"Great hike - one of the most beautiful hikes ever! Enjoyed lunch on the peak. Quite windy and cool at the onset, but warmed up as we rose in elevation. Still cooler (and windy) in the valley on the way back down. " — rick-brown • Nov 10, 2021

"I am in the process of hiking 5 peaks on 4 different hikes that don’t really want to hike, so that I can hike 4 peaks that are part of the highest 179 peaks in New Mexico. I joined the scout troop that I was in as a boy as an adult Scouter Reserve, Troop 166, so that I could hike 5 peaks on Philmont Scout land. Even though I am an Eagle Scout, Philmont would not give me permission to hike peaks on their land unless I was part of BSA. Last October I got one of those peaks. The troop asked me to condition the scouts for hiking before we hike the 4 peaks that I need in mid-September. If I get those 4, I will only be 2 short on my goal of the highest 179 peaks in New Mexico. We met in the northwest parking lot of Saint John’s College at 7:30 AM on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Atalaya Mountain Trailhead and were hiking by about 7:50 AM. To my surprise we had 18 people hiking, 9 scouts and 9 adults. I was excited about the numbers that we had because as I am nearing the end of my “goal peaks,” I am hoping to pass my love of peakbagging, backpacking, and camping on to others. The starting elevation was about 7,340 feet. The trail drops a little into an arroyo then heads up. We progres..." — Phil-Robinson • Aug 14, 2021

"Drove all the way to the picnic grounds at Glorieta Baldy using FR-375. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. Do not attempt this road if its wet even with 4WD. Only portions are graveled all surface. Large ruts and holes indicate a muddy mess when wet. The Thompson Peak trail starts at the picnic area, north of the parking lot. The Glorieta Baldy fire tower is a hundred yards to the south, just follow the road up the hill. The trail to Thompson Peak is obvious for the most part. Once on the peak you will encounter a large rock cairn; this is not the highpoint. You must continue on past the cairn following the trail for another 2/10 mile; the trail descends into a saddle then back up to the actual summit, a very large rock cairn." — fredbrown585 • Oct 10, 2017

"This peak is easily accessible from the City of Santa Fe. Lots of trails in the area, most of which are signed. Three popular trailheads: St. John's TH, Dorothy Stewart TH and Wilderness Gate TH begin on or near St. John's College. I always use the Wilderness TH which is the closet to Atalaya Mountain. Problem is a small parking lot, only eight parking spots. If its full then just a 1/10 mile away is the Dorothy Stewart TH with four spots. If its full then you have to park at the St. John's TH which is about 7/10 mile further away. To get to these trailheads follow signs to St John's College (Old Santa Fe Trail to Camino Monte de Sol to Camino de Cruz Blanca). From the Wilderness Gate TH continue down the street (south) a short distance then east onto Camino de Cruz Blanca, into a gated residential area. Walk down the road for about a half mile to the forest service entrance. The Atalaya Trail is signed." — fredbrown585 • Oct 6, 2017

"The hike today completes the final 2, of the 22 peaks on the Santa Fe Classic’s list on peakery.com . For the most part I am only interested in peaks in New Mexico that are taller than 10,800, but I wanted to complete the list. I left my home, June 19, 2017, with my friend Jim at 6:45 AM. On Interstate 25 we took exit 299 in the town of Glorieta, headed east on highway 50, then north on CR 63A. CR63A turns into FR 375. It is about 12 miles from the start of CR 63A to Glorieta Baldy. We wanted to get more of a hike so we did not drive all the way to Baldy, rather stopped 2 miles, as the crow flies, east of the peak. Other trip reports said the road was very poor towards the end, but today the road grader was making a final sweep of the road. We passed him hiking. So as of this date, the dirt road is very good all the way to Baldy, but I can see that changing rapidly with monsoon rains. We started hiking at 8:45 at an elevation of 8650 feet. The hike started off cool and clear but quickly warmed up. It was a rich beautiful green forested hike with aspen, blue spruce, white fur, and wildflowers. We hiked up the road and I could see the top on my GPS so I shimmied up a hill. Jim wen..." — Phil-Robinson • Jun 19, 2017