New Mexico · Hiking

Old Mitchell Trail

0.7 mi
distance
137 ft
climb
7,868 ft
high point
Lollipop
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Old Mitchell Trail 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.

Old Mitchell Trail is a short, easy loop in the Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is 0.69 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 137 feet, and it rises from about 7,597 feet to about 7,868 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Los Alamos show May highs around 70°F and October highs around 63°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 13 to 14 a month. The trail sits among several other routes and climbing areas. Natural Arch Trail is just 0.1 mile away, and the Mitchell Trail Area and Clifty climbing areas are each about 0.3 mile off. La Mountain Trail is about 0.4 mile away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Old Mitchell Trail

    Best months: April–June and September–October. 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

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      45° / 24°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      53° / 30°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      61° / 35°

      6 wet

    5. May

      70° / 44°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 53°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 57°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 55°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 49°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 38°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Los Alamos, NM, 3.2 mi away at 7,424 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors