Winter outing in Jemez Mountains offers recreation, access, and safety focus

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center and the Los Alamos Mountaineers will host a point to point winter outing on Saturday January 10, 2026, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The route covers 4.5 miles with about 800 feet of elevation gain through one of the Jemez Mountains most scenic winter corridors. The event is designed for participants with prior snowshoeing or cross country skiing experience, and space is limited so early registration is encouraged.

Participants will meet at the Los Alamos Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Road, at 9 a.m. to carpool to the Las Conchas Trailhead. Those coming from outside Los Alamos may join the group directly at 10 a.m. at the Las Conchas Trailhead. Cars will be staged at the East Fork Trailhead for the return. Because winter parking can be challenging, four wheel drive vehicles and shovels are helpful. PEEC has snowshoes available to lend, and organizers note that conditions will determine whether snowshoes or skis are used. If snow is insufficient the group will shift to a winter hike and micro spikes such as YakTraks may be recommended.

The trip will be led by longtime PEEC and Los Alamos Mountaineers volunteer Zack Baker, who has recent wilderness first aid training and experience guiding day trips. Low admission fees aim to keep the event accessible. Members of PEEC and of the Los Alamos Mountaineers will pay four dollars for individuals and eight dollars for families. Non members will pay five dollars for individuals and ten dollars for families. Registration is available at peecnature.org/events and organizers advise reserving a spot soon because few spaces remain.

Beyond recreation, the outing highlights public health and equity issues tied to outdoor access. Regular outdoor activity supports physical and mental health, and community programs that lend equipment and organize carpools can reduce barriers for residents who lack gear or transportation. At the same time winter outings raise safety and emergency response considerations. Organizers encourage proper preparation, and the presence of leaders with first aid training helps reduce risk, but local emergency services remain a key backstop when conditions worsen.

PEEC was founded in 2000 to strengthen community connections to the canyons, mesas, mountains and skies. It operates the Los Alamos Nature Center and runs regular programs and interest groups ranging from birding to hiking. For Los Alamos residents this outing is an opportunity to enjoy winter landscapes close to home while testing local systems for safe, equitable access to public lands.