SAN PEDRO PARKS

Combination Backpack (11 mi.) and Hike (8 or 11 mi.)

Description A three-day backpack in a mountainous area characterized by parks and relatively gentle terrain where map and compass skill are essential and fishing is great. Establish your base camp the first day and then chose between two day hikes for the second day; a backpack to the starting point takes place on the third day.

Difficulty Easy

Comments San Perdo Parks offers beautiful high-country hiking in a setting that features gentle, rolling topography characterized by large grassy parks and wet meadows separated by stands of spruce and mixed confers. Because of the absence of high mountain peaks, the area experiences a high number of lost hikers; map and compass skills are essential in this area. The above trail description assumes that you will camp near the intersection of trails 51 and 435. However, you can camp anywhere along the trails. The Rio de Las Vacas is a very popular area so you may want to find a campsite other than at this trail intersection. Be prepared for snow in April and May.

To Earn
Feather Backpack into the Wilderness along Trail 51 to a base camp. On the second day, hike one of the two loop trails. On the third day, return via Trail 51 to the starting point.

Maps Forest Service -- San Pedro Parks Wilderness; USGS -- Nacimiento Peak

Trail Starting at the parking area to San Gregorio Reservoir: Trail 51 (5.6 mi.) -> Base camp. Rio Puerco Loop: Starting at intersection of trails 51 and 435, Trail 435 (2.6 mi.) -> Trail 46 (2.6 mi.) -> Trail 51 (3.3 mi.) -> Base Camp. Penas Negras Loop: Starting at intersection of trails 51 and 435, Trail 51 (0.4 mi.) -> Trail 50 (2.4 mi.) -> Trail 418 (2.3 mi.) -> Trail 32 (2.5 mi.) -> Trail 385 (0.1 mi.) -> Trail 32 (0.6 mi.) -> Trail 51 (2.4 mi.). Return: Trail 51 (5.6 mi.) -> Parking area. (See map)

Elevation
Profile

Transportation
Requirements State Road 126 can be reached from State Road 44 north of Cuba, NM or from State Road 4 at La Cueva, NM (between Jemez Springs and Los Alamos). Turn north on Forest Road 264 and drive approximately 2 miles to the parking area. Locked cars can be left at the parking area.

VEREDAS DE LAS MONTANAS SERIES
(Trails of the Mountains)

LODGE 66 TRAILS PROGRAM

EXIT TRAILS

Last updated: November 11, 1998

Description	A three-day backpack in a mountainous area characterized by parks and relatively gentle terrain where map and compass skill are essential and fishing is great. Establish your base camp the first day and then chose between two day hikes for the second day; a backpack to the starting point takes place on the third day.
Difficulty	Easy
Comments	San Perdo Parks offers beautiful high-country hiking in a setting that features gentle, rolling topography characterized by large grassy parks and wet meadows separated by stands of spruce and mixed confers. Because of the absence of high mountain peaks, the area experiences a high number of lost hikers; map and compass skills are essential in this area. The above trail description assumes that you will camp near the intersection of trails 51 and 435. However, you can camp anywhere along the trails. The Rio de Las Vacas is a very popular area so you may want to find a campsite other than at this trail intersection. Be prepared for snow in April and May.
To Earn Feather	Backpack into the Wilderness along Trail 51 to a base camp. On the second day, hike one of the two loop trails. On the third day, return via Trail 51 to the starting point.
Maps	Forest Service -- San Pedro Parks Wilderness; USGS -- Nacimiento Peak
Trail	Starting at the parking area to San Gregorio Reservoir: Trail 51 (5.6 mi.) -> Base camp. Rio Puerco Loop: Starting at intersection of trails 51 and 435, Trail 435 (2.6 mi.) -> Trail 46 (2.6 mi.) -> Trail 51 (3.3 mi.) -> Base Camp. Penas Negras Loop: Starting at intersection of trails 51 and 435, Trail 51 (0.4 mi.) -> Trail 50 (2.4 mi.) -> Trail 418 (2.3 mi.) -> Trail 32 (2.5 mi.) -> Trail 385 (0.1 mi.) -> Trail 32 (0.6 mi.) -> Trail 51 (2.4 mi.). Return: Trail 51 (5.6 mi.) -> Parking area. (See map)
Elevation Profile
Transportation Requirements	State Road 126 can be reached from State Road 44 north of Cuba, NM or from State Road 4 at La Cueva, NM (between Jemez Springs and Los Alamos). Turn north on Forest Road 264 and drive approximately 2 miles to the parking area. Locked cars can be left at the parking area.