Filed under: Family Day Trips, Nature & Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation & Hiking, Uncategorized

Reaching the Top of Devisadero Peak

You may recall in my last post Terry, Meghan and I had decided to hike to the top of Devisadero Peak near Taos, NM. At the end of the last post, we had rounded a corner and  encountered a very steep incline. Meghan intially refused to go on. We hiked on a few steps further, with me taking the lead for a bit, and were relieved to find that the trail curved around the peak, via switchbacks, so it did not, in fact, negotiate the steep climb. Nonetheless, we were working hard and sweating a bit as we navigated the trail.

At this point, the trail became confusing. Signs pointed in two directions, forward and to the right. We chose the forward option and were rewarded with a dead end. However, as we were near the top  we milled about and took pictures of the scenery for awhile. We later learned that the trail to the right was the closest, and steepest, route to Devisadero Peak, while the forward route was the longer version.

We found we were able to see the entire  greater Taos area from our vantage point. Also visible were incredible views of further peaks, more of the Sangre de Cristo (aka ‘Blood of Christ”) Range of the Rocky Mountains. Thrilled with the views, we lingered awhile, then eventually ventured down. I later learned that Devisadero means a “place where you can see or watch something.” I would call that an apt description of our vantage point. We took the time to explore the flora and fauna of the area, very different from in town as it is at a much higher elevation.

Even Terry’s mood seemed to improve as we hiked back down. It had only taken us 55 minutes to complete the hike, 30” for the climb and a bit faster on the way down, but it was a very pleasant way to spend our last afternoon in Taos. We later learned that the trail climbs in elevation from 7,200 to 8,300 feet. No wonder we were sweating and taking off our sweatshirts even though it was only March!

We also learned that the views we were treated to were of Taos Mountain and Wheeler Peak ridge. Wheeler is the highest peak in New Mexico and had been the subject of one of our first long  hikes as a family. Of course, it did not help that we got lost on the way down and hiked several miles more than the prescribed eight mile trail! On this day, however, we simply enjoyed views of beautiful Wheeler Peak from afar. Still a good time and a good workout was had by all.

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Last 5 posts by Diane Berry

• Another Winter Family Adventure - February 10th, 2013
• A Winter Family Adventure! - February 3rd, 2013
• The Forest in Winter - January 27th, 2013
• A Lookout in Winter - January 20th, 2013
• Picuris Peak 2: The Royal Road! - January 13th, 2013