Lake Katherine

Lake Katherine sits in a rocky alpine basin at 11,700 feet, below the Santa Fe Baldy. It is the highest major lake in New Mexico, but getting there requires a strenuous hike.

What to Do

Hike to the lake! The standard route starts at the Winsor Trailhead at Ski Santa Fe. From there, the trail climbs through forest toward Puerto Nambe before making a steeper final push to Lake Katherine. The full hike is roughly 14 miles round trip with close to 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Strong hikers can continue toward Santa Fe Baldy, which rises above the lake at 12,631 feet. Backpacking is also popular here, and camping near the lake lets you split the hike over two days.

How Much Time to Spend

Plan on a full day. Most hikers should expect around 7 to 8 hours round trip, depending on pace and trail conditions. If you want more time at the lake or plan to continue toward Santa Fe Baldy, an overnight trip makes more sense.

Getting There

From Santa Fe, take NM-475 through Hyde Memorial State Park to Ski Santa Fe. The road is paved all the way to the parking area, and the Winsor Trail starts nearby. The trail is well marked at lower elevations but gets rougher near the lake. Start early in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and much of the final approach is exposed. Snow can also linger well into early summer at this elevation.

Lake Katherine is not a quick sightseeing stop. It is a long, high-elevation hike with one of the best alpine views near in the state!