Description

Starting from the Fourth of July Campground, the trailhead for this loop is easily accessible and offers ample parking.

The trail is well-marked and maintained, but it's quite a long journey with a decent amount of height gain. The hike begins in a lush, forested area and as you ascend, the trail winds through a series of meadows that burst into vibrant colors during the late spring and early summer.

These meadows are one of the highlights of the hike, offering stunning contrasts between the fields and forest. Higher up the trail becomes a bit more open and on a clear day, you can see as far as the Sandia Mountains to the north and the plains to the east. Be mindful of the weather, as conditions can change rapidly around here - summer thunderstorms are common in the afternoons, and it’s best to start the hike early in the day to avoid these.

The trail is typically accessible from late spring through fall, but snow can linger on the higher elevations into early summer, so checking current trail conditions before heading out is advisable.