Near Whitewash Loop
Embudo Horse Trail's higher route provides several scenic overlooks of Albuquerque. Embudo Trail is visible to the right.
Near Whitewash Loop
Near Three Guns Trail
Near Whitewash Loop
Nice view to the south
Near Whitewash Loop
A first look at the beginning of the Embudo Canyon trail!
Near Whitewash Loop
This narrow section of the Lower Foothills Trail 365 wraps around the hillside overlooking the city.

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Hike Route

Whitewash Loop

4.3 (7 Ratings)
This basic loop consists of hikeign the Whitewash Trail to Oso Pass then coming back down the Embudo Trail.
12.4
mi
Distance
3,292
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsLess CrowdedViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
12.38mi
Distance
3,292ft
Elevation Gain
3,292ft
Elevation Loss
50%
Max Grade
8,533ft
High Point
5,940ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
There are many possible beginnings and ends to this loop but the basic loop consists of the Whitewash Trail which you'll take to Oso Pass, and then heading back down into the southern foothills using the Embudo Trail. Whitewash Trail can be difficult to find and follow going up unless you already know it. This is mostly because of multiple user trails that cross it and split from it within the first mile. There is also the fact that it's completely unmarked at any point. It's easier to find the first time by doing this loop in reverse. Once you get to the Oso Pass intersection using the Embudo Trail you take a hard left onto Whitewash. It's unmarked but it is the only option for a hard left. Once you get far enough down along Whitewash to where you have the multiple user trail it's not hard to find your way because you can see all the southern foothills, so you just keep heading down. The nice thing about Whitewash is that it's great climbing going up, it's scenic once you start getting higher up on the mountain, and it is little used. The largest number of people I've seen in a day on the trail is two.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Brian Pilgrim