Cerro Roman

Sunrise at the new and improved traihead. Cerro Roman off to the left.

22 NOVEMBER 2025 W5N/SE-049

Two Stars – a nice summit. I’d do it again. Recommended.

Elevation:	7,707′
Route:	Cross country
Hike Distance:	2.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:	700′ (90′ on the return)
Navigation:	Moderate
Steepness:	Steep at the end
Vehicle:	Passenger car
Road:	Good dirt road
Cell Coverage:	Excellent Verizon

Hike basics

There had been rain and snow in the upper elevations during the week in North Central New Mexico. My Saturday schedule suddenly opened up and I was looking for a nearby summit that would be free from the expected mud and snow.

I’d driven up Forest Service Road 114 three times recently to activate summits on the roof of the Jemez Mountains and I knew that road was well graded and drained. I’d been scoping out the trailhead for Cerro Roman and suspected that there might be better to start a little lower than others have indicated on previous activations.

Here is my track down – the way I will go up next time

This route starts a few hundred yards down from the horseshoe bend that others have parked at. This route contours around the humps on the ridge and travels along relatively level terrain.

K1JD John wisely suggests good footwear for this one. For my 70 year old ankles this means my La Sportiva high top boots. This lower route avoids some of the steep and treacherous lava cobblestone footing that can send one flying into the abundant cacti. The last steep part is unavoidable, but by watching mt feet when I walked and firmly stopping to look ahead — a practice that is contrary to my normal way of hiking — I found that I could stay on my feet and not end up on my butt.

The terrain on this route is relatively open and it was easy to link up all the little meadows. There were none of the deadfall cul de sacs I found on Polvadera Peak that necessitated endless backtracking. I found the hiking here quite enjoyable.

The summit affords a nice view and some trees tall enough to support antennas. The activation zone is spread out between two small knolls and could provide space for an army of activators.

Radio condition were good on the upper bands. Got some nice DX into Europe with Aleksander in Slovenia and Chris in France. 40m was not working at all for me as Scott WA9STI couldn’t hear me on that band. I did manage to get Scott (as club call WA6LE) on 20m. Also notable was a 2 meter contact with Linda WB0JNS 85 miles or so into southern Colorado.