A relatively moderate day hike/trip just an hour from Albuquerque, Mount Taylor has been a favorite getaway for me spanning two decades. This is one of those little gems of outdoor recreation that New Mexicans, myself included, tend to overlook when we're considering escape from the concrete jungle, and it's also an example of how this state's natural beauty remains generally undiscovered; of the 5-6 times I've hiked to the summit, I've maybe seen three or four people along the way, in total. That's cool with me, I'll keep the peak to myself, thanks.
In total you'll walk a little over six miles on a clearly marked path, much of the way is open, not shaded, so in the heat of the summer definitely sunblock up and bring lots of water. A gentle switchback takes you up the last of the mountain and all of a sudden there you are, some 11,300 feet above sea level (there's an elevation sign, perfect for your selfie), looking over easily an entire quarter of this state. It's a peak like no other, in that it's not surrounded by a mountain range -- this mountain was formed from a volcanic explosion a la Mount Helen -- and it towers over the modest pueblos and mesas below.
Accessible all year long, I'd advise against this hike in the dead of winter -- it can get very snowy on top -- and during elk hunting season. #themoreyouknow read more
