New Mexico · Hiking · Near Santo Domingo Pueblo

Perimeter South

0.8 mi
round trip
147 ft
climb
7,726 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Perimeter South is an easy out-and-back hike in New Mexico, on land managed by the Department of Energy. The route is short, about 1.6 miles long, and it rises roughly 147 feet from a low point of 7,573 feet to a high of 7,726 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Los Alamos weather station, about 2.4 miles away, show May highs around 70°F and October highs around 63°F, while July and August bring the most wet days and the warmest highs near 80°F. The hike starts close to several other trails. Perimeter Traverse is just 0.2 miles away, and American Springs (North) and Valle are each about 0.4 miles off. Climbers can head to the Cañon de Valle Boulders, about 0.7 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Ponderosa Reservation Group Campground

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Nov 6 on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Sirphey at Bandelier Restaurant

    Fast food

    On your way back · 7 mi
  • If it rainsNewMexicophotographer1, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    El Rancho de las Golondrinas

    Museum

    Museum · 23 mi from Santo Domingo Pueblo

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: NewMexicophotographer1, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Santo Domingo Pueblo

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

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

    Best time to visit Perimeter South

    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, 2.4 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