East Fork Trail
Trail is used for hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
Trail begins at about 9,600 feet above sea level. Trail 55 to Sawmill Park departs from the East Fork after the first mile. Then the trail crosses the Big Ditch, a 41-mile mining feature constructed in the 1800’s to transport water to the Moreno Valley for mining. The trail follows the East Fork of the Red River for the first 2.5 miles, and then crosses a wooden foot bridge. Then the trail begins climbing moderately through old-growth spruce fir forest. Three more wooden foot bridges are provided for tributary crossings. Eventually the trail intersects Trail 91, the Lost Lake trail at about 11,400 feet above sea level. Trail 91 then ascends about another ½ mile to Horseshoe Lake, below Mount Walter.
Most of the trail is moderate and recommended for families. Snow drifts are common at higher elevations through June.
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall for hiking and horseback, and winter and early spring for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Water is available for a majority of this route; filtration is strongly recommended.
Address: 184 State Highway 38, Questa, NM 87556
Phone: (575) 586-0520
Hours: Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Directions
From Taos, take SR 522 to Questa, turn right on State Road 38 at the traffic light. Take SR 38 to Red River and drive through Red River. Go right at the fork on the east side of Red River, on SR 58. Drive about six miles to the end of the pavement. Cross the bridge, turn right, and follow the dirt road (staying left to avoid the private residential area) to the trailhead at the end of the road. High clearance vehicles are recommended for this last segment.
Recreation Opportunities
Recreation Groups
The Lost Lake Loop is a popular route, about 13.5 miles long, for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding strung together by three trails (listed below) and two roads