Hike the Grand Slam in Pecos New Mexico

Pecos National Historical Park offers up the "grand slam" for hiking, which is a bit of a misnomer because they only have 3 trails and a grand slam indicates you would have completed 4 of something.

In order to achieve the "grand slam" you need to hike all 3 trails in one day, completing approximately 7.5 miles of hiking. The trails are the Ancient Sites Trail, the Glorieta Battlefield Trail, and the South Pasture Loop trail.

This isn't a difficult accomplishment unless you're going peak summer, as the trails are all mostly flat. The only difficulty might be sun exposure and rattlesnakes should you not hike during late fall or winter when temps are cool.

There is a strategy, though, because it has to be done on the weekends due to trail access restrictions.

I recommend starting at 8am when Pecos NHP opens. Speak to the Park Ranger about how to access the South Pasture Loop trail to hike first since it closes at 1pm and is the longest of the trails at 3.8 miles. Then I would ask the Park Ranger for directions and access (you need a gate code) to the Glorieta Battlefield trail, the 2nd longest trail, at 2.25 miles. Lastly, I would finish the "grand slam" with the Ancient Sites trail (1.25 miles).

Not only would I finish with the Ancient Sites trail because it's the shortest, but in my opinion it is the most interesting with the most to see. It also has the best views of the local area. I would very much recommend you hike the trail around sunset because the shadows cast beautifully off the old mission church and surrounding vegetation. You can see photos in my Ancient Sites trail adventure as well as published adventures of the other two trails. You also end at the Visitor Center.

I repeat:

1) South Pasture Loop trail

2) Glorieta Battlefield trail

3) Ancient Sites trail

Once you're done hiking, be sure to stop in the Visitor Center before they close to collect your Grand Slam sticker.