Hiking Taos Canyon

Hike to the Top of the Mountain in Taos Ski Valley, NM

Hiking Taos Canyon to the top of the mountain in Taos Ski Valley is unquestionably one of our favorite activities and an awesome place to be on any day. We have made this trek every year for four years. Sometimes it's just the two of us but we have introduced friends and family to this unique hiking experience also.

Starting at the base of the mountain at Taos Ski Valley, we ride the ski lift up to its end (about an altitude of 11,000 feet), hop off and begin our ascent to about +12,000 feet. Doesn't sound like much of a hike, distance-wise, but a lot of it is quite steep.

The air is thin up there, so you should be in pretty good physical condition and, it certainly helps if you are used to high altitudes. High altitude sickness is always a possibility. If you do get high altitude sickness, the only cure is to go down to a lower altitude, although the town of Taos is about 7,000 feet, which is still fairly high for those used to sea level living.

We have learned from experience that we need to go prepared. If it's quite warm in the Valley, it will still be quite cool up on top. So we usually don't wear shorts. And, fair weather in the valley does not guarantee the same weather up on top. Three out of four years, it rained on us. Always beware of lightning while hiking — for obvious reasons. And, no, you are not safe because the trees are taller than you. My advice in case of lightning: leave the mountain - immediately!

Here's a list of necessities:

jacket or sweatshirt
rain poncho
long pants
sturdy boots
hat
sun screen lotion
water
sun glasses
snacks (that won't melt)

This is a list of nice-to-take items:

blanket to sit on at the top to watch the sun go by
bottle of wine
corkscrew
plastic glasses. (I know - wine in plastic glasses is gauche - but safer than glass.)