New Mexico · Hiking

Upper Walnut Trail

0.2 mi
distance
61 ft
climb
7,519 ft
high point
Lollipop
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Upper Walnut 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.

Upper Walnut Trail is a short, easy hike in the Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. The trail is just 0.16 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 61 feet, so it makes a quick stop for anyone already exploring the surrounding area. The route starts at a low point of 7,443 feet and climbs to a high of 7,519 feet. It is an easy walk that can be done in about half an hour, and it pairs well with other trails and climbing areas close by. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from the nearby Los Alamos weather station show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 74°F, while July and August bring the most wet days of the year. Several other trails sit within a short distance, including Mitchell and the Perimeter Trail, both about 0.2 miles away. Climbers can find the Mitchell Trail Area and Clifty, each about half a mile off.

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

    Best time to visit Upper Walnut 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, 2.6 mi away at 7,424 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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