Kitchen Mesa Trail at Ghost Ranch is a 3.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near El Rito, New Mexico that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Note: this is part of Ghost Ranch, which charges a $10/person visitor fee good for all trails. Ghost Ranch is following current NM COVID guidelines, so if you’re not a NM resident, you need to be able to prove you entered the state 14+ days ago. Worth calling ahead to confirm a reservation and ask what you need to show in order to be let in.
November 22, 2020November 14, 2020November 12, 2020Though I can’t speak to the whole hike, I love what i have been able to experience on this hike. Being in the basin(?) of the mesa is wonderful, gorgeous, fun, and easy. I usually stop below the scramble to sit and enjoy the view from there, thus avoiding any head on confrontation of my fear of heights. Lovely hike.
November 3, 2020you need proof of a 14 day quarantine in new Mexico if you're coming from a high rate covid state like CO
October 20, 2020My two teenagers and I hiked this trail about a week ago. It's well marked and very beautiful, but we didn't make it all the way to the top of the mesa. The last 15-20 feet of the rock scramble is straight up the side of a cliff. We probably could've made it up, but I was more worried about trying to climb back down. If there had been a rope or something we probably would've given it a try. Even so, the views on the way up are gorgeous and well worth the trip. Note that this trail is inside Ghost Ranch, and there is an admissions fee of $10pp that has to be paid at the visitor center upon arrival, and currently access is restricted to NM residents only. Parking is restricted to the visitor center lot, so there's a walk of about half a mile to get to the trailhead from there.
October 14, 2020Amazingly beautiful. Could have stayed out there for many more hours to enjoy the views. Didn’t get to go all the way to the end because of time constraints.
August 30, 2020Fear of heights at the last scramble up to the mesa top :(
July 12, 2020Beautiful scenery and hike. Gorgeous views from the top. Recommended in non hot hours since big part of the trail has no shade.
June 15, 2020I’ve done this hike a few times and it’s really beautiful, especially for any Georgia O’Keeffe fan. Very hot and exposed, so bring lots of water.
January 28, 2020January 13, 2020good day hike. some snow and mud, but the mud was more slippery than the snow. the notch/ chute was about as technical as I like to get. the views up top are worth it
December 24, 2019Amazing views! We did this hike with our 5 and 3 year olds and they did pretty well though it is steep and narrow in some areas.
November 18, 2019Great hike. Great views. Follow the cans and the cairns. The slot you climb up is a bit sketchy and scrambly but fine for good hikers. Even if you turn around here the hike to this point is beautiful through the canyon and worth doing. After the slot the trail heads onto the salt Mesa. This hike is not a loop. There is no way down from the salt Mesa so enjoy the view and take care coming back through the slot area.
October 15, 2019Started out at 10.30 on Monday morning, didn't see another person all the way up - had the entire Mesa to myself. Breathtaking.
October 14, 2019Wow what a great hike! Amazing views, a good rock scramble and did I mention the views! Not an easy climb to get on top of the Mesa but if you can do it then definitely go! No shade, we went in October and the temps were perfect.
