Category Archives: Camping

Activity: trips with camping.

Basin Trail #247 Hike – 03/23/2021

April 16, 2021

This is the 3rd post for a 5-day camping and hiking trip to the Chiricahua Mountains with our friends Jay and Nancy. Having taken a short walk on the Cave Creek Nature Trail the day we arrived at the Stewart Campground (post #1), then the Over the Ridge to Paradise Hike the next day (post #2). There are a number of trails from which to choose, but on this 3rd day in Cave Creek Canyon we chose another point-to-point hike, a portion of Basin Trail #247.

The Drive In

As for the Over the Ridge hike, we first left a car at the end-of-hike trailhead, then drove to the start-of-hike trailhead.

For the end-of-hike trailhead: From Stewart Campground, drive west on FR 42 until just past the Southwestern Research Station, where turn left onto FR 42A towards the Herb Martyr Campground. This is a primitive campground (tents only, although there was a small pop-up camper set up down a short rough road); there is ample parking for the trails that emanate from here.
For the start-of-hike trailhead: From Herb Martyr, on FR 42A return to FR 42, turn left at the Research Station and continue for 2.7 miles, 1.5 miles beyond the trailhead for the Over the Ridge hike. There is a parking are a bit off of FR 42 to the left, and a sign for the “Basin Trail No 247”.

The Hike

Basin Trail #247 Hike.PatJayNancy.2021-03-23

We chose a north-to-south hike so that we would have the ascending portion of the trail to start and the longer downhill portion to finish. Most of the trail easy easy to follow, well used. It proceeds through open piñon and juniper forest, with a a few switchbacks during the 500′ climb to the highest point on the trail (1.1 miles). Once crossing over the ridge, the trail becomes a bit more rocky (still well used, easy to follow) and one leaves the forest for more open, desert-like landscape.

The next .7 miles is an easy descent with some switchbacks, then the trail follows the contour of the terrain for 1.2 miles. From these portions of the trail, the views of this of the southeastern Chiricahuas are really great. Then the trail makes an easy descent for the next .8 miles with a wide variety of desert plants: lots of yucca, cholla, varieties of cacti, agave, manzanita, and other scrub bushes.

The maps and GPS tracks I was following tracked well the trail as we found it. However, nearing what we thought was the end, a combination of inconsistent GPS tracks and trailside signs created some confusion. At one point, where the trail intersected a two-track, there was a sign pointing down the two-track. My interpretation of the map – that would lead us to FR 42A a half mile or so from where our vehicle was parked, then nearly a half mile walk up the road. It appeared to me we could avoid the road by continuing across the two-track onto a continuation of -a- trail (which one?). After some indecisiveness, we chose the trail. The choice made for a somewhat longer hike, but it was easy ambulating and led us to the parking area. This was a great hike.

Note: After-the-fact reviews of GPS tracks that I had collected, it became apparent that we had stumbled onto another trail published widely, the the Ash Spring Loop.

Highlight

A highlight of this trail was the varied plants and especially the agave that we passed all along the descending portion of the trial. I was taken back to our visits in Oaxaca where agave abound (and are -the- ingredient in Oaxaca’s special spirit – mezcal).

The Drive Out

We enjoyed a 3rd night camping, ‘tho like the night before, it was a bit chilly and … during the night wet weather set in with drizzling rain, sometimes mixed with soft popcorn snow. Jay & Nancy needed to get home, so they headed out into iffy weather and road conditions. Not wishing to face possibly poor road conditions, Pat & I chose to remain in Stewart for another day. The weather in the area remained drizzly, and at higher elevations – snowy. That did make for some beautiful scenes, looking at snow-capped mountains, — here in extreme southeastern Arizona —.

For our lay-day, we drove back towards Rodeo and visited the Chiricahua Desert Museum – what an amazing museum to find in this remote location. It’s focus is on rattlesnakes with a few turtles, many alive. The display cases recreated the natural habitat of the snakes with a quality that I would compare to the Smithsonian’s. In addition, they have a collection of artifacts from the tribes local to the Chiricahua and Peloncillo Mountains. And the gift shop is excellent. — And next door is the Geronimo Event Center where very well done posters gave an excellent review of the history of the the Apaches in this area, especially the famous Apache leader Geronimo. These are must-see as part of a trip into this “remote” part of New Mexico.

A note here about “services” in the area.

Cell phone service is spotty, even out on the plains beyond Portal towards Rodeo, and in Rodeo as well.
WiFi service is available at the Portal Peak Lodge Store & Cafe; an ‘open’ WiFi is available, but if you eat there ask for the password for their secure WiFi – that worked quite well (even when we stopped on the way through Portal and parked in front of the Store.
“Essentials” that one might need (didn’t bring or ran out): The Portal Peak Store has a limited selection. However, a much larger inventory is available back towards Rodeo, at the Sky Island Grill and Grocery.
Eating Out: sandwiches, pizza, and a limited selection of beer are available at the Portal Peak Cafe; we had lunch there when Jay & Nancy arrived on the 1st day. A larger menu is offered by the Sky Island Grill.

After a night in Stewart Campground with rain and snow continuing, the weather cleared in the morning and we set out for home; leaving Cave Creek Canyon we looked back to see the Chiricahuas covered in snow – what a beautiful site. We planned to split the trip over 2 days, to spend a night near Truth or Consequence. After some research, we settled on the South Monticello Campground where we could make reservations. The site overlooks the northern end of Elephant Butte Lake with well designed and well kept campsites. The sites are spaced far apart, good because the surroundings are quite open – no forest here.

The next day, driving up I-25 we were surprised to see snow on all the “mountain islands” – the San Mateos, the Magdalenas, even Ladrone, and the Manzanos.

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.52 miles
Elevation: start 6,246 ft, maximum 6,704 ft, minimum 5,825 ft
Gross gain: 458 ft, Aggregate ascending 1,143 ft, descending 1,563 ft
Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 25% descending, 7.5% average
Duration: 5:17

GPS Track Files for Download
Basin Trail #247 Hike.PatJayNancy.2021-03-23 (KML)	66 Downloads
Basin Trail #247 Hike.PatJayNancy.2021-03-23 (GPX)	189 Downloads
Basin Trail #247 Drivearound.PatJayNancy.2021-03-23 (KML)	62 Downloads
Basin Trail #247 Drivearound.PatJayNancy.2021-03-23 (GPX)	65 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

Cave Creek Nature Trail Walk – 03/21/2021
Over the Ridge to Paradise Hike – 03/22/2021

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Basin Trail #600
Blogging from the Boot Heel: Basin Trail
TrailForks: Basin Trail #600

Chiricahua Desert Museum, and check out their Facebook space
Portal Peak Lodge Store & Cafe
Sky Islands Grill & Grocery

Jay's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show

Karr Canyon Road Hike – 11/01/2020

November 18, 2020

This is our 2nd hike on a 3-night camping trip to the area near White Sands with friends Jay and Nancy. We camped at the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, with campsites affording superb views of the Tularosa Basin to the west (with a glimpse of White Sands 17 miles distant) and the Sacramento Mountains rising from the campground to the east. We chose this weekend to be on hand at White Sands to see the rise of the Blue Moon.

The Drive In

For a description of the drive from Albuquerque, see the post from the 1st hike: Dog Canyon Trail Hike – 10-/31/2020. As for the drive to this day’s hike: From Oliver Lee return to Alamagordo, then continue north on US 54 – we took the bypass to avoid downtown Alamagordo. At the end of the bypass, continue straight ahead onto US 82 towards Cloudcroft. In Cloudcroft, turn right off of US 82 onto NM 130, then in 1.3 miles turn right onto NM 6563 (Sunspot Highway).

Our original plan was to hike the Upper Karr Canyon Trail, but arriving at the entrance to the Recreation Area we found it closed. So we retraced our drive towards Cloudcraft, parking at one of the 4 trailheads identified with the Rim Trail; this is about 3.1 miles from the NM130-NM6563 intersection. On the west side of the road, across the roadside ditch and behind a few trees there is parking for 4 or 5 vehicles.

The Hike

Karr Canyon Road Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-11-01

So, we started at the Rim Trail trailhead Parking 3, or so we thought. From the parking area a very nice two-track headed off into the woods. Soon we were surprised to come across snow in the shaded areas. About a mile on we came across a sign that confused us – it showed the Rim Trail going back/left and forward/right, and Karr-C Road FR 636 going left and right. Not sure, we decided to continue on the very nice two-track.

Note: Later, when I reviewed maps, etc., I concluded that we had missed the Rim Trail at the parking lot; the clue was the ‘dotted line’ on USGS Topo maps. -The- Rim Trail follows somewhat parallel to FR 636 and crosses it at this intersection, continuing north to Rim Trail trailhead #2.

The two-track, FR 636, continues for another mile through mixed conifer forest. At a couple of places we had a view across the valleys and foothills of the eastern slopes Sacramento Mountains. From the tracks it is used occasionally so is in good condition with gentle slopes, 200 feet elevation gain in the first half mile, then descending 280 feet in the next 1.5 miles. At the end of the road, where the ridge ends before descending quickly into Tucker Canyon, we discovered a large camping tent – thought it might be hunters. … On the way back to the truck we did come across a gaggle of half dozen or so deer.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.0 miles
Elevation: start 8,925 ft, maximum 9,127 ft, minimum 8,837 ft
Gross gain: 290 ft. Aggregate ascending 851 ft, descending 851 ft
Maximum slope: 32% ascending, 29% descending, 7.2% average
Duration: 2:54

Karr Canyon Road Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-11-01 (KML)	78 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Karr Canyon Road Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-11-01 (GPX)	111 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Rim Trail (T105)
Rim Trail (PDF)
National Park Service: America’s National Trails System
AllTrails: National Recreation Rim Trail (Trail 105)
Rim Trail: Sections 1 and 2
TripAdvisor: Rim Trail (lots of comments)
American Trails: National Recreation Trails

Jay's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show

Dog Canyon Trail Hike – 10/31/2020

November 13, 2020

This is our first hike on a 3-night camping trip to the area near White Sands with friends Jay and Nancy. We camped at the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, with campsites affording superb views of the Tularosa Basin to the west (with a glimpse of White Sands 17 miles distant) and the Sacramento Mountains rising from the campground to the east. We chose this weekend to be on hand at White Sands to see the rise of the Blue Moon.

The Drive In

The drive from Albuquerque is some 224 miles, close to 4 hours enroute. We drove south on I-25 to San Antonio, the east on US 380 to Alamagordo. Sixty miles from San Antonio, we stopped at the Valley of Fires Recreation Area for lunch and a view of this large area of malpais (lava flow).

Continuing another 5 miles, we turned south on US Hwy 54, through Alamagordo, and 11 miles further to Dog Canyon Road, turn east for 4 miles to the Oliver Lee State Park and Campground.

The Campground & Camping

Oliver Lee has a mixture of campsites, some with hookups, others with tent pads (many of which also have space enough for small campers like our 17′ R-Pod); reservations are required. The campsites are spaced nicely apart; there are water hydrants near each of them; there are a couple of pit toilets scattered about plus a building with running water (toilets and showers, ‘tho in these times of Covid the showers are closed). There is also a Visitors Center with a small museum (also closed on account of Covid) and adjoining Riparian Nature Trail and Frenchy’s Cabin.

The campground is on the gentle slope between the flat and level Tularosa Basin and the quickly-rising Sacramento Mountains. Thus the views from nearly all the campsites are really great. The area is open desert – no trees, only small shrubs (many with very nasty thorns) and cactus – no place to go bushwhacking. We enjoyed all 3 nights of camping there, starting with a nice fire on the first night (we brought our own firewood).

The Hike

Dog Canyon Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-10-31

We began the hike at our campsites, proceeded to the trailhead located behind the Visitors Center. The trail starts with a quick elevation gain, steep and very rocky. When not loose rock, the trail traverses a solid rock surface with a steep slope; happily this type of rock affords a good grip for the boots – no sliding. In many places rocks form a staircase (yes, it is that steep) and in a few spots a handhold was required.

That describes the trail for the first 3/5ths of a mile and 500 feet elevation gain. This brought us to what the map at the trailhead labeled the “First Bench”. From here trail is quite level and, tho’ rocky, is much easier to ambulate, easy enough to look around and enjoy the scenery. Behind us (to the west) we had a view down Dog Canyon and across the Tularosa Basin to White Sands and the San Andres and Organ Mountains beyond. At times the trail approached the edge of the Bench providing a good look down into the canyon proper, 400′ to the bottom. And across the canyon and up towards the crest of these Sacramento Mountains, steep slopes and sheer cliff faces from the canyon floor at 5,000 feet elevation to 7,000 feet.

Having done what seemed like a lot of difficult elevation gain getting up to the Bench, at 1.7 miles into the hike we stopped for lunch, then headed back to the campground. On the ascent, because of the steep slope and rocky surface, I was concerned about the difficulties of descending on such a trail. It was no problem, easier than I thought it might be.

Jay here: I had high hopes that we could make it all the way to Frenchy’s line camp, but this was a more strenuous hike than I anticipated. Still, it was most enjoyable and far different than our hiking in the Jemez, Sandias, Sangre de Cristos, or even Ojito. The area is considered part of the Chihuahuan Desert, so the vegetation is quite different from the Northern half of New Mexico and the landscape more stark. Loads of ocotillo and more types of cactus than what we normally see. The 400′ drop of the Bench tested my vertigo and the steep portions with rocky descent has me on my butt for a while, but all in all it was a great hike.

Highlight

After the hike, we packed up fixings for supper and headed to White Sands National Park, to be there when the Blue Moon rose over the Sacramento Mountains. The ‘sand’scape is quite amazing, driving through the pure white sand dunes, 10’ to 15 feet high all around. We settled on a parking area at the west end of the loop road, then explored the nearby dunes. Not to be outdone by other groups having a good time, we picked up a couple of frisbees and tried to regain some skill in tossing them back and forth.

As sunset approached, the light began to change as the sun descended through thin clouds over the San Andres Mountains to the west. The white sand dunes created an eerie scene in the subdued light , then the red color of the sunset took over the sky all around (yes, in these open spaces sunsets are spectacular for 360 degrees around). We then waited for the Blue Moon to rise over the Sacramento Mountains (we could not stay long since the park closed at 8:00).

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.39 miles
Elevation: start 4,316 ft, maximum 5,013 ft, minimum 4,316 ft
Gross gain: 697 ft. Aggregate ascending 952 ft, descending 951 ft
Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 38% descending, 09.1 % average
Duration: 3:42

GPS Tracks

Dog Canyon Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-10-31 (KML)	68 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Dog Canyon Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-10-31 (GPX)	69 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

References and Resources

New Mexico State Parks: Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
USDA Forest Service: Dog Canyon Trail (T106)
White Sands National Park
AllTrails: Dog Canyon Trail 106
Hiking Project: Dog Canyon Trail (T106)
TinyShinyHome: Hiking The Dog Canyon Trail etc. – Great Photos and Description
Wikipedia: Oliver Lee (New Mexico)
White Sands National Park
A Dangerous Business: … Visiting White Sands National Park – an excellent article
Roswell Daily Record: Quiet and reclusive, Frenchy was one of the bravest men in the Southwest
NM Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources: Oliver Lee Memorial (PDF)

Jay's Photos with captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show

George's Photos with captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show

Las Conchas Trail Hike – 10/15/2020

October 25, 2020

The 3rd day of a camping trip in the Jemez Mountains with the R-Pod at the Jemez Falls Campground. After two days of longer hikes, we planned this to be an easy one. We chose to explore the canyon of the East Fork Jemez River for which we had no references about it’s traversability.

The Drive In

We parked at the Las Conchas picnicking and fishing area, where the River crosses under the highway to the south of NM 4. (This is a quarter mile east of the Las Conchas Trailhead, and is a favorite place for rock climbers to practice climbing on the rock face just east of the parking area.)

The Hike

We first headed directly the stream from the parking lot. A couple of hundred yards along we faced the end of any path in that direction on this south side of the stream, but we noticed signs of a trail on the other side. Backtracking west beyond the picnic area we discovered a way to get across and onto the trail.For some distance the canyon was wide enough for both the stream and a trail. But then we encountered rocks over which we had to climb. Soon we encountered a sheer cliff that extended down to the water. This required crossing the stream; fortunately there were a couple of ways across including a 2×8 board. After crossing, we continued on the south side of the stream until encountering another cliff-to-stream, this time without a means of crossing without wading.

Since we had not planned for a full hike (we didn’t even bring our packs), we turned back promising that we would come back here again. Upon reaching a point opposite the east end of the picnic area, we took the chance of crossing on rocks in the stream – neither of us slipped or lost our balance and succeeded in returning the the picnic/fishing area.

Statistics

Total Distance: 1.07 miles
Elevation: start 8,426 ft, maximum 8,500 ft, minimum 8,410 ft
Gross gain: 90 ft. Aggregate ascending 537 ft, descending 534 ft
Maximum slope: 66% ascending, 65% descending, 14% average
Duration: 1:10

Las Conchas-East Hike.Pat.2020-10-15 (KML)	79 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Las Conchas-East Hike.Pat.2020-10-15 (GPX)	65 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

References and Resources

Summit Post: Las Conchas, Jemez
Mountain Project: Las Conchas Rock Climbing

George's Photos with captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show

Hidden Valley Trail Hike – 10/14/2020

October 24, 2020

Our second hike during a 3-day camping trip in the Jemez Mountains, at the Jemez Falls Campground. After a longer hike the day before, we chose this easier hike from Coco Rae’s book “Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve”. We were not disappointed – it was a great trail.

The Drive In

The trail begins at a two-track to the left of the main road into Valles Caldera, about half way to the Visitors Center. Parking is alongside the road, near the two-track with a cable blocking vehicle traffic. ‘Tho it isn’t visible from the parking place, the Missing Cabin is just over the ridge at the end of the two-track.

The Hike

Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-14

The hike begins with a climb over a cable (or go around it) that blocks vehicle access, and a gentle ascent to the top of a ridge. Nearing the top Missing Cabin comes into view, to further accent the views all around – the grasses of the slope east into Valle Grande and across the Valle, and north and west to the East Fork Jemez River that is flowing out the the Valle into it’s canyon and South Mountain beyond. Then skirting a grove of fir on the left, one intercepts the River and continues along the flowing stream. The trail since the two-track is a well worn path through knee high grass – easy walking.

For the next half mile the trail follows the river, crossing to the north side on a log nicely locate there for our use. At about a 1.5 miles into the hike the trail enters the East Fork canyon with rocks forming the edge of the canyon on one side or the other. The trail continues to be -easy walking- in a beautiful surrounding. And stream burbling along over rocky sections adding to the ambience.

After a stop for our mid-hike break we headed back to the Tacoma with wonderful memories of the Hidden Valley Trail.

Highlight

First, the view across Valles Grande as the trail tops the ridge and passes the Missing Cabin, is truly awesome, the nearly 4 miles across the totally open space of Valles Grande to the far edge of the Valle. And 5 miles beyond that to the eastern rim of the Caldera.

Second, the lush valley of the East Fork Jemez River even in dry time of autumn. The stream continues to flow, the grasses tho’ in their autumn brown are lush, and the fir and ponderosa trees are so healthy. This -is- a gem of a hike!

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.15 miles
Elevation: start 8,544 ft, maximum 8,592 ft, minimum 8,463 ft
Gross gain: 129 ft. Aggregate ascending 848 ft, descending 848 ft
Maximum slope: 45% ascending, 52% descending, 5.2% average
Duration: 4:43

GPS Track Files for Download
Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-14 (KML)	167 Downloads
Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-14 (GPX)	99 Downloads

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike – 10/13/2020

October 23, 2020

We have enjoyed very much hiking in and around Valles Caldera this year. With more research, and in particular Coco Rae’s recently published book, “Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve”,we are finding places “off the beaten path”. For our first hike during this 3-night camping trip (R-Pod to Jemez Falls Campground), we were intrigued by the description of “.. otherworldly sulfur fields to pretty creek-lined meadows ..” in the Sulphur and Alamo Canyons.

The Drive In

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Drivein.Pat.2020-10-13

The drive to the trailhead, also the western boundary of the Valles Caldera Preserve, turn north off of NM 4 at milepost 27, onto Sulphur Creek Road. The trailhead is about 2.25 miles from the turn off of NM 4 on a decent Class 3-4 road. (A sign at the turnoff points the way to Forest Road 105.) Some 200 yards from NM 4, at a ‘Y’ in the road, take the leg to the right; another sign points you along to FR 105. (For the first 3+ miles the road passes through an area of private property – Sulphur Creek Road. Once entering Forest Service property the road becomes FR 105.) A gate closes the road where it enters into the Valles Caldera National Preserve. There is sufficient parking alongside the road for up to a half dozen cars.

The Hike

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike.Pat.2020-10-13

This hike is on a two-track for its full length. Through Sulphur Canyon it presents a steady moderate ascent. The surface is gravel and rock typical of a two-track in active use – it has seen heavy use recently as a crew has been thinning the forest along the road. After turning into Alamo Canyon the road is less used, in some places covered over with grass.

<span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>A place of interest to us was an area a half a mile into the hike: an area with “.. geothermal features like mud-pots and fumaroles ..”. It was a sulfur mine early in the 20th century, then a health spa through 1970, and in the 1980s a site experimenting with geothermal wells for energy production.

Bath house and Office for Sulphur Canyon Spa.

We knew we were approaching the area because of the smell of hydrogen sulfide. We explored the area with its numerous mud-pots and fumaroles, intrigued by the bubbling “froth” in a half dozen small mud-pots. And scattered around the area were relics from those past activities.

Our hike continued up the two-track following Sulphur Creek; we flushed a turkey from deep grass a half mile on. This part of the hike was very pleasant until, that is, we neared the turn into Alamo Canyon – the noise from the chain saws of thinning crews disturbed the quiet of the wilderness.

Turning right into Alamo Canyon, we passed another area of geothermal activity. It opened up into a wide valley for the first mile with great view of Redondo Border to the southeast. About half a mile on we came to the first of 3 ponds in the canyon. These are quite interesting with geothermal activity in one corner of the ponds. Most of the water in the pond was crystal clear revealing a shallow muddy bottom. Large areas of the ponds were covered with a purple “scum”, a plant we suppose that thrives on the sulfur content of water from the geothermal activity. In one corner or along one edge of each pond the water was a milky white with bubbling gas scattered about.

And such was the situation for each of the 3 ponds. This was such a pleasant hike that we discovered we had gone beyond our usual distance without realizing it. We found some shade, enjoyed our lunch, and returned to the Tacoma continuing to enjoy the autumn colors.

Statistics

Total Distance: 7.18 miles
Elevation: start 8,143 ft, maximum 8,879 ft, 8,112 minimum ft
Gross 767 gain: ft. Aggregate ascending 1,381 ft, descending 1,394 ft
Maximum slope: 24% ascending, 43% descending, 5.5% average
Duration: 5:32

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Drivein.Pat.2020-10-13 (KML)	93 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Drivein.Pat.2020-10-13 (GPX)	152 Downloads
Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike.Pat.2020-10-13 (KML)	80 Downloads
Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike.Pat.2020-10-13 (GPX)	127 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

References and Resources

National Park Service: Valles Caldera National Preserve Acquires Property with Unique Volcanic Features
Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve, Coco Rae,a
Dog of the Desert: Sulphur and Alamo Canyons in the Valles Caldera
Prime Passages: A Hike in Alamo Canyon (**excellent info on Valles Caldera and hiking there)
Natural Atlas: Sulphur Creek
OpenEI: Valles Caldera – Sulphur Springs Geothermal Area
The Great Desert: Geolgy …: Sulphur Springs
YouTube: Sulphur and Alamo Canyons in the Valles Caldera (video)

Pat's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Las Conchas Trail Plus East Fork Jemez River Trail Hike – 09/23/2020

October 4, 2020

This was our third hike on a 5-day camping trip to the Jemez Mountains with our R-Pod at Jemez Falls Campground. ‘Tis a quite nice campground central in the Jemez Mountains and close to the Valles Caldera. There are many great hiking trails nearby, both “formal” (established by USFS or someone) and informal (hikes that we’ve taken through interesting canyons and atop mesas).

The Drive In

From the campground, drive east on NM 4 for 4.5 miles, the 1st bridge over the Jemez River where you will find a 10-car parking lot on the left (north). The trail begins at this parking lot.

The Hike

This was a return to the Las Conchas Trail for Pat and me (see Previous Posts below). It is such a lovely trail following the East Fork of the Jemez River. The flowing stream is bounded on each side by steep slopes and cliffs, and the valley bottom is lush with grasses, flowering plants, and ponderosa pine and other healthy trees.

We started down the river, enjoying the ambience of this beautiful place. In the back of our mind, we thought we would be able to reach the “other side” of The Box, where we had hiked in the past. About half a mile in, we noticed a trail that ascended the ridge on the left (south) of the river. Thinking that might allow to get beyond The Box, we climbed up on the ridge and found ourselves on a trail for 1.5 miles; we discovered this was East Fork Trail No. 137. It was at this point, also, that we saw on the topo a trail that descended into the river cañon. Ah ha, down to The Box.

We enjoyed an easy descent into the bottom of the cañon, and saw what we took to be the upstream side of The Box. (A bit of explanation here: hiking from the west to The Box, it had appeared to us that there was no easy way to get from the downstream side of The Box to the upstream side. So it was logical, we were now on that upstream side. More explanation to follow.) Back in the cañon we found ourselves back on the Las Conchas trail No. 137. Proceeding upstream, we were again enjoying the lush, colorful foliage between the cañon walls along East Fork Jemez River. Nearing the trailhead, we stopped for our mid-hike break/lunch – what a beautiful autumn day in the Jemez Mountains.

Epilog

Ok, here’s the “more later”. Trail No. 137, East Fork Jemez River trail, goes from Battleship Rock (way west on NM 4) to the Las Conchas Trailhead. For most of the distance it remains above the Jemez River; it descends into the river canyon to join the end of the Las Conchas Trail. As for how close were we to the box? It would be close to 1.5 miles further on the East Fork Jemez River trail.

We have wondered – could one go the length, from The Box to the Conchas Trail remaining in the River canyon? One would be required to get around what appears to be a blockage at each end. On our East Fork Jemez Box Hike, it was apparent that we would have to wade in the river to pass through a narrow passage between huge boulders. And at the end of the Las Conchas Trail Hike there was a similar blockage for continuing in the canyon. Maybe someone will comment to address the question or … we might try it one day.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation: start 8,411 ft, maximum 8,641 ft, 8,328 minimum ft
Gross gain: 313 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,153 ft, descending 1,152 ft
Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 35% descending, 7.9% average
Duration: 4:34

Las Conchas Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-23 (KML)	157 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Las Conchas Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-23 (GPX)	86 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

Las Conchas Trail Hike – 07/26/2019

References and Resources

US Forest Service: Las Conchas Trail
                                  Las Conchas Trailhead
AllTrails: East Fork Trail via Las Conchas Trailhead
Natural Atlas: Las Conchas Trailhead, a very nice interactive map – pan, zoom etc.
SummitPost: Las Conchas, Jemez
Santa Fe New Mexican: Day Hiked: Lingering along Las Conchas Trail
ASCHG: East Fork – Las Conchas Hike
ondafringe: Day Hike: Las Conchas Trail
                      Las Conchas Trail (YouTube video, 33 minutes)
National Park Service: The Las Conchas Fire
Southwest Fire Consortium: Las Conchas Fire, Jemez Mountains, NM  (PDF)

Pat's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

George's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Valle de San Antonio Hike – 09/22/2020

September 30, 2020

Our 2nd hike on a 5-day camping trip to the Jemez Mountains with Jay and Nancy. We set up camp in the Jemez Falls Campground, a very nice Forest Service campground in the middle of the Jemez Mountains and close to Valles Caldera. Nearby are great hiking opportunities – for all skill levels, any distances.

The Drive In

From the campground, drive east to the entrance to the Valles Caldera National Preserve. There is only one road into the Preserve which takes one to the Visitor Center. To proceed beyond this point one must register (and may be required to pay an access fee, ‘tho in recent months the fees have been waived). After receiving your Pass, you will be allowed to lower the entrance cable and proceed into the Preserve.

The trailhead for this hike is in the northwestern corner of Valles Caldera. Within the Preserve, vehicles must remain on the two roads. From the Visitors Center, VC01 goes northwest between Valle Grande the lava domes Cerro La Jara and South Mountain to the Cabin District. (Among the buildings there is the ranch house featured in the series “Longmire”.) From there, VC02 proceeds northeast, about 10 miles to a T intersection with VC09. To continue for hiking downstream on San Antonio Creek, turn left on VC09 – 4 miles to park at the end of allowed access.

The Hike

Valle De San Antonio Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-22

This is may be the most beautiful area of Valles Caldera. We parked at the end of access on VC-09, then continued on foot in the wide valley of San Antonio Creek. We enjouyed magnificent views of the surrounding lava domes: to the south Cerro Seco and San Antonio Mountain, and to the north and west the rim of the Caldera. About a mile along the old roadbed of VC-09 we crossed the bridge over San Antonio Creek, and then .. the rain showers that had sprung up around the area caught up with us. We repaired up the slope and found a ponderosa pine that gave us some protection from the rain and popcorn hail shower.

After about 45 minutes pinned down by the shower, we returned to VC-09 to continue our hike. A quarter of a mile on we passed out of the Preserve and onto FR 376 which followed the contour of the caldera rim 60 feet or so above the floor of the valley. The view of the Creek from this vantage point is beautiful. In another half mile we found ourselves at the base of the road Jay and I had taken down from FR 144 for the San Antonio Canyon North Hike back in 2017. We chose to turn back here, but take a route along the Creek itself.

Of interest to us in the creek were the artificial “beaver dams” that were being constructed when Pat & I hiked here back in 2019 (Valle de San Antonio Hike – 09/11/2019). Work had been completed and the posts with willow woven between them were intact .. but no sign of beaver (yet).

The track along the river is most pleasant, with the green grasses, recently planted willows (within exclosures for protection), and the gently flowing stream. The trail is easy walking, ‘tho with one place where the artificial dam had backed up water over the trail necessitating a detour up the slope a bit. About midway back towards the parking area, the trail returns to the road and across the bridge. Proceeding north on VC-09, the view across the wide valley of San Antonio Creek is splendid. All in all, this hike easily makes it worth the extra drive from the Valles Caldera entrance.

Jay here: Wouldn’t you know it. Hail storm again. Nancy and I had been partway on the road into the caldera but never to the end where this hike began. It’s a long ride. Seems longer on the way out after a long hike. A lot of downed trees throughout which is a bit sad but the regeneration is already underway so that’s a positive sign. Nancy found some rusty gems to take back, so it was worth the trek.

Highlight

A slide show of the beautiful vista views of the Valle de San Antonio.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.35 miles
Elevation: start 8,390 ft, maximum 8,474 ft, minimum 8,326 ft
Gross gain: 148 ft. Aggregate ascending 618 ft, descending 618 ft
Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 42% descending, 04.8% average
Duration: 3:35

GPS Tracks

Valle De San Antonio Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-22 (KML)	135 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Valle De San Antonio Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-22 (GPX)	76 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

Valle de San Antonio Hike – 09/11/2019
VC-09 Valle San Antonio Hike – 07/25/2019
San Antonio Canyon North Hike – 11/12/2017

References and Resources

National Park Service: Valles Caldera
New Mexico Nomad: The Valles Caldera
         An Excellent overview of the geology and history
NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources: The Valles Caldera: New Mexico’s Supervolcano (PDF)
Natural Atlas: Valles Caldera National Preserve (Topo & Trails)
National Geographic, Four Corners Region: Valles Caldera National Preserve – Fly Fishing
Any Place America: Valles Caldera National Preserve
      Features: creeks, springs, valleys & canyons, peaks, even “mines”
Las Cruces Sun News: Experience the beauty of Valles Caldera National Preserve
In Light of Nature: Epic Winter Crossing of the Valles Caldera
Bikepacking.com: Valles Caldera Supervolcano Explorer, New Mexico
        Really great photos

Pat's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Jay's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Cerro Grande Trail Hike – 09/21/2020

September 26, 2020

This is our first hike on a 5-day camping trip to the Jemez Mountains with friends Jay and Nancy. We set up camp in the Jemez Falls Campground, a very nice Forest Service campground in the middle of the Jemez Mountains and close to Valles Caldera. Nearby are great hiking opportunities, for all skill levels, any distanc

The Drive In

The trailhead is 13 miles east of the Jemez Falls Campground on NM 4. There is a large parking area on the north side of the road at the trailhead. (Across the road are trailheads for other trails going south into the upper reaches of Bandelier, also good hiking.)

The Hike

Cerro Grande Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-21

This is a favorite trail for Pat & me, and we were pleased to bring Jay and Nancy here. On the way to the trailhead, we stopped to enjoy the tremendous view across Valle Grande, the main valley yet comprising less than 10% of the Caldera as a whole. — We did not see any elk in the Valle this morning, although often one can see one or many herds in the distance (a couple of miles – the Valle is so huge they are only dots on the valley floor.)

The first half mile of the trail is a gentle slope through open forest; like all of the trail, it is well used, makes for easy walking. From there on the slope is a bit greater but I would never classify it as steep, although at times it is on a hillside with a 50° slope. Topping the saddle (about 2/3rd to the summit) we paused to enjoy a great view west across the Valle to the far rim of the volcano and mountains south and west.

From here the trail is in open grassland except for 300 or 400 yards of open forest on the east slope of Cerro Grande. We had been watching the formation of rain cells coming from the northwest. Some went around us, but our luck ran out and precipitation began with small, soft hailstones (or were they large popcorn snow). We sought shelter in what appeared to be the last ponderosa pine on the way to the summit; it was just large enough to keep us almost dry.

The shower cells were moving slowly – some 50 minutes later that cell passed on and we headed down, foregoing those last yards to the summit (it is, after all, not a peak but a gentle mountain top). Though it remained cloudy, the hike back down was dry.

Highlight

The best I can do here is — the snow/rain quit after about 50 minutes while we huddled under a tree. We were able to return to the trailhead in dry conditions and enjoy our mid-hike break a couple of hundred yards from the parking area.

Jay here: Well, highlight is one word for it. Hail, hail, the gang’s all here, under a tree. What the heck do we care? It’s small comfort that hail storms are typical this time of year at 9k feet. You still wait for the lightning to hit the tree you are standing under. Now that’s a highlight. The sunshine at the start and the super saturated light at the end of the hike are all you have to see to experience the contrast. Great hike, great company. It’s like the analogy of who you would want to share a foxhole with…and not get killed.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.24 miles
Elevation: start 8,959 ft, maximum 10,110 ft, minimum 8,956 ft
Gross gain: 1,154 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,325 ft, descending 1,327 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 26% descending, 10.7% average
Duration: 4:47

Cerro Grande Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-21 (KML)	216 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cerro Grande Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-21 (GPX)	87 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

Cerro Grande Trail Hike – 06/25/2019 (to the summit)
Cerro Grande Trail Hike – 05/29/2019 (halfway to the summit)

References and Resources (consolidated from previous posts)

National Park Service, Bandelier: Cerro Grande Trail
Valles Caldera Map
AllTrails: Cerro Grande Trail
Natural Atlas: Cerro Grande Trail, a very nice interactive map – pan, zoom etc.
American Southwest: Cerro Grande Trail, Bandelier National Monument
Wikipedia: Cerro Grande Fire
Valles Caldera
ondafringe: Day Hike: Cerro Grande/Valles Caldera
Stav Is Lost: Hike Cerro Grande
Discover the West: The Cerro Grande Route (great review, recommended)
Valles Caldera Rim: Valles Caldera East Rim: Cerro Grande Snowshoe
Keeping in Tune: I Hike the Cerro Grande Trail in the Jemez Mountains (great photos)
Los Alamos Daily Post: Amateur Naturalist: Cerro Grande Peak: Scene – Human and Natural Impacts

Pat's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Jay's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

George's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike – 08/21/2020

August 28, 2020

This is our 2nd hike on a camping trip to Red River (see Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike – 08/19/2020). Our first choice was to return to Taos Ski Basin, to hike to Williams Lake (Williams Lake Hike – 10/14/2016). However, as we turned onto NM 150 at the entrance to Hondo Canyon, a big highway sign told us the Williams Lake Trail was closed along with all the others in the area. We learned that the area was closed for 10 days for native American “traditional and cultural purposes”.

Casting about for alternatives, on AllTrails we tracked down the Heart Lake Trail. The comments in particular appealed to us: “georgeous”, “very green”, and it appeared to follow a stream. We did not plan to go the full length, but set our sights in reaching the junction where it splits for the Latir Peak Loop Trail (per AllTrails).

Later when gathering References and Resources, I found that it appears AllTrails has misidentified the trail. Forest Service references identify the trail starting at Cabresto Lake as the Lake Fork Trail #82. It continues for some 7 miles to a cutoff for the Heart Lake Trail that leads to Heart Lake. And the junction noted for the Loop is the intersection of the Lake Fork Trail and the Bull Creek Trail #85.

The Drive In

To reach the trailhead at Cabresto Lake, from Cuesta “find” NM 563. From the main intersection in Cuesta, go east for a few yards, turn left on Cabresto Road, also identified as NM 563. (If you miss this turn, continue east on NM 38 for 2/3 mile; a sign will point left to Cabresto Lake. Look for another sign to turn left on South or North Kiowa Rd to get back on NM 563.) Continue on NM 563 for 6 miles, to a turnoff to the left; a large parking area is located there.

Now comes the challenging part – turn left onto FR 134A. It is wide enough to pass meeting vehicles, but … it is -very rough-, a very rocky surface all of the 2 miles to the lake. A medium-high clearance vehicle is required (a Subaru Forester will be able to handle the road but anything less will likely suffer damage). There is ample parking at the reservoir, Lake Cabresto. And the number of people, families and fishermen, showed this is a popular destination despite the road.

The Hike

Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike.Pat.2020-08-21

From the parking area above the lower end of the lake, the trail skirts the western shore for half a mile. It then follows the western slope above Lake Fork stream. The trail is well used and thus easy to follow. Most of it is easy walking tho’ there are occasionally rocky outcrops to be traversed. The stream is always within earshot, down in its narrow stream bed making loud water-rushing sounds – there was a strong flow of water over cascades and occasional small waterfalls. And with all that water, it was “very green”.

Highlight

While hiking here in New Mexico, things that flash colors and present interesting patterns capture my attention. Throughout the year, I encounter flowers of one kind or another on nearly every hike. And on many hikes I encounter something colorful or a new pattern that I haven’t seen before. And such it was on this hike. Now in late summer, with autumn approaching (and cooler nights particularly at the higher elevations), colors are coming from plants beginning their transition to winter. Here are examples from this hike:

George’s Photos w/ Captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.38 miles
Elevation: start 9,190 ft, maximum 10,178 ft, minimum 9,581 ft
Gross gain: 1,010 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,849 ft, descending 1,846 ft
Maximum slope: 38% ascending, 39% descending, 9.2% average
Duration: 5:08

Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike.Pat.2020-08-21 (KML)	79 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike.Pat.2020-08-21 (GPX)	102 Downloads

I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Cabresto Lake Road/Lake Fork Trail
                                        Map of Latir Trails (KML)
                                    Lake Fork Trail #82
                                     Heart Lake Trail #85
                                        Bull Creek Trail #85
AllTrails: Heart Lake Trail
                  Latir Peak Loop Trail
Taos News: Summer Hiking in Taos: Heart Lake in the Latir Peak Wilderness
MountainZone.com: Heart Lake, New Mexico

Pat’s Photos w/ Captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

The Drive In

The Hike

Highlight

The Drive Out

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The Drive In

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The Drive In

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The Drive In

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The Drive In

The Hike

Epilog

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The Drive In

The Hike

Highlight

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The Drive In

The Hike

Highlight

Statistics

Previous Posts

References and Resources (consolidated from previous posts)

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The Drive In

The Hike

Highlight

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