:

Summer and fall for hiking, biking and horseback, and winter and early spring for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Length: 5.1 miles

Map of Devisadero Loop Trail (pdf file)

Map of Devisadero Loop Trail (kmz file) Need Google Earth.

Free download to google Earth: http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html