Hard Atalaya

The best connection to this trail is on the St John's Arroyo At about 2.5 miles from the trailhead parking you'll cross a dirt road, climb a small hill and enter an open area where the Hard Atalaya trail intersects. Turn left or uphill where the trail becomes gravely and steep. Follow this difficult steep section to the ridge-top. The trail reaches this ridge top with great pine duff covered singletrack. Looming just ahead, you'll see a headwall that looks intimidating, and it is one of the most difficult aspects of this trail. From this view, the trail climbs loose rocky terrain up the steep mountainside. Near the summit, it connects to Atalaya Mountain Trail #170. The views to the east and north make you feel like you are lost in the mountains and a glance to the west shows the city of Santa Fe nestled on the valley floor far below you.