Cañon de Valle Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Trail most commonly done as an out and back of roughly 8 miles.

The singletrack is a perfect grade for running...not too steep and very consistent. Most commonly this is used as an out and back from the trailhead to the saddle between Cerro Grande and Pajarito Mountain. However, from the saddle, you have options.

First, you can continue west and down into the Valles Caldera on a solid singletrack into the meadow and down to the dirt VC04 road. Turn right on VC04, run the road for a few miles and turn right on the dirt road VC09 (signed.) Run VC09 for a mile and change ending with either a steep, loose ascent up the old pipeline road or a more enjoyable ascent out of the caldera via an old jeep road just south of the old pipeline road.

Then follow the Guaje Canyon Trail #282 south to Pajarito Mountain, up and over Pajarito Mountain to the Lower / Upper Pajarito Canyon Trail to its trailhead and then along Perimeter Trail back to the Cañon de Valle trailhead.

Second, from the saddle you can head cross- country north up the south slope of Pajarito Mountain and work your way across the top of Pajarito Mountain to the Lower / Upper Pajarito Canyon Trail to its trailhead and then along Perimeter Trail back to the Cañon de Valle trailhead.

Third, from the saddle you can head south up Cerro Grande via an old, semi-washed out trail on Cerro Grande's north slope, and then return the way you came, back to the Cañon de Valle trailhead.

Bear, bighorn sheep, elk, ponderosas, and aspen. Some wood ticks are common.