The Fish & Game Outdoor Adventures Show was GREAT
Welcome to all the new subscribers! 👋
We had an excellent showing at the Fish & Game Outdoor Adventures Show February 13th to 15th. The volunteers were especially awesome, and got a free half-day rafting trip from Los Rios River Runners.
2026 Goals and Projects
This is up on the website. Highlights are:
The purpose of the SF2T Trail is to create champions for wilderness and nature.
We’re offering guided hikes (you learned about that in the last issue)
Increasing volunteer participation, conservation projects, guided hikes, and partnerships and outreach are my primary goals for the year.
There is also a new Frequently Asked Questions page on the website.
The first edition of the guidebook is no longer available on the SF2T website
All orders placed between now and April 27th will be held and then shipped on April 27th when the 2nd edition is released.
The first edition of the guidebook is still available on Amazon. Not sure how long I’ll leave it up there. Some local booksellers (Travel Bug and Collected Works in Santa Fe, Taos Mountain Outfitters in Taos) may have a few copies of the first edition left.
Anyone who becomes a SF2T member between now and April 27th has the option of requesting a first edition. Or they can wait for the 2nd edition. Or they can get an epub or pdf of the first edition.
I am asking the Rio Grande Trail Commission to reconsider incorporating the SF2T Trail route into their proposal
Some of you may have heard of the Rio Grande Trail project — described as “a continuous multi-use trail stretching over 500 miles along the Rio Grande, from Colorado to Texas.” The project was authorized in 2005 and remains in development.
Last year, representatives of the Rio Grande Trail Commission approached me about incorporating the Santa Fe to Taos Trail alignment into their proposal between Santa Fe and Taos. After discussions, I communicated that I do not believe incorporating the SF2T alignment into the RGT is appropriate.
The Santa Fe to Taos Trail was independently scouted and developed over the past decade with a specific stewardship vision: to create champions for wilderness and nature. It already has an established identity, community, guidebook, volunteer base, and conservation framework.
The current Rio Grande Trail alignment options include substantial overlap with the SF2T route. At present, the SF2T Trail and its stewardship structure are not reflected in the RGT alignment materials.
I have serious concerns about incorporating the SF2T route into a multi-use, statewide trail designation for several reasons:
Overuse and ecological capacity: The SF2T is already experiencing rapid growth. Increased traffic — especially multi-use traffic — could strain sensitive alpine lakes and riparian corridors.
Use compatibility: Bicycles are not permitted in the Pecos Wilderness, and some sections near Santa Fe are not designed for mixed high-volume bike and foot traffic.
Existing conflict areas: Sections such as Winsor Trail already experience friction between user groups. Increasing designation-driven traffic may intensify those conflicts.
Mission integrity: The SF2T was built around a specific stewardship model and conservation ethos. Incorporating it into a broader multi-use corridor could alter its character and long-term management trajectory.
The Rio Grande Trail Commission is currently accepting public input on alignment options between Santa Fe and Taos. If you care about sustainable trail design, ecological protection, and thoughtful route planning, I encourage you to participate in that survey and share your perspective. I believe the most appropriate option would be using the Eastern (Teal) alignment below Big Tesuque Campground, and the Western (Purple) alignment north of Big Tesuque Campground.
In particular, I believe it is important to adjust the alignment so that it fulfills the original vision of the Rio Grande Trail and remains closer to the Rio Grande corridor while avoiding sensitive sections of the existing SF2T route, including the southern Winsor Trail and Camino Pequeno areas.
I believe it’s important to speak up while the alignment is still under consideration.
I will share updates as this develops. I welcome your feedback.
Pam Neely,
Creator and Founder of the Santa Fe to Taos Trail
PS: As part of my ongoing efforts to minimize overuse and protect the long-term sustainability of the SF2T Trail, I have reached an understanding with a major publisher of long-distance trail information that they will no longer publish information about the SF2T.
PPS: If you’ve noticed, yes - I changed the name of the trail from “The Santa Fe to Taos Thru-Hike” to “The Santa Fe to Taos Trail”. This is to nudge it away from being a thru-hike and to nudge it toward being a pilgrimage. Or - the term I’m liking most at the moment - a stroll. The name still isn’t right, but it’s better.
