New Mexico · Hiking

Geist's Gap

0.8 mi
round trip
239 ft
climb
8,834 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Geist's Gap open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Santa Fe National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Santa Fe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Geist's Gap is an easy hike in the Espanola Ranger District of Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back route about 1.7 miles long, with a one-way climb of about 240 feet from a low point at 8,546 feet to a high of 8,834 feet. The most comfortable months for a visit are late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 62°F in May to about 74°F in July, with September easing back to around 66°F. Pajarito Nail and Camp May Road Trail both lie about 0.1 mile away. The Los Alamos Canyon Trail is roughly 0.6 mile off. Climbers can find 45° Boulder about a mile away.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Geist's Gap

    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, 8.9 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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