Overview
Lake Katherine is the signature alpine lake destination in Santa Fe National Forest, sitting in a dramatic glacial cirque at 11,742 feet below the east face of Lake Peak in the Pecos Wilderness. The Windsor Trail approach from Santa Fe Ski Basin is the standard route: a 9-mile round trip that starts at one of the highest trailhead parking areas in New Mexico (10,300 feet) and climbs through subalpine spruce-fir forest before breaking into the tundra zone near the lake.
The route is demanding. The 3,400 feet of elevation gain over 4.5 miles one-way is sustained, and the altitude affects hikers differently. But the destination rewards the effort: Lake Katherine is a clear, cold cirque lake with sheer rock walls rising above it and the summit of Lake Peak visible from the outlet. Late July wildflowers on the upper trail include sky pilot, alpine sunflower, and alpine clover, colors that contrast sharply with the gray rock and residual snowfields on the surrounding faces.
From the trailhead, downtown Santa Fe is 14 miles and 40 minutes away. This proximity to a major city combined with the quality of the alpine destination makes Lake Katherine one of the most remarkable accessible wilderness experiences in the Southwest.
The Route
Miles 0 to 2: Ski Basin to Forest Climb. The Windsor Trail begins at the ski basin lower parking area (10,300 ft) and immediately climbs through spruce-fir forest. The grade is consistent and the trail well-maintained. The forest is dense in the lower section; views are limited but the tree canopy provides shelter in hot weather. A signed junction at mile 1.8 marks the entry into the Pecos Wilderness. The trail crosses several small drainages that hold running water through summer.
Miles 2 to 3.5: Upper Forest to Treeline Approach. The gradient increases above the wilderness boundary. The spruce-fir forest thins and Engelmann spruce gives way to the shorter, wind-battered forms typical of treeline. The trail gains the ridge that separates the ski basin watershed from the Lake Katherine basin at approximately mile 3. Views to the north and west open here, with Santa Fe and the Rio Grande Valley visible on clear days.
Miles 3.5 to 4.5: Tundra to Lake Katherine. The final mile crosses alpine tundra on a faint use trail marked with cairns. The grade eases slightly. The lake basin becomes visible from the tundra bench; the outlet stream is audible before the lake comes into view. The lake sits against a headwall of gray quartzite, with talus slopes rising on three sides. The eastern shore has the best views and the most reliable flat ground for sitting or camping.
When to Visit
June through October works for this trail. The upper section can hold snow through early June; the tundra approach is typically clear by mid-June in most years. Afternoon monsoon thunderstorms arrive in mid-July. The lake basin is above treeline and fully exposed; plan to be at the lake and heading back down by noon or 1 pm in summer.
September is the best overall month: monsoon winds down, temperatures moderate, and the basin is quieter. Early October can bring snow but also rewarding color in the willows and aspens below treeline.
What to Bring
Many hikers carry the following for Lake Katherine:
- Rain shell and warm mid-layer (afternoon storms are common in summer)
- Water filter (streams and lake water must be treated)
- Sunscreen and UV-protective eyewear (UV intensity is high at 12,000 feet)
- Trekking poles (useful on the talus in the upper basin)
- Early start: this is a long day at altitude; arriving at the trailhead by 6 or 7 am is worthwhile
- Snacks and enough calories for 6-8 hours of sustained effort at altitude
For multi-day trips in the Pecos Wilderness, review the national forest camping guide and Leave No Trace principles.
Practical Details
No permit is required to hike the Windsor Trail or enter the Pecos Wilderness (as of 2026). No fee is charged for trailhead parking at Santa Fe Ski Basin. Dogs are permitted in the Pecos Wilderness; keep them under control around wildlife and other hikers.
Cell service is limited at the ski basin and nonexistent once in the wilderness. Download maps and navigation tools before leaving the trailhead. The Windsor Trail junction system is well-signed, but the upper lake approach requires careful route-finding.
The Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District manages this area. Current conditions, trail updates, and fire restriction information are available at the Santa Fe National Forest website.
Getting There
From downtown Santa Fe, take Washington Avenue north and turn right on Artist Road, which becomes New Mexico Highway 475 (Hyde Park Road). Follow Highway 475 approximately 14 miles uphill to its terminus at Santa Fe Ski Basin. The road is paved the entire way but has sharp curves at higher elevations; drive carefully in wet conditions. Parking at the ski basin is in the lower lot; the trailhead is signed on the east side of the lot.
Total drive from downtown Santa Fe is 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Parking at the ski basin fills on summer weekend mornings; arriving by 7 am is strongly recommended for July and August hikes.