New Mexico · Hiking

East Fork

East ForkPhoto: RuggyBearLA, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
18.6 mi
round trip
2,114 ft
climb
8,558 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is East Fork open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Jemez Ranger District. It doesn't name East Fork, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Jemez Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

East Fork is a hard hike of about 18.6 miles on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail starts near Sierra de los Pinos, about 3 miles away, and rises from roughly 6,780 feet to about 8,560 feet, a climb of about 2,114 feet one way. Bikes are allowed on this natural-surface route. For timing, July is the warmest month, with typical highs around 74°F and lows near 45°F at the Los Alamos weather station 7 miles away. September is cooler, with highs around 66°F. Spence Hot Springs lies about 1.6 miles off, and the Jemez Falls Overlook Trail and Jemez Falls Campground are both about 2 miles away. Redondo campground is about 2.5 miles out.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit East Fork

    Best months: May–June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 9°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 12°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 20°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 25°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 32°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 39°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 45°

      15 wet

    8. Aug

      71° / 43°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 35°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 17°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 9°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Los Alamos 13 W, NM, 7.2 mi away at 8,716 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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