Santa Fe, NM: Gavilan Trail
A lung-burning 2,000-foot gain in 2.5 miles rewards with sweet ridgeline views of the Taos Mountains and Wheeler Peak. This dayhike runs 6.6 miles round-trip.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 5.3
Waypoints
GTT001
Location: 36.5935325622559, -105.484046936035
Trail traces NE over rocky strata
GTT002
Location: 36.5964508056641, -105.48161315918
Turn L @ unmarked junction onto a wider track; bear N on main trail to avoid dead ends
GTT003
Location: 36.5984916687012, -105.483177185059
Drop into ditch and skip over creek; super-steep climb ahead
GTT004
Location: 36.6055488586426, -105.489166259766
Small overlook: Highly eroded canyon walls on opposite side; creek roars below
GTT005
Location: 36.6085014343262, -105.488502502441
Trail exits thick conifers into a huge, grassy meadow spiked with yellow and purple flowers
GTT007
Location: 36.6153984069824, -105.493751525879
Marmots play hide-and-seek near huge trail cairns; stiff ascent
GTT008
Location: 36.6170654296875, -105.496353149414
Path moves up to col to a T-intersection; turn R onto Lobo Peak Trail for Gold Hill
GTT009
Location: 36.6177673339844, -105.495216369629
Run the back hillside briefly for an eyeful of green mountain valleys and straw-brown plains below; trail wraps back S for bluebird views of the Taos Mtns. and the gray, barren cirque of Wheeler Peak
GTT010
Location: 36.6192207336426, -105.485023498535
Midsummer snowpack hides from the intense sun; good turnaround point or continue 3+ mi. to 12,711-ft. Gold Hill
GTT006
Location: 36.612419128418, -105.490394592285
Last good water source before climb (treatment recommended)
