The Marvelous 2-Mile Trail In New Mexico Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Overlook
The Land of Enchantment and its wide open spaces are meant for exploring. And there’s so much of this state to explore! From mountains to valleys, lakes, and rivers, we have countless trails that lead to so much scenery. And if you’re looking for an overlook hike in New Mexico, check out the Pueblo Alto Trail in San Juan County.
The Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a remote preserve in Nageezi, New Mexico. Its mission is to preserve "ancestral Puebloan culture dating between 850 and 1250 CE."
There are a total of four backcountry trails that meander through this nearly 34,000-acre park. There's the Wijiji Trail, the South Mesa Trail, the Peñasco Blanco Trail, and the Pueblo Alto Trail. Today we are going to focus on the Pueblo Alto Trail.
The trailhead for the Pueblo Alto Trail can be found at the Pueblo de Arroyo Parking Area. While this trail is 3.2 miles round trip, you can add an additional two miles in order to take in the views from a little-known overlook.
The roundtrip to the overlook and back should take approximately 3-4 hours with an elevation gain of 270 feet. Come prepared with plenty of water and sturdy hiking boots to trek along the rugged terrain.
Once you get to the overlook, the views are just spectacular! Not only will you see the San Juan Basin but numerous Chacoan buildings that are important to the Chaco culture.
Have you ever taken this overlook hike in New Mexico? To learn more about the Pueblo Alto Trail at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, visit the National Park Service website.
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I've worked in the entertainment industry for much of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream.
