Serpent Lake Trail
From the trailhead, a 6.5-mile trail that takes visitors to various destinations within the Pecos Wilderness:
- Serpent Lake (via a short spur trail)
- Jicarita Peak ridge
- Trail connections with the Horseshoe Lake Trail (#36A), Skyline-Divide Trail (#36), and terminating at East Fork Santa Barbara Trail (26).
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
19
General Information
- Portions of the trail go through the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire burn area.
- About 3.5 miles from the trailhead, a spur trail takes a side trip to Serpent Lake.
- The trail steeply climbs up Jicarita Peak ridge for another mile. The ridge is barren and exposed and should be avoided during bad weather.
- The descends a steep and difficult 2,000 feet in elevation into the East Fork of the Rio Santa Barbara drainage.
In the summer months the trail can be used for hiking and horseback riding. The trail is used in the winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The following is prohibited in National Forest Wilderness:
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle, motorboat, or motorized equipment.
- Possessing or using a hang glider or bicycle.
Address: 15160 State Road 75, Peñasco, NM 87553
Phone: (575) 587-2255
Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Parking
Parking is available at the Serpent Lake Trailhead.
Directions
From New Mexico 518, take Forest Road 161 to the end at the Serpent Lake Trailhead.
