Powder Project Logo

A gradual and consistently climbing trail to a high ridge just below treeline.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.6

Miles

4.2

KM

Ascent

11,168' 3,404 m

High

8,913' 2,717 m

Low

2,270' 692 m

Up

16' 5 m

Down

16%

Avg Slope (9°)

39%

Max Slope (21°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Need to Know

The trailhead is on the north side of New Mexico Highway 150 immediately west of the village of Amizette and the Austing Haus hotel. Parking can be tight after a big storm, the NMDOT and Village of TSV plows have absolutely no regard for the US Forest Service trails and push snow onto the parking spaces along the highway. Usually there's enough room for a few cars to park here, but if there isn't, there are several hotels and lodging options in Amizette—if you're a backcountry skier and don't care about the ski area this a great opportunity to consider as a destination. There are literally hundreds of thousands of acres of uncrowded wilderness to be explored, including remote terrain and hundreds of lines that have most likely never been skied. Best to travel in the wilderness with at least one partner, and know how to assess snowpack conditions and avalanche potential.

Description

This is well known and heavily used trail during summer, and much of the foot traffic carries over into winter and the first couple miles are usually packed by hikers, snowshoers, and cross country skiers. The winter route may vary once you approach the switchbacks about a mile up at the bottom of the Y Chute avalanche paths; from here, the route is exposed to unseen as well as obvious avalanche terrain. After climbing past the Y Chutes, the trail enters an open, flat meadow below several slide paths and skiable lines, generally trending northwest towards the ridge west of Gavilan Peak.

Contacts

Shared By:

J. Bella

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#6

in Taos

#433

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ascent Rankings

#6

in Taos

#16

in New Mexico

#433

Overall
2 Views Last Month
263 Since Nov 11, 2019
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Entering the wilderness near the bottom of Gavilan Canyon.
Jan 8, 2024 near Taos Sk…, NM
A look at the Bottom of the Y3 Chute from a switchback along the Gavilan Canyon trail, December 4th, 2019. If you attempt any of the Y Chutes, make sure to save some energy to climb out of the canyon back to the trail then ride down back to the trailhead.
Dec 5, 2019 near Taos Sk…, NM
A look at the mellow glades along the Gavilan Trail
Dec 5, 2019 near Taos Sk…, NM

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.