11 Southwest Highways
10 Hiking Trails for September Strolls
New Mexico
Cloud-Climbing Rail Trail Cloudcroft
This trail follows the route of the old Alamogordo & Sacramento Mountain Railway, which was abandoned in 1947. This is a very nice hike that winds through the Sacramento Mountains and leads to an old trestle bridge over the canyon. 5 miles round trip trailhead is just west of town at the end of Little Mexican Road.
1.5 Hours from Las Cruces, 3.5 hours from Albuquerque.
Wheeler Peak-Bull of the Woods Trail
Carson National Forest
This trail climbs the Sangre de Christo mountains up to Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico. You can do a long day hike on thiis trail, but I prefer an overnight excursion; there are several nice places to camp along this trail. There are plenty of picture-perfect vistas, and the view fom Wheeler Peak is amazing. 15 miles round trip Park at the Twining Campground in Taos Ski Valley. Signs point to trails.
30 Minutes from Taos, 2 hours from Santa Fe, 2.75 hours from Albuquerque.
El Calderon Trail El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais is known for geology. Lava flows, volcanic rock, and volcano cones make up the landscape here. El Calderon trail takes you past lava tubes, a double sink hole, a bat cave made of lava, a lava trench and El Calderon Cinder Cone. The unique volcanic landcape makes for a really cool hike.
3 mile loop.
El Calderon trailhead is on State Highway 53, 18 miles south of Grants. nps.gov/elma.
1 hour from Gallup, 1.5 hours from Albuquerque, 2.25 hours from Socorro.