Horsethief Meadow, New Mexico

Submitted by trailsetc.com (updated: 07.13.2009)
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Details

• Type(s) of Acitivites: Hiking, fishing, backpacking
• Best season / time to go: Late spring, summer, and early fall
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Length (round-trip): ~ 12 miles
• Duration / time to complete: 8+ hours
• Usage Fee: $2.00 USD
• Nearest City / town: Tererro, NM
• Trailhead elevation: 8345 ft.
• Maximum elevation: 10150 ft.
• Elevation change: ~ 1805 feet
• Essential gear: Day hiking and/or backpacking gear

Tags: backpacking, camping, grassy meadows, hiking, horsethief meadows, northern new mexico, pecos wilderness, steep ascent, summer hike

Description » Jump to the Map ↓ » View as PDF

Approaching from the Skyline Trail 251 at the north end of Horsethief Meadow, a sign post marks the turn of the trail to the west side of Horsethief Creek. A trail across the swampy meadow may not be obvious at this point. Upon reaching the woods at the edge of the meadow, two trails can be seen.

The trail heading north alongside Horsethief Creek is Trail 253. The trail turning west is Horsethief Meadows Trail 243. Within a quarter mile, Trail 243 crosses a small tributary of Horsethief Creek and begins the steep ascent out of the canyon. The trail follows this stream up a drainage for half a mile before crossing it once again and ascending rapidly up the ridge. The trail swings slightly north at this point and travels to a lower saddle before turning west to follow a small drainage down the valley to the Rio Frijoles.

If the visitor is coming up the trail from Panchuela West and reaches this lower saddle with a fence just the other side, he must be sure to turn southeast to continue up the trail and not try to descend at this point. Good opportunities for camping can be found along the last section of the trail to the Rio Frijoles. Cattle can normally be seen grazing in the open grassy meadows that characterize Panchuela West.

Photos