The Perfect Moody Forest
Thick snow, evergreen trees, winter sunshine, and fresh air. The Lincoln National Forest in Alamogordo, NM will make you feel serene and refreshed. The scenic views and trails are great for exploring nature and experiencing life in the mountains. This forest is for my fellow mountain-lovers.
All photos are original and captured by me!
The beginning of the Osha Trail at Lincoln National Forest, Alamogordo, NM.
Personal Experience
From the base of the mountains in Alamogordo, NM, I traveled upwards closer to the mountain tops near Cloudcroft, NM. The drive took about 20-25 minutes to reach the Osha Trailhead. There are several trails, bridges, and waterfalls across the forest, but Osha Trailhead captured my interest, being one of the highest trails above sea level (elev. 8000+ feet). Finding the trailhead was tricky at first because there was so much visual stimuli that we missed the turn, which appears quickly on the side of the road. The beginning of the trail was scattered with miniature snowmen and we were welcomed by a scenic overlook that came sooner than expected! Over the entire forest you could get a glimpse of the White Sands National Monument from the other side of Alamogordo. This view was so stunning and it was perplexing to think about us hiking in the snow while the sand dunes rest only miles away. Only minutes after passing the overlook, we found two tree huts and a geocache box. The huts made a fun pit stop and the geocache was very personal and sweet (I won’t tell you where it is!). After awhile of hiking, we reached a second overlook that felt like it preached us on top of the entire forest. We could see miles and miles of trees and greenery. We stopped here for awhile and soaked in the view. One of my favorite moments during our hike was when we came across a wide open field of fresh, pillowy snow. My dog Tesona loved running through the openness and occasionally face-planting, bouncing back up with excitement. This area felt like it belonged in a movie or a picture book. We felt so much admiration and awe for the nature that engulfed us.
Due to our frequent stops to stare at the bewildering scenery, our hike lasted almost 3 hours. Spending all this time outdoors made us hungry, peaceful, and relaxed. After driving down the mountain, watching the beautiful scenery pass us once again, we found ourselves at our motel, eating spiced oatmeal and napping like burrowed winter animals.
Weather & Terrain
I traveled to the Lincoln National Forest in early January, 2022. Temperatures resided near 40-30 degrees Fahrenheit with bountiful snow, inches deep. Thankfully, the roadways were completely clear of ice and snow, making the scenic drive up extremely enjoyable. There were clear signs posted for the trailheads, but we did drive beyond the trail at first because we were so in awe of our surroundings. There was parking off the side of the road at the Osha Trailhead, and can assume there are personal lots for each trail.
The Osha Trail (2.5mi) was a moderate loop hike, reaching scenic overlooks and open fields of snow. The beginning of the trail provides such a beautiful sight, stretching far across Alamogordo to where you can see the White Sands National Monument on the opposite side of town! This was especially breathtaking. After this overlook, the trail is relaxing and easy to walk as it weaves you through the thick of the forest. After about a mile, the trail thins out and hangs over drop offs, but definitely not as steep as a cliff. (Please note the trails are probably thinner with the snow confiding it to a certain path, compared to seasons when the snow has melted). I lacked proper footwear for hiking in the snow which made me slip and slide a lot, but those who hike in the snow often or own specialized shoes can certainly tackle this trail with ease.
There is a second scenic overlook on this trail! This overlook gives you a glimpse of the mountain range and endless forest. The thinness of the trail comes to an end with a wide open field bordered with trees. This field marks the loop of the Osha Trail, bringing us back around to the trailhead. The loop begins with an inclined trail that thins out once more, but eventually levels out to a broader path. After this, you are rerouted to the beginning of the Osha Trail where you can see the first overlook once more.
Overall, this path is clearly marked with little to no natural obstacles. The Osha Trail is suitable for beginners and those who prefer routes with scenic overlooks. The snow was tricky at times due to improper footwear, but those with proper shoes will encounter less slipping and sliding. Both scenic overlooks were absolutely breathtaking and the inner-forest was incredibly serene and refreshing. My dog (German Shephard) followed along easily and thoroughly enjoyed it!
First overlook on Osha Trail where you can see the White Sands National Monument.
Visitor Info
Admission to the Lincoln National Forest is free and dogs are allowed on the trails as long as they’re leashed. We never found a physical map available for the forest, so I would recommend scouting out your trails online before venturing out.
We came across tree huts that were off the beaten path, as well as a geocache box. If you enjoy taking your hike explorations a little further, I would recommend keeping your eyes pealed for these huts and other hidden treasures as long as you’re confident in your hiking and directional abilities, as well as practicing safe hiking techniques!
Overview
Our time spent at Lincoln National Forest was unlike any other trip. The magical mood of the forest and snow made our hike feel surreal. The two scenic overlooks were unbelievably beautiful and more than we anticipated. Fellow hikers were easygoing and the Osha Trail was extremely pet-friendly. The trails were clearly defined with posts and markers, and finding the tree huts and geocache was an unexpected bonus. This forest is calling all mountain-lovers, and you must go!
Me and Tesona at the second overlook on Osha Trail, Lincoln National Forest, Alamogordo, NM.
