Atalaya Trail

Atalaya (Spanish for "watchtower" or "height") is the ridge that rises just east of Santa Fe. The trailhead we chose is in the Visitor Parking lot on St. John College. A plaque near the trailhead states that St. John's is the third oldest college in the United States. It was founded in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1696 as King William's School. The Santa Fe campus was opened in 1964. Our tour guide on Sunday said that St. Johns curriculum is the Great Books. Students spend the first two years reading the early Great Books in Greek and the next two years study the remaining GB. Their final test is a 9-hour oral exam taken while standing.

From near the beginning of the trail, our goal, the ridge behind Santa Fe. Truth be told, we did not take this picture on the way up, we were too busy huffing & puffing. The trail description mentioned several times that the trail was steep - "short but steep". (It wasn't that short!)

We did make it to the top where we had expansive views of Santa Fe and... 

the surrounding area. About a quarter mile from the top, a string of ten hikers passed us going down. They announced that they were a Senior Hiking Club from Albuquerque.

Lunch view.

Lunch spot.

More views from on top.

Using the telephoto lens, I think this is a picture of St. Johns College and the parking lot at center right.

After coming down the upper switchbacks and the steep ridge line we turned around and took this picture. Right in the center of the picture is where we had our lunch.

And, another view from mid-distance.

One aspect of the trail that I found beautiful was the profusion of pink granite shot through with quartz. It was sparkly and elegant, for a trail.

Today's hike:

Length - 8.33 miles

Duration - 4 hours, 47 minutes (including lunch)

Elevation gain - 2,250 feet (228 floors on the Fitbit)