Palomas

Palomas is a 5.5-mile out-and-back hike in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness, part of the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. The trail rises from about 9,692 feet to about 10,178 feet, a climb of 554 feet, and is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surface and allows horses, but not bikes. The open season runs from June 1 to December 1, so plan around that window. 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, though that station sits roughly 1,460 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Perchas and the Palomas Trail (50) both lie within a mile. Rio De Las Vacas Campground is about 3.7 miles away, and Upper Clear Creek is about 2.7 miles off.