Pecos Wilderness

Hike Name: Pecos Wilderness Location: north NM Length: 24+ Submitted by: Steve Cypher Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more New Mexico trail reviews New Mexico national parks New Mexico state parks
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Description
I hiked to the heart of the Pecos Wilderness starting at Panhcuela Campground, then on to Pecos Baldy Lake, Truches Lakes and Santa Barbara Divide. Most people hike to Pecos Baldy from the heavily-used Jacks Creek Campground and Trail 257. Starting at Panchuela and hiking Trail 259 avoids some of the crowd and horse manure. There are a couple of nice meadows with water on Trail 259. My old map shows a Trail 256 crossing the ridge to the west, but this trail no longer exists. After about 4.5 miles you hit Jacks Creek and follow the crowd up Trail 257 about 2.5 miles to Pecos Baldy Lake. Many people camp here because it’s a good day’s hike and very pretty. Consider the altitude if you spend the first night here. There was an enormous herd of big horn sheep at Pecos Baldy this summer (2002). There is a good trail up the peaks on the south side of East Pecos Baldy.

From Pecos Baldy Lake, Trail 251 to Truches Lakes is a beautiful half-day hike. The easiest route to the top of Truches Peak is from the north end of Trailriders Ridge; keep following the ridge to the top. Truches Lakes is a much quieter area than Pecos Baldy. There are no good trails up the peaks from here, but they are not difficult to climb. There are a couple of spots you can get into trouble on the ridge between North Truches and Middle Truches. I look forward to spending more time at Truches Lakes.

Pecos Wilderness offers several days of hiking above tree line. Trail 251 and Trail 36 to Jicarita Peak are incredible on a clear day. From the ridge top you can chose between many scenic valleys for a place to camp.

This summer Trail 249 across the top of Hamilton Mesa was closed, and the areas around Pecos Falls and Beattys Flats were closed to camping.

I’ve also been to Stewart Lake, which is terribly over-used and should be avoided. Lake Katherine is very pretty but crowded. Trail 251 to Lake Katherine and Santa Fe Baldy is a mean climb.

Hermit Peak in the southeast portion of the wilderness is a moderate but beautiful climb from El Porvenir Campground. There’s a spring on top and good campsites. Beaver Creek, west of Hermit Peak, has great meadows for camping. Be prepared to do a lot of wading if you hike through Porvenir Canyon.

Directions to Hike
The little town of Pecos, NM is off I-25 between Santa Fe and Las Vegas, NM. From the middle of Pecos, take state road 63 north following the river. Jacks Creek campground is at the end of the road almost 30 miles north of town. To get to Pancheula, turn left at Cowles, cross the river and immediately turn right.

Contact Information
Santa Fe National Forest Headquarters
1474 Rodeo Road
Sante Fe, NM 87505
(505)438-7840

Pecos Ranger Station
(505)757-6121

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