Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the trail in winter?

Short answer: No. Attempting the trail in winter endangers yourself and the Search & Rescue teams that will have to go get you. Beyond the risk, it also likely to be a pretty miserable experience.

Longer answer: Although we have not gotten as much snow as usual this year, the route is still not suited to winter treks. The SF2T thru-hike goes through areas that typically get over 150 inches of snow every winter, and often as much as 250 inches. Because of the altitude (8,000-12,000 feet), that snow does not melt until late May. There will be large sections of snow on or near the trail until early to mid June. 

Attempting to do the thru-hike in winter (December, January, February), or even potentially late spring (March, April, May) would not only endanger you, but it could also be life-threatening for the search and rescue teams that may have to go in after you once you’re stuck in hip-deep (or higher) crusty snow.

A few years ago a group of hikers from Georgia headed into the Pecos in June, got stuck, and had to be brought out by a Search & Rescue Team. Even this last week (February 2026), a hiker on Aspen Vista – an easy, frequently-traveled trail near the Santa Fe Ski Basin – got stuck in the snow and had to be rescued by the fire department. The snow in most sections of the thru-hike will be considerably deeper than it is on Aspen Vista now. If you get in trouble, it could be days before a Search & Rescue Team reaches you.

Certain sections of the trail, like the switchbacks on the north side of the Santa Barbara Divide, are likely to be impassable even after most of the snow has melted. You may end up having to crawl down those switchbacks due to ice, and given how steep the switchbacks are, you may need an ice axe to self-arrest should you slip.

So far, no one has died doing the Santa Fe to Taos Trail. Please don’t be the first.

Around April, we will update you on trail conditions based on what we are seeing. Many local hikers will start at certain trailheads and just hike in as far as they can go. We also recommend you subscribe to the SF2T newsletter, as that has regular updates about trail conditions.

When is the best time to do the Santa Fe to Taos Trail?

Short answer: The season to do the thru-hike is between June 1 and October 15th.

Longer answer: The “best” time of year to go depends on what you like.

• Do you want to avoid rain as much as possible? Then June might be good for you (though we’ll still be in fire season).
• Do you want to go in the middle of summer, and you don’t mind (or maybe even like) a few thunderstorms and some rain? Then July and August will be good.
• Do you like seeing lots of people on a trail? Then June, July, and August would be good for you.
• Don’t want to see as many people on the trail? September and October are your best bet. Maybe even early November if you’ve got the gear for that. It usually snows at least once in September in the high country. By mid September, expect to wake up to frost on your tent. By October, expect to wake up to frost in your tent.

How long does it take to do?

Short answer: It depends how fast you go.

Longer answer: If you can do ten miles a day, it takes two weeks. If you can do 20 miles a day, it takes a week.

If you want to slow down and savor the experience and do, say, seven miles a day, then it could take three weeks. The Fastest Known Time record is about 2.5 days.

Distance isn’t the only thing you should be thinking about, though. There is a LOT of ascent and descent on this route: 35,000 feet of ascent and descent between the plazas, regardless of which way you go. (Both plazas are at 7,000 feet.) So you might go “just” 10 miles one day, but also climb 4,000 feet. And you’ll do that climbing between 7,000 and 12,000 feet elevation.

It is *highly* recommended to give yourself a day or three to adjust to the altitude. Many hikers – even locals from Albuquerque – feel the impact of the altitude. Occasionally people have to be taken off trail for medical support because of it.

How much water is along the route?

Short answer: There is about 5x more water on the route than most people expect.

Longer answer: The longest distance without water is 8.4 miles between American Spring and El Nogal as you come down Ojitos Trail into Taos. The second longest distance is 5.1 miles in Section 5. For the rest of the route, you’ll be near a water source most of the time. Most hikers don’t need to carry more than a liter or so most of the time. Unless you’re dry camping, you aren’t ever going to need to carry more than two liters at a time.

The route passes 13 lakes and ponds. More than 25% of it is within a few hundred feet of creeks, rivers, streams and “rills” (which are tiny streams about 2 feet wide or so). The route was expressly designed for maximum water access. Even as climate change advances and New Mexico loses about 30% of its surface water, water access along the route should still be workable.

We know you hear “New Mexico” and think desert. The high country in northern New Mexico that the SF2T trail goes through is not desert. It is more like Colorado.

Where are the resupply points?

Short answer:

1. Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort (approx two-thirds of the way to Taos). Ship a box to yourself for free.
2. The members’ resupply in Tres Ritos (approx two-thirds of the way to Taos). *ONLY* available to SF2T members. Find out more about membership here.
3. Vida Bonita, which is a lodge about one mile from Panchuela Campground (approx one-third of the way to Taos). Ship a box to yourself if you stay overnight at Vida Bonita.

Longer answer: Resupply points along the route are not as developed as they could be yet, but they’re coming along rapidly. There are other possibilities for resupply, but we are cautious about sharing them publicly, because the people who offer these case-by-case favors are likely to get overwhelmed by the number of people expected to do the trail in 2026.

Stay tuned… we are actively pursuing partnerships that can handle several hundred people a year requesting box management.

When is the second edition of the guidebook coming out?

Short answer: In late April 2026.

Longer answer: If you are a SF2T member, part of your membership includes the most current edition of all materials. So if you buy the guidebook now, or if you become a member now, you will get the second edition for free when it comes out.

Where is overnight parking in Santa Fe?

Short answer: Your best option for “long-term” (one to two weeks) overnight parking in Santa Fe is the Santa Fe airport. Take an Uber or a bus from the airport to the plaza. Your second best option is the Scottish Rite Temple.

Longer answer: You have to get prior permission to park at the Scottish Rite Temple, and it costs about $6 per night. They also have blackout dates for overnight parking when they have their own large events, so hopefully your trip dates don’t overlap with any of their blackout dates.

SF2T members have access to 10 secure parking spaces about one mile from the Santa Fe Plaza. We don’t publicly share the location of this parking lot because the managers don’t want to deal with people who just show up and put their cars in the lot. You need to be a SF2T member, and you need to have reserved your spot in advance. We distribute parking “passes”/printed tokens. Without one of those, your car will be towed.

Parking is clearly an issue. You can also park at the Albuquerque airport and take an Uber up to Santa Fe. The Sandia shuttle that used to run between the airport and Santa Fe is, most unfortunately, no longer operating.

Where can I park overnight in Taos?

Short answer: Almost nowhere.

Longer (more serious) answer: Parking “longterm” overnight in Taos is a problem. There is a “secret” case-by-case place to park, but I have been asked to not publicly share it. The people who manage that particular lot would be displeased if they started getting a lot of inquiries. I *greatly* appreciate these kind people, so I can’t say any more.

I am actively seeking an overnight parking situation in Taos. I think there should be good news soon. For the moment your best bet is to find lodging that might also let you keep your car there.

Who is this trail for?

SF2T was created for New Mexicans. Out of staters are certainly welcome, but SF2Ts’ programs, design, and development are focused on the needs and interests of New Mexicans, especially those who live near the route.

SF2T was created for solitude seekers. If you are looking to meet lots of people and travel in groups, this isn’t the trail for you.

Looking at a map of SF2T, you may notice a lot of “alternate” or secondary routes. These were added expressly to spread people out and to reduce the impacts on the trail and the lands it goes through. There are, fortunately, dozens of ways to get from Santa Fe to Taos – or from Taos to Santa Fe. I will continue to add alternate trails, in part because I try to avoid concentrations of people.

SF2T was created for people who want to slow down and reconnect with themselves, with nature, and perhaps with the source that nature reflects; that nature and our own existence springs from. Rushing through the route is not encouraged.

The trail is meant to be approached more as pilgrimage than thru-hike, which is why the name was recently changed from “The Santa Fe to Taos Thru-Hike” to “The Santa Fe to Taos Trail’.

Is SF2T on FarOut yet?

Short answer: No, SF2T is not on FarOut. I do not want it on FarOut.

Longer answer: Several people with experience managing long-distance trails have told me that it’s when a trail gets documented on FarOut that the crowds start to show up. I have been concerned about overuse along SF2T since the projects’ inception. That concern persists. So I do not want the route on FarOut.

I have also been advised that FarOut and other route documenters do not like it when the route of a trail changes. The considerable changes I have made for the 2026 route, then, inadvertently made it less likely that FarOut will publish the route. This is good.

It would also be good for SF2T to avoid major visibility for at least the next few years, and, perhaps, forever. Staying “below the radar” preserves the experience of the trail for people who seek solitude and contemplation. It will help to minimize and manage impacts to the areas the route runs through, especially the alpine lakes. It is also a widely-held position of many who live in northern New Mexico, especially those who live along or near the route.

Is SF2T for mountain bikes?

Short answer: No, SF2T is not for mountain bikes.

Longer answer: The SF2T Trail goes through the Pecos Wilderness. By law, bikes are not allowed in the Pecos Wilderness. Anyone who ignores that law is subject to a $2,000 fine and having their bike confiscated. They may also risk an “assertive” response from any hikers, equestrians, fishers, or hunters they come across. Some of those people may assist the authorities in identifying the mountain biker/s and documenting the incident.

The route is also not suited to bikes because of how steep it is. Covering even 15 miles a day of the route means you would be doing 3,500-6,000 feet of ascent per day. You would be doing those climbs mostly above 9,000 feet of elevation. You would also run into blowdown, and more of it than mountain bikers are used to. Hikers can easily swing a leg over a fallen tree or a series of fallen trees. Mountain bikes have a harder time. Some pedestrian users of the trail are actually okay with a certain amount of blowdown, simply because it keeps wheels off the trail.

Some parts of the SF2T also go through narrow trails with dense growth. The trails near Camino Pequeno and next to the river along the Santa Fe River Park, for example, have extremely limited visibility in some spots, and for several longer stretches. There are also narrow (as in 8 inches wide) “bridges” that cross the Santa Fe “river” multiple times through the Camino Pequeno/Santa Fe river corridor area. This area was designed and is meant to be preserved as a wildlife corridor, and wildlife do use it. It is not suited for bikes. You are inviting conflict by attempting to ride a bike through those sections of trail.

The SF2T keenly wishes to be “bike-free”. Other long-distance trails – the AT, The Lone Star Trail – are bike-free. Being bike-free isn’t possible for some of the route right now, but we hope to get there.

Many users of the SF2T trail have had recurring problems with mountain bikers. There is considerable and ongoing conflict between hikers and mountain bikers on Winsor Trail, including incidents of fist fights nearly breaking out and children nearly being run over. In our experience, only about one out of every 15 mountain bikers actually follows the rule of giving hikers right of way.

Consensus is that, ideally, it is better for everyone if bikes have their own trails. Clearly, that’s not always possible. But as more and more bike parks develop, and more and more trails designed for mountain bikes are built, separating pedestrians and bikes is becoming more feasible.

Mountain bikes diminish the experience for hikers, especially those who want to slow down and connect with nature (which is the point of the SF2T Trail). And hikers diminish the experience for mountain bikers. There are extensive mountain bike trail systems and mountain bike parks in northern New Mexico. We encourage mountain bikers to use those resources and have a great time, unimpeded by pedestrians.

This statement from the American Hiking Society (linked to in the paragraph above) supports the SF2T Trail’s position on bikes:

“As hikers, we believe that mountain bikers should have plenty of places where they may enjoy their sport (many of us mountain bike too), but it’s also important to preserve the National Scenic Trails where we can still enjoy a hike without the fear of a high speed bicycle coming around a corner.  For countless hikers these bike-free trail sections are an oasis – a place where as a hiker you can connect with nature at a slower pace. American Hiking believes there must continue to be room in the national trails system for trails where hikers can enjoy just such an experience and we believe it is critical to protect this for you and for future generations.”

Can I use a hammock?

Yes, you can use a hammock on SF2T. There are plenty of trees at the all of the established campsites for hammocks. I haven’t been using a hammock up until now because I’d rather be in a tent if the weather kicks up, but apparently hammocks are more aligned with Leave No Trace principles than tents, so I’m going to try one out this year.

Can equestrians do the SF2T Trail?

They can, but they have to take the alternate route to Spirit Lake instead of going up to Lake Katherine, which is off-limits to equestrians.

There is also the issue of the Santa Barbara Divide. This is open to equestrians, but most of the I’ve spoken to advise *extreme* caution in taking a horse over the Santa Barbara Divide. Many of them wouldn’t do it and couldn’t endorse it unless the person attempting those switchbacks was an advanced rider. Burros and donkeys and llamas and alpacas will have an easier time. It’s not a section you want to rush or attempt if you’re tired or in bad weather. Fortunately, there are campsites close to either side of the Divide (at No Fish Lake on the north side and at an open space right about where the intersection of the “unmaintained trail”/shortcut and Skyline Trail intersect).

There is also a spot along West Fork Trail, coming down (or going up) towards the SB Divide that might cause a problem for horses. I haven’t actually walked this section of trail in two years, so I’m not sure the state of it, but the last time I went through it was bad enough that I wouldn’t ask a horse to try to negotiate it, but a burro or a donkey could probably handle it.

You could bring horses or pack animals down Middle Fork Trail. You’ll be on the ridgeline a little longer, and have a longer stretch without water while you’re up there, but once you come down into the forest there will be multiple water sources. The problem with Middle Fork is the blowdown. It is bad – not just a downed tree across the trail now and then, but big-as-a-truck piles of blowdown. These can be walked around, but it will be slow going if you’re on a horse.

I am coordinating with several backcountry equine experts about issues that horses and other pack animals might encounter along the route. Stay tuned.

Is the Santa Fe to Taos Trail part of the Rio Grande Trail?

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: The Santa Fe to Taos Trail is an independently developed route with its own stewardship vision, community, and conservation framework.

The Rio Grande Trail is a separate proposed multi-use trail project that is currently evaluating possible alignments between Santa Fe and Taos. Some of those alignment options include overlap with portions of the SF2T route.

SF2T has communicated that incorporating its alignment into the Rio Grande Trail is not considered appropriate. The SF2T was designed around a specific stewardship model intended to create champions for wilderness and nature. Incorporating it into a broader multi-use corridor could affect ecological capacity, user compatibility, and the long-term character of the trail.

SF2T supports thoughtful route planning that protects sensitive landscapes and minimizes user conflict. An alignment approach that avoids overlap with key SF2T sections — such as Winsor and Camino Pequeno — would better preserve both projects’ intended purposes.

This page will be updated as the Rio Grande Trail alignment process develops.