Saddleback
Photo: Michael Zanussi, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- 5.0 mi
- round trip
- 782 ft
- climb
- 8,564 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
- best months
Is Saddleback open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Santa Fe National Forest.
Road Conditions
Agency alert covering Santa Fe National Forest · USFS · Santa Fe National Forest
Headquarters Well Area Closure on Española Ranger District
Agency alert covering Espanola Ranger District · Order 03-10-06-25-17 · USFS · Espanola Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Santa Fe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Saddleback is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 5 miles on natural surface in the Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. The trail runs from a low point of 7,857 feet to a high of 8,564 feet, with an elevation gain of 782 feet one way, and it is managed by the Forest Service. Bikes are allowed. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Santa Fe Seton weather station, about 11 miles away at 7,000 feet, run from highs near 73°F in May to 66°F in October, while July and August bring the most wet days, around 11 each month. The trail is open from May 1 through October 15. The Galbaldon Trail is about 0.4 mile away and the Winsor Trail (254) about 0.7 mile. Black Canyon (New) Campground is about 1.6 miles off, and Big Tesuque is about 3.3 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Taos Mountain Outfitters49 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
Best time to visit Saddleback
Best months: April–June and August–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.
Jan
43° / 21°
5 wet
Feb
47° / 23°
5 wet
Mar
56° / 29°
5 wet
Apr
63° / 34°
4 wet
May
73° / 44°
4 wet
Jun
84° / 54°
6 wet
Jul
86° / 57°
11 wet
Aug
83° / 56°
11 wet
Sep
77° / 50°
7 wet
Oct
66° / 39°
6 wet
Nov
52° / 28°
5 wet
Dec
42° / 21°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santa Fe Seton, NM, 10.6 mi away at 7,000 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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