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    Williams Lake Trail

    4.3 (6 reviews)

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    End of the trail 11K in elevation.
    Paul E.

    The Williams Lake Trail is a fairly popular trail, and one that a lot of folks recommend for tourists and novice hikers, of which I was both. It begins at the Taos Ski Valley, near the Bavarian Restaurant. In fact, I just followed the signs to the Bavarian Lodge & Restaurant and found the sign for the Williams Lake Trail parking lot. The hike is about 4 miles round trip, and ends at a beautiful alpine "lake" (more like a very large pond). If you are not from these parts, then you may struggle a bit with the altitude. The trailhead is at about 10,000 feet and the lake is at 11,000 elevation. I was definitely struggling with pumping enough air through my lungs. The trail is well-marked and well-trodden. It is also fairly busy so you will see plenty of other hikers around. The first 25% of the trail is gravel road and tall grass. The middle 50% goes through some beautiful forest, so plenty of shade here. The last 25% or so passes large meadows filled with boulders.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    6 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    19 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Carson National Forest - Little snow runoff

    Carson National Forest

    4.8(8 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Carson National Forest - while in desperate need of more rainfall - is still such beautiful wild…read moreland. This part of the forest is nearest Taos, NM. If there was a more "New Mexico" town than Santa Fe that I could recommend to newcomers of the Land of Enchantment, it would be Taos. And you would be virtually engulfed by the Carson NF. You'll see deer and elk. Maybe - just maybe - you'll see the lone moose that I have heard in this area, affectionately referred to as Marty. Actually I haven't heard of him in a while. He was quite the craze in recent years. I hope he is king of the mountains and not in downtown Espanola or something. Aside from those more prominent larger herbivores, let's not forget the pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, all the smaller critters, and cougars too. I have yet to see a cougar and do not want to. I was more recently disheartened and disgusted by news that I learned on August 20, 2026, about "Suspected destructive devices recovered in New Mexico forest, reward offered" (ABC News). https://abcnews.com/US/suspected-destructive-devices-recovered-new-mexico-forest-reward/story?id=135812837 What? Why? Like some Ted Kaczynski wannabe? Talk about a bored begrudging ineffective citizen of the world, though, man. Pack it in, pack it out please. This forest is very special.

    Carson covers a lot of land. We drove one way round the Enchanted Circle up to Angel Fire and the…read moreother way to Ojo Caliente from our crib in arroyo Seco. We reached 9,000 feet, it was cool and the Aspens had almost turned during early November. Still beautiful and so deserted we had the road to ourself. A bit nippy for hiking for us softies but we saw a few parked cars.

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    Carson National Forest - Hiking by a stream

    Hiking by a stream

    Carson National Forest - Moss

    Moss

    Carson National Forest - Stream in Carson

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    Stream in Carson

    Los Rios River Runners

    Los Rios River Runners

    4.8(114 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    Great group of guides! Even served a nice fruit snack after we got out of the water. It was a bit…read moremore work than I expected but had a great time

    This was a last minute addition to my recent trip to Taos. I was looking for a short, easier…read moreexcursion on my last day in the area and the half day Orilla Verde raft trip was a perfect choice. This section of the river is calmer so its perfect for a relaxing float where you can spot wildlife and enjoy the grandeur of the gorge. You can opt to paddle a "funyak" on your own rather than go in the group raft. It's basically an inflatable kayak and my boyfriend and I chose that. It worked out well since there was only one other person in our group and they also chose a funyak. Check in is easy at the cafe in Pilar, about 20 minutes south of Taos and then you meet your guide at the gorge's visitor center across the street. Zac was our guide and he was a chill, cool guy but also focused on our safety and helped us navigate some shallow areas and one, small, class two rapids. He shared some stories about the river and its people and plant life. We got to see sheep climbing down the gorge to come drink in the river, a great blue heron and lots of ducks. It was a slow pace but that's what I was looking for. The funyaks were a little more challenging to navigate than regular kayaks (to me anyway.) They were lighter and seemed to spin and meander more. It was still a pleasant journey-just took a bit more concentration to paddle-especially with the two person boat we chose. Safety helmets and life jackets are provided and required. At the end, we shuttled back to the visitor center and our cars and Zac brought some apples, cookies and chips for the group. What a fun and memorable way to end my time in Taos. Los Rios is fun, friendly, easy to work with and I'd absolutely go again! Don't forget to tip your guide and also be ready to get a little wet, even on a more mellow trip. Had an awesome time on the river!

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    Los Rios River Runners
    Los Rios River Runners
    Los Rios River Runners

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    New Wave Rafting

    New Wave Rafting

    4.7(52 reviews)
    21.2 mi

    Best ride ever. Totally worth every penny! Every one is so awesome and happy loving people. Told me…read moreyes to rafting in low water level when everyone else said no because I was too big. (400) pounds and let me tel you we only got stuck once where everyone gets stuck. It was the best they really care about people not just the dollar. These guys are very customers friendly and customer service oriented. Most knowledgeable guides out there. Don't ride with anyone else they only care about quick money. But new wave rafting cares about the people more. I'm gonna be back as much as possible. 1000% recommend these guys. Use new wave I promise you won't be disappointed. Also awesome pics too. Man it was the best day of my life these guys treated us so loving and kind. You will regret going to anyone else I promise.

    Our guide, Socia, was on time, super friendly, and the perfect guide for our family of three (mom,…read moredad, and a nervous 5-year-old). Britt, the owner, met us before we headed out for our float, and we just casually conversed until it was time to go. Our outing coincided with a group of 25 Boy Scouts, so we could've been quickly lost in the shuffle, but Socia held us back and let the kids get way out ahead of us, so we felt like we were all by ourselves for the majority of the trip. She was so considerate and engaging and made it feel like we were on the river with an old friend. At the end of the trip, Britt met us again and hung out while we ate just casually conversing as if once more, we were catching up with an old friend. Thank you, Socia and Britt for the memory of a lifetime! Our little guy hasn't stopped talking about whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande.

    Photos
    New Wave Rafting
    New Wave Rafting - Guest and frog, on the Racecourse

    Guest and frog, on the Racecourse

    New Wave Rafting - Two beautiful guests on the Racecoutse

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    Two beautiful guests on the Racecoutse

    Williams Lake Trail - hiking - Updated September 2026

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