Route: New Mexico 12,000' Peaks

The Rocky Mountains don't end at the Colorado border as many people believe, they stretch far into the "flat" dry desert of New Mexico. There are 37 peaks over 12,000 feet in the Land of Enchantment, and 3 of those are above 13,000 ft. (peaks with 300ft of generous prominence). This route is comprised of 29 peaks in total, as eight peaks are on private property and are inaccessible to most or all. (Do not trespass to do the other peaks.) Many of the peaks are not easily accessible and require traveling some distance to reach, especially throughout the Pecos wilderness. There are many fun rocky ridgelines and bits of exciting scrambling, beautiful alpine lakes, and lots of wildlife. Trails are sometimes nice, often non-existent, and you can expect to find plenty of solitude. Certain trails like up to Wheeler Peak can be busy but, on many trails, you may not see another person all day.

Summit every peak listed in whatever order and by whatever routes make sense, time should be started at trailhead before first peak, and end at the trailhead after finishing the final peak. The distance could be less than 176 miles with some bigger linkups. You can follow the 3000ft rule for extra style points, but at least give each peak its due respect.

Peaks Listed Below:

(Excluding peaks on Private Property, this peak list was created using input from multiple websites and sources.)

Wheeler Peak 13,161ft - Prom. 3409

Truchas Peak 13,102ft - Prom. 4001

North Truchas Peak 13,024ft - Prom. 624

Lake Fork Peak 12,881ft - Prom. 601

Chimayosos Peak 12,841ft - Prom. 841

Jicarita Peak 12,835ft - Prom. 715

Peak 12819, aka Sin Nombre Peak 12,819ft - Prom. 459

Venado Peak 12,734ft - Prom. 2971

Gold Hill 12,716ft - Prom. 1796

Latir Peak 12,708ft - Prom. 308

Sheepshead Peak 12,696ft - Prom. 456

Vallecito Mountain 12,643ft - Prom. 763

Santa Barbara Peak 12,640ft - Prom. 480

Santa Fe Baldy 12,622ft - Prom. 1982

Trouble Benchmark 12,622ft - Prom. 302

Virsylvia Peak 12,594ft - Prom. 314

Little Costilla Peak 12,584ft - Prom. 2424

East Pecos Baldy 12,529ft - Prom. 889

Barbara Peak/ Little Chimayosos Peak 12,515ft - Prom. 435

Peak 12456 12,456ft - Prom. 376

Cabresto Peak, 12,448 ft - Prom. 290

Lake Peak 12,409ft - Prom. 1329

Redonda Peak 12,357ft - Prom. 637

Trampas Peak 12,170ft - Prom. 970

Bull Creek Peak 12,170ft - Prom. 290

Baldy Cabin Peak 12,116ft - Prom. 436

Lobo Peak 12,115ft - Prom. 940

Peak 12060 12,060ft - Prom. 340

Touch-Me-Not Mountain 12,044ft - Prom. 924