Occasional short steeper portions. Hike ends in a large alpine meadow with stands of aspen and carpets of flowers. A panoramic view. A beautiful trail in a narrow canyon following the creek for the first mile. The pitches are moderate and the trail is easy to walk on.
Lunch is served in a lovely meadow with a striking view of the canyon and the ridges above.
The first mile is the L.O.E. 5 portion, the remainder is a wide smooth trail through firs and spruces following century old remnants of a mining road. One easy water crossing. Columbines grow along the trail in spots and wildflowers grow in profusion in season. Lunch is served in a secluded meadow that contains the remains of several miner's cabins. This trail winds through pi on and juniper and cedar and an easy climb to an overlook where the vastness of the Taos Valley and Northern New Mexico can be seen and appreciated.