North Mitchell Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Waterfall

This trail was considered impassable for a number of years between 2011 and 2017. In 2018, volunteers worked hard to restore the trail and it's now in great shape.

The trail can be a bit loose and steep on the hillside just below Guaje Ridge but gets better as you get lower on the trail.

The "North Mitchell" trail is the continue of the Mitchell Trail #69 from its junction with the Guaje Ridge Trail #285. This short, often steep trail allows trail users to access the old Guaje Reservoir in Guaje Canyon. The term "reservoir" no longer fits this tiny little pool with a concrete barrier as the reservoir filled up with gravel, rocks and other detritus during the many floods post-Las Conchas fire of 2011. A rope hand-line on the rocky ledges on the south side of the old reservoir dam allows trail users to clamber up above the old reservoir.

The North Mitchell Trail is steep, narrow and loose so it is not suitable for bikes. Runners and hikers should use a bit of caution while descending this volunteer-maintained trail.

Like many of the trails around the town of Los Alamos, the trail can get a bit overgrown by thorny locust bushes. Aspen trees in the drainages that flank the trail offer nice colors in fall.