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Hike Routes and Descriptions

Spontaneous
Valle Grande Hike - Free
Coyote Call Hike - Free
La Jara Hike
South Mountain Hike

Reservation Preferred
*NEW* Hiking Shuttle System
Redondito Hike
Jaramillo Hike
Cerros del Abrigo Hike
La Garita Hike
Rito de los Indios Hike
Redondo Canyon Overlook (Mirror Lake) Hike
Redondo Border Hike
Alamo Canyon Hike
San Antonio Mountain Hike
Cerro Seco Hike

Valle Grande Hike

• This hike begins off State Highway 4 near mile marker 43. The trailhead is opposite the parking area. Please use caution crossing the road. This trail winds through the forest and opens onto the southeast corner of the Valle Grande. Approach the Valle Grande quietly and you may see an elk herd up close. The trail offers a unique opportunity to hike into the quiet end of the Valle.

  Level of Difficulty: Easy
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 450 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 2 miles
  Cost: No charge
  Dates and Times: Daylight hours year round except when closed for resource protection
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
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Coyote Call Hike

• This hike begins off State Highway 4 near mile marker 41. The trailhead is at the parking area. The trail parallels Highway 4 offering spectacular views across the Valle Grande to the north rim of the caldera. A wonderfully scenic hike!

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 250 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 3.5 mile loop
  Cost: No charge
  Dates and Times: Daylight hours year round except when closed for resource protection
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
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La Jara Hike

• This self-interpretive hike begins at the Valle Grande Staging Area. From the staging area, the trail begins near a prairie dog town and traverses through the open grassy meadow of the Valle Grande around the base of La Jara. This is a great short hike that gives you a 360-degree view of the Valle Grande.

  Level of Difficulty: Easy
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 50 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles
  Cost: $5/person (no discounts for seniors or youth 6-15 years); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Available Dates: Available 7-days a week when the Preserve is open. Exception may be during special events. Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
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South Mountain Hike

• This hike has two beginning points depending on the day of the week. On Mondays through Thursdays the hike begins at the Valle Grande Staging Area. From the staging area, the trail travels along the VC01 and VC02 roads through the southwestern edge of the Valle Grande. As hikers begin their ascent up South Mountain, they have a myriad of trail choices. South Mountain is an “out and back” hike since there are no loop options at this time. On Fridays through Sundays, the hiking shuttle is available and will save you approximately 2 miles of hiking on the road.

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,000 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 8 miles
  Cost: Mondays-Thursdays $5/person Mon-Thurs (no discounts for seniors or youth 6-15 years); Free for youths 0-5 yrs. Hikers can pay an additional $5/person if they wish to be transported to/from the intersection of VC01 and VC02. Fridays-Sundays (fee includes shuttle service) $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the North Rim Shuttle on Fridays-Sundays only.
  Available Dates: Available 7-days a week when the Preserve is open. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Mon-Thurs Map
  (trail begins at Valle Grande staging area)
  View Fri-Sun Map
  (trail begins at North Rim shuttle stop 1)
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*NEW* Hiking Shuttle System

• To offer more flexibility for hiking on the Preserve, we are experimenting with hiking shuttles. The shuttles will offer a greater variety of start times and trail choices. The North Rim Hiking Shuttle, which operates out of the Valle Grande staging area, gives you access to six different trails. The Alamo Hiking Shuttle, which operates out of the Banco Bonito staging area, gives you access to seven different trails.
  
  Shuttle reservations are not required; however, if you wish to guarantee your seat on a particular shuttle, you should make a reservation. You may also sign up at the staging area any day the shuttles are operating. Please check the web calendar for dates. Please note individuals with reservations have priority seating, and walk-ins will be accommodated if there is room in the shuttle van at that departure time.

  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); free for youths 0-5 yrs
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Redondito Hike

• This out and back hike travels along the Preserve’s road VC0301 and offers some exceptional views of the north rim and northern valleys. The trails skirts just below the rise known as Redondito. (For safety and administrative reasons access to the top of Redondito is prohibited.)

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,300 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 8 miles one way; (The distance could be more or less depending on where you turn around.)
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the North Rim Shuttle or via the Alamo Shuttle (Please note that there is no shuttle service between the two staging areas.)
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Jaramillo Hike

• This out and back hike travels along the Preserve’s road VC03 and offers some exceptional views throughout Jaramillo Valley.

  Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (depending on which shuttle you take and where you turn around)
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 800 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 6 miles, one way (distance could be more or less depending on where you turn around)
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the North Rim Shuttle or via the Alamo Shuttle (Please note that there is no shuttle service between the two staging areas.)
  Available Dates: Not available in May-June for administrative purposes. Available in July-August, most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Cerros del Abrigo Hike

• This looped hike circumnavigates Cerros del Abrigo, an eruptive dome located in the center of the Preserve. On this trail, you will discover scenic views of the Valle Grande, Valle Jaramillo, Valle Toledo and the Valle San Antonio.

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 700 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 7 miles
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the North Rim Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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La Garita Hike

• This out and back steep trail takes you along an old logging road to the north boundary of the Preserve at the rim of the caldera. The views from the top of this trail make the climb well worth the effort. Enjoy the feeling that you are at the top of the world.

  Level of Difficulty: Difficult
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,800 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 7.5 miles
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the North Rim Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Rito de los Indios Hike

• This out and back trail takes you along a stream, Rito de los Indios, on an old logging road to the north boundary of the Preserve at the rim of the caldera. Travel back in time as you discover an old cabin. (For safety and administrative reasons, access into the cabin is prohibited.)

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 900 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 8 miles
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the North Rim Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Redondo Canyon Overlook (Mirror Lake) Hike

• This out and back trail takes you on an easy meander that ends at Mirror Lake—a perfect spot for a picnic.

  Level of Difficulty: Easy
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 200 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 3.25 miles
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the Alamo Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Redondo Border Hike

• This out and back trail takes you up the ridge on Redondo Border with breath taking glimpses of San Diego Canyon.

  Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 320 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 6.5 miles
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the Alamo Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Alamo Canyon Hike

• This trail begins and ends at two different stops along the Alamo Shuttle route, so you can travel one-way or out and back. Along this route you will travel alongside wetlands called fens and through aspen stands, which light up in the fall with their golden leaves.

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,000 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 3 miles one way.
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the Alamo Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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San Antonio Mountain Hike

• This out and back trail takes you up San Antonio Mountain to the western edge of the Preserve. You will wander in and out of tall pines and aspens on an old two-track logging road. Enjoy the solitude and the feeling that you are far, far away from civilization.

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,000 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 7 miles
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the Alamo Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Cerro Seco Hike

• The Cerro Seco looped trail offers gorgeous views of the Valle San Antonio. You will wander in and out of tall pines and aspens on an old two-track logging road. Enjoy the solitude and the feeling that you are far, far away from civilization.

  Level of Difficulty: Moderate
  Elevation Gain: Approximately 750 ft.
  Distance: Approximately 7 miles
  Cost: $10 /adult; $8/ senior (62 yrs and over); $5/ youth (6-15 yrs); Free for youths 0-5 yrs
  Shuttle Service: via the Alamo Shuttle
  Available Dates: Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Exception may be during special events and the hunting season (September to October). Please check the web calendar for dates.
  Please note that only service animals are allowed on the trails: no pets.
  View Map
  Available Dates
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Photography by Don J. Usner