Nambe Lake Trail

Nambe Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail to an alpine lake in the Santa Fe National Forest. The trail winds through the Sangre De Cristo subrange of the Southern Rockies. The trail starts across the parking lot from the Santa Fe Ski Basin parking lot, and the first quarter mile follows the hillside across from the ski basin and continues to climb for the first mile. After a mile the trail enters the national forest and begins to ascend for the next mile along the Windsor Trail. The trail to the lake breaks away from the Windsor Trail after 2.1 miles. Hikers should take a right at the trail junction to continue to Nambe Lake.  

Once the trail breaks off it follows the Nambe Creek. The trail becomes relatively steep at this point and ascends the remaining 1.2 miles to the alpine lake. Once hikers arrive at the lake the trail winds around the lake itself and offers beautiful views of the mountains above. Walking around the lake will add about a half mile to the total distance of the trail. Once you are ready to leave, return the way you came.

Note that in winter this trail can become difficult as the creek floods the trail and ices the trail over.  While it can be possible to navigate the way around the ice, continue cautiously and turn around if it is too dangerous to continue.