SUMMARY: 10.4k feet to 11.4k feet, 1.2 miles
DESCRIPTION: The Nambe Lake Trail extends from the Winsor Trail up to Nambe Lake. Nambe Lake, like most lakes in the Pecos Wilderness, is situated at the base of a steep rocky slope and has fine views. Of all the lakes in the Pecos, Nambe Lake is perhaps the closest to a major population center, so this trail is popular in spite of an extremely steep climb.
GETTING THERE: Drive to Winsor Trailhead, and hike along Winsor Trail east about 2.1 miles to the intersection with Rio Nambe and the Nambe Lake Trail on the right. From there it is 1.2 miles to the lake.
CONDITIONS: The trail tends to be heavily “braided”, meaning many user trails split off and rejoin, making it hard to identify the main pathway. NMVFO attempted to close off many user trails in the summer of 2020 with tree branches, but expect this to be an ongoing issue. The trail is very steep, with few switchbacks, and is popular with day hikers and is heavily traveled. No downfalls blocked the trail after the summer 2020 project. For such a steep trail, not much damage from water erosion is apparent. Hiking during muddy conditions is not a good idea.
NMVFO has done past work on this trail:
Nambe Lake Trail (Santa Fe NF)
Closed off social trails to mark the main trail up to Nambe Lake