Hiking or mountain biking - rent gear here or bring your own - try trails on the ski mountain (the lift will even carry your bike!) or go for miles on any number of scenic trails in and around our village. You'll be amazed at the spectacular views of surrounding mountain peaks and valleys with many photo ops along the way. Several of the trails are also great for horseback riding.

  We have listed below a few brief descriptions of some of the trails in our area, but we suggest you stop in our office in Centro Plaza for hiking information, or to review The Hiker's Guide to the Enchanted Circle, and to pick up handouts on what to do if you meet a bear while hiking.
We also recommend that you carry water, rain gear, light snacks and a compass when hiking.
It is best to hike early in the mornings before afternoon showers set in. Be sure to check the weather before starting your hike and beware that the showers can move in quickly.

A local hiking group, the Moreno Valley Trekkers, have frequently scheduled activities throughout the year. To see their most recent schedule, click here. The schedule is also
a good source for hiking trail descriptions.

Click here to see some trail descriptions and maps of trails in Angel Fire and Cimarron Canyon State Park, or continue to scroll down this page to view several other trail descriptions. New in 2008 - NM State Park, GAIN and Habitat management and Access Validation Fees apply to Cimarron Canyon -- See Fees for Hiking in Cimarron Canyon

The Angel Fire Chamber assumes no responsibility for mishaps that can occur while on hiking trails.

"What do you mean it's time to return to the city; we're never coming off this mountain!" Having lunch on the Latir Baldy Summit.

WARNING!!! IF YOU ARE FROM THE CITY AND HIKE IN OUR MOUNTAINS YOU MAY NOT WANT TO COME BACK DOWN! ONCE YOU HEAR THE BIRDS CHIRPING, THE WILD SQUIRRELS CHATTERING, THE ELK BUGLING, THE CREEKS BUBBLING, SEE THE COLORFUL WILDFLOWERS, AND SMELL THE PINE AND CEDAR TREES YOU WILL WANT TO STAY FOREVER! MOST AWESOME OF ALL IS THE QUIET THAT SURROUNDS YOU!

Elliot Barker Trail 

The Elliott Barker Trail complex has a variety of routes to explore. The trailhead, on Hwy 64 at a sharp turn between Palo Flechado Pass and the blinking light on Hwy 434 at Angel Fire, is well marked and has an improved parking area. The trails are open 4 seasons and support many activities including, hiking, biking, equestrian, snow-shoe, x-country skiing, snowmobile, and wildlife viewing.

	The views are constantly changing, but are always spectacular. Depending on the selected route, views of  Valle Escondido, Wheeler Wilderness, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest & Eagle Nest Lake, and the entire Moreno Valley are always present. The forest is fir, spruce,  pine, and tall aspen. Wild flowers abound in late June early July with cinquefoil and iris covering the meadows. Wildlife, and their tracks and scat, are easily spotted.   The following are popular routes. Mileage is always incremental from previous point. -        Short Loop - Loop length 1.4 miles, Elevation Gain 280 ft. From the parking area walk through the gate, continue straight ahead on dirt road. At the rustic fence (.25 miles) turn left and cross the small stream on the wooden bridge. Continue up the road until reaching the intersection with a trail (.5 miles). The trail on right going South leads to the Woop De Do trail, Bull Springs and Apache Pass. The trail going North on your left returns to the parking area (.7 miles).
-        Palo Flechado Pass Loop - Loop length 4.9 miles, Elevation Gain ft. From the parking area walk through the gate, continue straight ahead on dirt road. Pass through the rustic fence (.25 miles) continue straight to a small pond (.2 miles) and follow trail into the forest. The trail continue South West gaining elevation, and generally following a very small stream until reaching the top of the pass with Hwy 64 very close on your right (.7 miles).   Pass through the People Gate , turn left heading South East with a large valley meadow on your right. Follow the trail over rolling terrain until intersecting a trail going North (1.25 miles). The trail going South to your right leads to Bull Spring meadow and Apache Pass. The trail going North returns the user to the trailhead. Take the trail going North, generally going down hill, to a trail intersection (2.25 miles). Continue going North East (.7  miles) to the trailhead.	Pond on Elliott Barker Trail
	-        Bull Spring / Apache Pass Extension - Round Trip length miles, Elevation Gain  ft. From the Palo Flechado loop intersection, turn right and continue south through Bull Spring meadow, through the people gate, left into the forest to the power lines at Apache pass. The property under the power line is private property as is all property on the East side of the National Forest boundary. There is no exit to Angel Fire Village from the National Forest and the user must return to the original trailhead
-        Woop De Do Extension - Round Trip length 3.6 miles, Elevation Gain ft. From the trail intersection at the Southern end of the Short Loop trail, continue South to intersection with the Woop De Do trail (.1 miles). Continue South over rolling terrain to a People Gate (1.8 miles). The property south of the fence is private property as is all property on the South or East side of the National Forest boundary. There is no exit to Angel Fire Village from the National Forest and the user must return to the original trailhead.	View of Eagle Nest Lake from upper Tolby Trail.
3 miles in on the lower Tolby Trail in Cimarron Canyon.	For a nice leisurely level hike take Forest Road 5 which begins on the west side of Palo Flechado Pass. From Angel Fire take Hwy 64 west, go over the Palo Flechado Pass until you come to the 15 mile an hour hairpin curve at the bottom of the pass and you will see the gate entrance to Forest Road 5. This is also a good trail for snowshoeing or cross country skiing in the winter.

   Clear Creek Trail
in Cimarron Canyon - NM Fees Apply

Clear Creek Trail in Cimarron Canyon is one of the most popular of the many spectacular hiking trails in the Enchanted Circle. The 3 & ½ mile trail, 7 miles round trip, is easy to follow and rises about 600 feet. Overall it is about a 3 hour hike. Elevation gain is 1000 feet. You'll find a place to park at mile marker 292 on Hwy 64 in the Cimarron Canyon, with the trail head just the other side of the log with water running through it. There are several log bridges that have plywood planks mounted on them, which carry you over the stream in several spots along the trail. The bubbling creek is almost always in site and calms the hiker with its steady gurgling rhythm. The creek freezes solid in winter. There are 4-5 small waterfalls along the trail. Moss covers rocks, tree trunks and the ground in many areas along the way. Higher up you'll find leafy growth, tall flowers, butterflies, and moist ground that reminds one of a rain forest. The first waterfall is found about 1 & ½ miles from the trailhead and is a great place for resting and photo ops. There are some manmade steps about 30 minutes in that are a little slick and steep in the warmer months and are very slick in winter, otherwise the trail is easily traversed. A variety of flowers are found along the trail, as are many large fir, aspen, and ponderosa pines. In the fall, the golden aspens are shimmering bright and the leaves on the trail make for a dream of a walking path, not to mention the wonderful aromas of the forest - your worries will slip away! Stop in the aspen grove, when you cross the bridge to the east side of the stream, and see if you can find carvings dated years ago!  New in 2008 - Fees apply for hiking in Cimarron Canyon -- see Fees for Hiking in Cimarron Canyon.

Cabresto Lake above Red River, NM.

Kathy & Herb Kalen taking dog Moki on his first hike on Latir Baldy.

For a schedule of hikes led by the local hiking club the Moreno Valley Trekkers and local birding trips click here

WINTER HIKING / CAMPING

The trails in the Carson National Forest are available for winter hiking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing - but they are not maintained. The trails in Cimarron Canyon State Park are also open for hiking in the winter, but are also not maintained. Snow conditions can vary throughout the winter, so caution needs to be taken when venturing out in the winter - deep snow is more difficult to trek through than a light covering of snow, but either could result in slick conditions. You would need to be prepared to comply with "leaving no trace" regulations whether you are just hiking or doing "primitive" camping. You can contact the Carson National Forest at 505-758-6200 or the Cimarron Canyon State Park office at 505-377-6271.

Click here for Campground listings around Angel Fire.

OFF ROAD VEHICLE USE
ATV's, Snowmobiles, Dirt Bikes, SUV's, Golf Carts

Four-wheelers welcome. The State of New Mexico has now implemented a permit program for ATV/OHV.  You can purchase your permit over the phone by contacting the New Mexico Department of Tourism at 505-827-4751, 505-827-7400 or 505-827-4759.  
               
FEE SCHEDULE

All of the vehicles listed above must have a state off-highway registration. Different rules and regulations apply to off-roading in Angel Fire and in the Carson National Forest. Click this link to see the regulations for motorized vehicles that were jointly prepared and reviewed by the Association of Angel Fire Property Owners, Village of Angel Fire, and the Carson National Forest in February 2004. Click this link for an off road map.
You may stop in the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce, in Centro Plaza on Hwy 434 in Angel Fire, for additional maps and hints for off-roading. Should you have further questions regarding off-roading please contact one of the following:
AAFPO: 505-377-6680
Village of Angel Fire: 505-377-3232
Carson National Forest; Camino Real Ranger District: 505-587-2255

Photos by: Hawk Publications, Marcy Archer, and Bill Chapman
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