Albuquerque, NM: Vacas Trail
Water is abundant here, compared to the arid high desert below. This 15.2-miler links fish-filled creeks with the forested hills of San Pedro Parks Wilderness.
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Wilderness is highlighted by meadows that open up around every corner. It’s a kid-friendly route with plenty of places to stop and camp near water. Start from the Vacas Trailhead at 9,300 feet; within the first 2 miles, you’ll hit the San Gregorio Reservoir and the Vallecito Damian, a large meadow with a seasonal creek. If your kids are a little older, continue 4 miles to the Anastacio Trail junction, passing wildflower meadows and several more creeks with small, native trout. At about mile 8, head northwest on the Continental Divide Trail toward San Pedro Parks, but bring water—it’s dry. Camp in aspen and spruce groves, listening for coyotes and elk as the sun sets over a canvas of tulip gentians, bushy cinquefoil, and native grasses.
Text provided by New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors: www.nmvfo.org
-Mapped by Bill Velasquez
Trail Facts
- Distance: 12.2
Waypoints
VCT001
Location: 36.02726, -106.846901
Follow Vacas Trail, a well-traveled path winding to the NE; in .1 mi., enter San Pedro Parks Wilderness
VCT002
Location: 36.038952, -106.846397
Path skirts San Gregorio Reservoir’s E bank; anglers fish for cutthroat and rainbows
VCT003
Location: 36.04755, -106.839798
Cross small creek. Skirt edge of Vallecito Damian, a large, lush meadow, then follow a path along the grassy (and sometimes marshy) banks of the Clear Creek
VCT004
Location: 36.064091, -106.845901
Continue straight @ 4-way with Anastacio Trail
VCT005
Location: 36.0765, -106.829697
Traverse a small saddle
VCT006
Location: 36.081169, -106.824997
Cross Rio de las Vacas; turn L @ T where Palomas Trail enters from R
VCT007
Location: 36.084992, -106.824699
Grab lunch on boulders overlooking rolling hills. In 150 ft., stay straight @ T with Anastacio Trail; wander NE along Rio de las Vacas, home to native Rio Grande cutthroat trout
VCT008
Location: 36.09964, -106.821098
Continue N along grassy hillsides. *Camping*: In .6 mi., look for sites on L tucked under aspen and pine; lucky campers will hear bugling elk and yipping coyotes
VCT009
Location: 36.108151, -106.823799
Trail intersects Continental Divide Trail at marked 4-way; retrace steps back. Side trip: Bear L; head 1 mi. NW on CDT to San Pedro Park, a meadow enclosed by thick spruce
San Pedro Parks Sign
Location: 36.027896, -106.846418
©Bill Velasquez
San Gregorio Reservoir
Location: 36.03803, -106.84629
©Bill Velasquez
San Gregorio Reservoir
Location: 36.038793, -106.84629
©Bill Velasquez
Anastacio Trail Sign
Location: 36.041257, -106.845903
©Bill Velasquez
Burnt FS Cabin
Location: 36.055552, -106.847577
©Bill Velasquez
Continental Divide Trail
Location: 36.063879, -106.845989
The CDT as it enters San Pedro Parks. Note the cows in the background. ©Bill Velasquez
Palomas Trail Sign
Location: 36.071198, -106.83805
©Bill Velasquez
Forested Trail
Location: 36.072239, -106.836977
©Bill Velasquez
Looking North
Location: 36.075222, -106.831183
©Bill Velasquez
San Pedro Parks Proper
Location: 36.084552, -106.824703
©Bill Velasquez
