Cerrillos Hills - Not the State Park

This hike is a good way to see other parts of the Cerrillos Hills beyond the boundaries of the Cerrillos Hills State Park.

This moderate hike starts near the townsite of Waldo and is a six-mile trek near Grande Central Mountain which is one of the highest mountains in the Cerrillos Hills.

The majority of this hike will be on BLM land. We will see numerous mines and prospect holes dating back to the 1880s along with views of Mount Chalchihuitl (Chal Chee Wee Til). Mount Chalchihuitl is a prehistoric open pit turquoise mine dating back to 950 AD. It is one of the oldest turquoise mines in the country. We will be about a mile from the mine as it is on private land.

We will start by hiking up a narrow canyon with high cliffs then hiking on old mining trails to a saddle where we can view the old turquoise mine. Sections are steep and rocky with abundant cactus. The elevation change to the saddle is about six hundred feet. After the saddle we will circle back on a different route and head down an arroyo back to the vehicles.

Most vehicles can make it to the trailhead. The pace will be relaxed. Please pay your driver $4.00.

Hiking will be in arroyos, mining trails and off trail. Hiking poles and good boots are recommended. This hike is unsuitable for dogs due to the abundant cactus.