The Tres Pistoles trail is an excellent winter trail, because it faces south---snow melts quickly from it. You can get a good workout by doing the trail quickly (as some runners do), or you can take it more slowly, looking at the views south and the plant and animal life.

If you set up a car at each end, you can hike down the Embudo trail.

The trail starts off flat and climbing gently. Note the clouds in this photo (and most of the rest of the photos on this page). It rained shortly after we finished the hike, and while it is blue here, it will be overcast and lowering by the end.

Initially, the trail is open, and amongst oak, piñon, juniper, cholla, and yucca.

After slightly more than half a mile, you come to the wilderness boundary. At this point, the Hawk Watch trail takes off to the right to the migration count site. Do not take this trail, but instead continue straight.

Note how the prickly pear cactus turn a red or purple color when it is cold. It also looks like somebody has been eating this one.

While most of the trail is the pink-orange of granite, keep your eyes open. We saw green rocks and this white one.

Diana noticed the interesting colors of lichen, contrasted with the rock and the beargrass.

As you climb, you begin to get nice views to the south. You can see the telescope domes of the Starfire Optical Range from this trail.

After 1.55 miles of hiking, you will see this trail marker. I guess at some time in the past, the trail was indistinct here. Go left; the trail is obvious.

At 1.64 miles into the hike, you come to another trail marker. This one marks the junction between the trail that heads to the spring and the trail that continues up to meet the Embudo trail. Take the right branch initially; you will be back here after visiting the spring.

In this photo, the trail to the spring is heading off to the right of the piñon.

After about a 15 minute walk, you arrive at the spring. When you are done looking at it and the area, return back to the main trail.

Back at the junction, turn right to continue to the junction with the Embudo trail.

In the wintertime, you will often see snow in the shadows.

You can see this (dry) waterfall for much of the hike. It would be interesting to see it running. Then again, if it is running, you may be getting very wet also. This photo was from our 2002 hike.

After about 2.75 miles of hiking, you see the first ponderosa pine. It is a sign that you are nearing the junction with the Embudo trail.

At 2.81 miles, you meet the Embudo trail.

You have the good views as you head back down the trail. One of them is to be able to see the trail where you started.