Guaje Canyon Trail

A great, short ski tour that triples in summer as a hiking and mountain biking destination Winter provides no excuse for not using the trails around Los Alamos (until it gets icy). The winter trip, on skis or snowshoes, to the Valle de los Posos overlook on the rim of the Valles Caldera is a favorite of many. There's easy parking at the far west end of the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area lot. The first section of the trip is on a groomed ski track, and beyond the meadow the route is usually broken in by backcountry skiers. Highlights include traveling through old mixed conifer forest, the wide-open Cañada Bonita, and the view into the Valles Caldera from the overlook. Reach the trail from the intersection of Diamond and Trinity at the Los Alamos Medical Center by traveling about 0.1 mile west on West Jemez Road. Turn right onto West Road at the traffic signal and drop into Los Alamos Canyon. Pass the ice rink, and climb the south canyon wall. Twist around several sharp turns, head up a long straightaway, then turn right onto Camp May Road. Follow this road about 4 miles to the end, continue through the parking area at the ski area, and park at the west end of the lot near the base of Aspen Lift.