Sangre de Cristo Mountains, southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains.

Devisadero means “lookout.” The point was once used by the Taos Pueblo Indians to stand guard, watching for the Apaches who would come down Taos Canyon to raid the pueblo. There are great views of the town of Taos, the Rio Grande Gorge, and San Antonio Mountain, and farther northward, the Taos Pueblo and Wheeler Peak.

The entire loop is 5.1 miles and rated moderate. About a quarter of the mile in from the trailhead, the path forks. The right-hand fork leads directly to Devisadero Peak at an elevation of 8,304 feet. The left-hand fork is a series of switchbacks that take you to the ridgeline. From here, you can hike eastward to Devisadero Peak.

The trail has an array of wildflowers and two forest types. On the south side, piñon, juniper, and Gambel oak. On the north side, Douglas firs and white firs replace the drought-tolerant piñons and junipers. Like the La Vista Verde Trail, we hiked the Devisadero trail in August, and early in the day. This one was more heavily traveled, but everyone we encountered was courteous and happy to be outdoors on such a beautiful day.

And to end a day of hiking, what do fellow hikers do? They après-hike, of course—with vittles and libations in the shadow of sacred Taos Mountain, and under a star-studded sky.

For more Taos hikes: Hiking in Northern New Mexico

Update: Earlene’s Cafe in Taos has closed.

September 7, 2018: Toronto 2017—Day 1