Contact Info
1710 N. Riverside Drive
Española, NM 87532
- Phone:
- 505-753-7331
Basics
- Length:
- 7 miles
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Time:
- 6 - 7 hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 7200 feet
- Elevation Range:
- 7200 feet to 10300 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 3100 feet
- Usage:
- Moderate
- Season:
- Spring to Fall
Description
Leaving the parking area, you walk up the canyon on the dirt road, and watch for the trail to leave the road to your right. In a quarter mile the trail descends to the canyon floor and makes the first of numerous stream crossings. Soon the trail enters a mixed conifer forest. You may find parallel trails on both sides of the river in some places, but as long as they continue upstream, they will all eventually come together again.
After about 2 miles, there is a short detour to your left that brings you to the bottom of a decent waterfall. Staying on the main trail brings you to the top of this waterfall after a short steep climb, and you continue ascending up the canyon passing several cascades, shallow pools, and soon you will reach the end of Forest Road 412 and the Aspen Ranch Trailhead 9. The Rio en Medio Trail continues behind the trailhead information sign and crosses an acequia, then follows the stream all the way up to the Aspen Basin Trailhead 10 near the ski area.
Tour Companies
Outspire Hiking and Snowshoeing
- Santa Fe Area
- Snowshoeing, Hiking
- 505-660-0394
From alpine to desert, Outspire guides enrich your experience by giving context to your hike. So that your destination is not only what you see, but a sense of where the area fits in New Mexico's history, geology and natural world. Our hiking guides are experienced, enthusiastic, and motivated to share the joy of being outside! Day hikes and winter snowshoe outings are planned to suit your interests and fitness.Helpful Links
Tour Companies
Outspire Hiking and Snowshoeing
- Santa Fe Area
- Snowshoeing, Hiking
- 505-660-0394
Details
Length:
Difficulty:
Time:
Trailhead Elevation:
Elevation Range:
Elevation Change:
Usage:
Season:
Useful Map(s):
Additional Details:
The beginning of the trail crosses private property- please respect private lands, and stay on the established trail.
Be careful not to block the road if the parking lot is full- you may get towed.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
This trail is accessible by passenger vehicle at either the western terminus near the village of En Medio, the eastern terminus at Aspen Basin Trailhead #10 adjacent to the Santa Fe Ski Area, or near the middle of the trail at the Aspen Ranch Trailhead 9. However, parking at En Medio is very limited. Parking is plentiful at the Ski Area, at the end of the Hyde Park Road (State Route 475), and also at the Aspen Ranch Trailhead, which is reached by taking Forest Road 102 (Pacheco Canyon Road) to Forest Road 412, and following FR 412 to the trailhead just before a locked gate on the road.
To find Trail 163 from the Aspen Basin Trailhead 10 at the Santa Fe Ski Area, cross the small bridge to the north bank of the Rio en Medio from the trailhead at the lower end of the parking lot and turn left, following the Rio en Medio downstream. To find Trail 163 from the village of En Medio, take NM 590 until it turns into County Road 78-B which will end at a very small parking area with a Forest Service trailhead information sign.
