Colorado Peak

Looking south to the Sandia Crest.

7 FEBRUARY 2026 W5N/SE-050

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

Elevation:	7,306′
Route:	Cross country
Hike Distance:	1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain:	325′
Navigation:	Easy
Steepness:	Mild
Vehicle:	High clearance, all terrain tires recommended
Road:	Dirt road
Cell Coverage:	Excellent Verizon

Hike basics

After doing Tetilla in the morning, I felt like exploring the Caja further, so I pointed Whitedog north on Forest Service Road 24. I took this good dirt road to the corrals at the Twelve Hundred Well junction and took Forest Service Road 21E to the west. Note that these roads are not well marked so a good Forest service map is helpful.

Here is my drive from Tetilla to Colorado trailheads

From here I was able to drive up a very faint track to the base of the hill leading to Colorado Peak. The hike is short and it goes through a burn area from a 2020 fire sparked by lightning. The clear skies I had over Tetilla Peak earlier clouded up considerably. I could see verga in the upper atmosphere and I began to wonder if we weren’t going to get an unforecasted shower. This could complicate the drive out on the adobe roads.

The activation area is huge and a surviving juniper provides shade and shelter on the otherwise open ridge. Cow pies are everywhere and I had to rake manure to clear the spot I chose.

Radio conditions were again good although I only worked a decent pileup on 20m