Los Alamos County

Deer Trap Mesa extends east from Barranca Mesa and is named for a game pit found close to the start of the trail. The mesa top with its fragile soil is not recommended for bicycles or horses. Its relative isolation makes it an attractive location for wildlife viewing, for studying wildflowers, and for simply enjoying the view. Walking is easy, except for a short section of rock stairs near the trailhead. The mesa has three points, each of which can be explored on foot. Most hikers head out to the northernmost point and return by the same route. For a longer trip, hikers can use the Loop Trail to connect the two mesa points. 

Length: 1.6 or 3.0 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 50 feet

Fitness Level: Easy

Features: Game pit, views

Trail Surface: Packed dirt, rock

Field Notes: Foot traffic only

Start from the trailhead, walk to the end of the road. Skirt around the guardrail and onto the dirt path. As the mesa quickly narrows, pass interpretive signs providing details about homesteading in the area. In another minute, watch for a steep rock stairway that drops to a saddle on the mesa. The game pit is located at the saddle. The trail traverses the north side of the mesa for about 200 feet, and then ascends a modern rock stairway to reach the mesa top. From here, the trail is level and easy to follow.

To reach the northern point, turn left at the only trail junction marked with a sign, located about 0.6 miles from the start. The overlook is a quarter mile ahead. For a longer trip, near the northern point the Loop Trail, branch off to the south (right as you face the point). The trail is marked with signs as it parallels the rim of the mesa. Follow the trail south, then east along the north rim of the middle point. After about a half mile, watch for a horseshoe bend that sends the trail back to the west. Continue along the rim of the southern point to meet the South Fork near the overlook on the north point. Head left a few yards to the point, then turn around and take the South Fork to the junction with the main trail. Turn left and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

Download a map & description onto your mobile device: EveryTrail for Deer Trap Mesa Trail

The Kwage Mesa Trail winds along the south rim of the mesa for more than a mile. The route continues on a road to the tip of the mesa where long-range views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the Rio Grande rift await. 

Length: 4.5 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 200 feet

Fitness Level: Easy

Features: 360-degree views

Trail Surface: Packed dirt 

Mountain Bike Skill Level: Moderate

From the trailhead, head east and in a few yards, curl to the north along a fence line. In a minute, turn right on the trail as it passes by the covered riding arena. The trail has plenty of twists as it skirts the mesa rim and heads east. In 1.5 miles, the trail meets the road. Bear right onto the road and follow it toward the overlook. The road narrows to a track near the end of the mesa, but it is easy to follow as it winds through piñons and juniper. The track ends on a rocky viewpoint. After enjoying the scene, retrace your route along the road. At the junction with the trail, bear right to stay on the road. The road soon swings to head west, with the Sierra de los Valles straight ahead. At the next trail junction, jog left for a few yards, and then turn right onto the Kwage Mesa Trail. The trailhead is less than a quarter mile from the junction.

Download a map & description onto your mobile device: EveryTrail for Kwage Mesa Trails

The Bayo/Pueblo Loop offers a long trip within the canyons of Los Alamos. The loop is suitable for all trail users, although the canyon bottoms can be hot at mid-day in summer.

Length: 11 miles

Elevation Gain: 600 feet

Fitness Level: Moderate

Features: Tent rocks, open pine stands

Trail Surface: Packed dirt

Mountain Bike Skill Level: Moderate, some hike-a-bike

From the Kwage Mesa Trailhead, follow the Kwage Mesa Trail to the trail junction near the east side of the white-fenced riding arena. Turn left and in a few yards turn right to parallel the fence to reach the Kwage Mesa Road. At the road, turn left and skirt the north edge of the arena. Pass around a green gate and continue along the north side of the rodeo arena. Watch for a sign pointing to the Bayo Canyon Trail and turn right to head down that trail. After 0.3 miles, turn right onto the main Bayo Canyon Trail. Here the trail follows an old road and in places is worn three feet into the soft rock, making for challenging travel. Near the bottom of the canyon, about 1.6 miles from the start, bear right onto the Fireline Trail. Wind along this trail to its eastern end, cross a dirt road and the sandy channel of Bayo Canyon, and then continue on a sandier trail on the north side of the drainage. The route swings to the east and parallels a fence for about a mile before re-crossing the drainage and meeting the Bayo Canyon Road. 

Follow the road to the left, passing several intersections. Just past a concrete low-water crossing, turn right onto the Pueblo Canyon Road. Head up the canyon, making two wet stream crossings. After two dry crossings, about 1.8 miles from the Bayo Canyon Road, turn left onto the winding Tent Rocks Trail. Follow this trail as it climbs for 1.7 miles up the canyon before again rejoining the Pueblo Canyon Road. 

Turn left and continue on the road for about 2 miles to meet the East Fork Trail. Turn right onto this trail and climb steeply on a twisting track. After crossing a short bridge (not suitable for horses), turn right onto a road, climb a hill, then in 0.1-mile bear right to rejoin the East Fork Trail. (To avoid the stairs ahead, equestrians should (and mountain bike riders may want to) stay on the road and rejoin the East Fork Trail in a half-mile via the Walnut Canyon Rim Trail.) Descend to the canyon bottom; head upstream amid huge pines, then climb wooden stairs to reach the mesa top. Pass the Walnut Canyon Rim Trail on the right and follow the trail to its end at San Ildefonso Road. 

Carefully cross San Ildefonso to the sidewalk on the east side. Turn left and cross North Mesa Road at the San Ildefonso roundabout. Pass a culvert tunnel on the left, bear right across a disturbed area, and pick up the Bayo Canyon Trail to the right. Follow this trail 1.1 miles to the access trail leading back to the trailhead at the stables.