New Mexico · Hiking

Mitchell

4.9 mi
round trip
1,390 ft
climb
8,838 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Mitchell 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.

Mitchell is a moderate hike of about 4.9 miles in the Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 1,390 feet, starting at roughly 7,480 feet and reaching about 8,838 feet at the high point. The route is on natural surface, and bikes are allowed. The trail is close to several other routes, so it works well as a longer outing. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Los Alamos show July highs around 74°F with lows near 45°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. The Perimeter Trail and the Mitchell Trail (69) both lie within a quarter mile. The Mitchell Trail Area and Clifty, a climbing area, are about 0.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Mitchell

    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, 11.4 mi away at 8,716 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.