Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251)
~6 days · 43.3 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251) is known for
A ridge-running 43-mile (70 km) one-way traverse through the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains, administered by the Santa Fe National Forest. The trail follows the high Skyline Ridge from the Jacks Creek / Cowles area in the north south to the Santa Barbara Mesa, passing near the summits of Pecos Baldy and Truchas Peaks with sweeping views of both the Pecos River drainage and the Rio Grande valley. The route is strenuous with sustained elevations above 11,000 feet and limited water above timberline.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 28,934 ft to 40,850 ft over 43.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 11.3 mi · 27%
- Downhill 26.1 mi · 62%
- Flat 4.5 mi · 11%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251)?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251) scores 22/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251) take?
Most backpackers hike the Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251) in about 6 days (5 nights out) over its 43.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251)?
The Pecos Skyline Trail (Trail 251) climbs roughly 5,581 ft total — about 129 ft per mile, topping out near 12,500 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.