I’ve lost the GPS track for this hike, but I found among my gazillion Hiking files this screen shot that confirms – we -really did- hike Three Gun Springs in 2010. The placemarks show the turnaround point on each hike.
I’ve lost the GPS track for this hike, but I found among my gazillion Hiking files this screen shot that confirms – we -really- did hike Three Gun Springs in 2011. The placemarks show the turnaround point on each hike.
I’ve lost the GPS track for this hike, but I found among my gazillion Hiking files this screen shot that confirms – we -really- did hike Hawk Watch in 2011. The placemarks show the turnaround point on each hike.
Posted in March 2019. One of our early hikes, checking out trails out of Tijeras, on the south end of the Sandia Mountains. Our first try at Hawk Watch.
The turnoff is about 3 miles up the Three Gun Springs trail. We missed the trail after shortly after the turn, mistakenly chose to head up the arroyo. From there wandered some until concluding we needed to head southeast and uphill to get on Hawk Watch. Once back on the trail, it was uphill from there. The views across Tijeras Canyon are truly great. And along the way we passed some very interesting rock outcroppings
Total Distance: 3.99 miles
Elevation: start 6,313 ft, maximum 7,621 ft, minimum 6,313 ft
Gross gain: 1,308 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,517 ft, descending 1,524 ft
Maximum slope: 44% ascending, 42% descending, 12.8% average
Duration: 2:53
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USDA Forest Service: Hawk Watch Trail 215
Hawk Watch International: Sandia Mountains, NM HawkWatch
ASCHG: Hawk Watch Hike
New Mexico Meanders: 2017-02-25 South Sandia Peak Loop Hike
AllTrails: Hawkwatch Trail
SummitPost: Hawk Watch Trail
Two weeks ago we hiked up the Gooseberry Springs Trail on Mount Taylor near Grants. That was such a great hike, we decided to return soon with the goal of going all the way to the top. So that we could make an early-morning start, we traveled to Grants the day before and spent the night in a motel. (On the lookout for craft beer, we stumbled on the Route 66 Junk Yard Brewery – check it out on the east end of town.)
See the description in the previous post Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike – 06/01/2018
After a McDonalds burrito and coffee breakfast (the only restaurant in Grants that is open early), we headed for the Goosberry Trail trailhead. See the report on our earlier hike for particulars on the first half of this hike. Oh, by the way, we made the turn onto the Trail that we missed on the previous hike. And knowing we faced a 2,000+ elevation gain, we took frequent breaks (and kept up the intake of water).
Nearing the location of our mid-hike break on the previous hike, above the tree line on this side of the mountain, we headed up towards the summit. The trail continued to be a moderate slope, well used and easy going, ‘tho on fairly steep hillsides. The views to the east, south, and west were glorious, despite the hazy atmosphere. And the views of the surrounding slopes of the mountain were stunning, particularly in the light of the early morning sun. An occasional rock outcrop added another dimension of Mother Nature’s beautiful work. ‘Tho it has been hot at lower elevations, the early start coupled with the upslope breezes made the weather conditions quite cool and pleasant.
Reaching the summit, we enjoyed an extended break with coffee and empenadas, and taking time to enjoy the sights. Heading down, again the slope and general condition of the trail made the descent reasonably easy. And looking at the scenery from this new angle or direction made it beautiful in ways different that during the ascent.
Close to a mile from the summit on the way down, we opted to follow the ‘canyon’ towards -the- Gooseberry Spring. ‘Tho not a marked trail, we found ‘trails’, tracks left by cattle, elk or deer, a maybe people, that were easy to follow and allowed us to remain in shade (the temperature was rising and the sun intense). For a short time we rejoined -the- Gooseberry Trail, but then descended again into the ‘canyon’ and followed it until the point where the Trail crosses the ‘canyon’. From there it was about 2/3rd of a mile back to the truck.
Total Distance: 6.69 miles
Elevation: start 9,273 ft, maximum 11,314 ft, minimum 9,273 ft
Gross gain: 2,041 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,366 ft, descending 2,364 ft
Maximum slope: 32% ascending, 40% descending, 12% average
Duration: 8:44
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See Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike – 06/01/2018
Our second day on a camping trip to the Grants area instead of heading to the Jemez (see the post for the Bluewater Lake Hike). We had considered the Coal Mine Campground for the previous night, but because this was our first trip out with the R-Pod, we took the easy route – Grants KOA. On this day, ‘tho, we set out to check out the Coal Mine Campground and after a visit to the Mount Taylor Ranger Station, hike the Gooseberry Springs Trail.
The campground is quite nice, with a few nicely shaded sites (no electric services, but the usual pit toilet in National Forest campgrounds). Having checked out of the KOA, we brought the R-Pod up the 9 miles and 1,000 feet elevation gain (on a very nice paved road) to Coal Mine Campground and parked it in a nice drive-through site. After brunch, we headed on up Lobo Canyon Road/NM 547 to the turnoff (FR 193, gravel) to the trailhead (5.2 miles) for the Gooseberry Springs Trail. FR 193 passes through ponderosa and juniper forest, but with many turnoffs that appeared to be quite suitable for primitive camping (RV or tent).
The trailhead is clearly marked, as is the beginning of the trail. However … at about 3/4 miles into the hike we missed a turn for the -real- trail and followed an old two-track that was quite rocky in spots. After about 1.5 miles, with the help of a trail track on US Topo on the phone/GPS, we headed up-hill (easy bushwhacking) and across where we found a well-used, easy to walk trail. We followed this uphill for another .25 miles when we found ourselves out of the forest, on more open land.
As we continued uphill, there were fewer trees until we came into completely open space with stupendous views to the south and west. Another .25 miles and we were at the top of a saddle and could now see the vista to the east. After enjoying our mid-hike coffee/snack break, we headed back downhill, passing many cows and calves which we had encountered on our way up. We stayed on that well-used trail for the distance back to the truck.
Throughout the hike, especially on the actual Gooseberry Springs Trail, the climb and descent, the slope was gentle. The trail surface was rocky in very few places; otherwise dirt or, in the forested area, covered with pine needles. It is another mile or so from our mid-hike break spot to the top of Mount Taylor. That portion of the trail is completely in the open, great for the vista views. We could see the trail as it tracked up the slope with one large switchback about 2/3rds to the top. We’ll be going back soon to make it to the top.
Total Distance: 3.94 miles
Elevation: start 9,274 ft, maximum 10,253 ft, minimum 9,274 ft
Gross gain: 979 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,147 ft, descending 1,147 ft Maximum slope: 38% ascending, 28% descending, 11% average
Duration: 3:46
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US Forest Service: Gooseberry Springs Trail
Gooseberry Springs Trailhead
Four Corners Tourism: Gooseberry Springs Trail – Mt. Taylor
AllTrails: Gooseberry Springs Trail to Mount Taylor
SummitPost: Mount Taylor
Gooseberry Springs Trail
Hiking Project: Gooseberry Trail
ondafring: Day Hike: Mount Taylor
ASCHG: Mount Taylor From Gooseberry Spring Hike
Stav is Lost: Hike Mt. Taylor via Gooseberry Springs Trail
The drive to our trailhead was up NM 4 from San Ysidro, left onto NM 485 and up the Guadalupe Canyon (along the Guadalupe River), and through the Gilman Tunnels onto FR 376. Beyond the Tunnels about 7 miles, we parked just across the bridge at Porter.
We began the hike by going south on the east side of the river, starting a climb up the face of the mesa in about a mile. It was then up a rough, steep two-track to the top of Stable Mesa; that was quite a climb – steep, long, very rough and rocky two-track.
The mesa top is quite flat and level; starting north on a two track we encountered a very interesting rock formation with a large window looking west across the Guadalupe Canyon. And the views across, up, and down the canyon are awesome. I had only coordinates for our destination, the Kiva Ruins (also known as the Tovakwa Ruins). We continued in a northeast direction along a nice two-track until I decided we needed to head more south and east towards the Ruins. ‘Twas easy hiking in open ponderosa forest, generally level with a small valley (in Kansas we would call it a ‘draw’) to cross. (In the bottom of this draw we came across a collection of modern artifacts, like someone held a birthday party here. We conjectured over the reason – maybe really a party? someone’s GeoCache site? We’re still puzzled.)
As we followed the GPS pointer, I first saw some mounds of earth that didn’t look like something Mother Nature would have produced. Then, looking down (thanks, Vince, for teaching me to look for things ‘under our feet’), I saw what, on further inspection, proved to be sherds of pottery. I then suspected we were in the vicinity of Tovakwa. As we proceeded I saw a circular depression, thinking it was the site of a kiva. Continuing further we found more ‘unnatural’ mounds, more shards, and then the Great Kiva. All of this on the edge of Stable Mesa overlooking Canyon Cebollita. We also visited more ruins, these rectangular in shape, about .1 miles north of the Great Kiva.
Noting that we had an unnecessary excursion to the north in our track inbound, I turned to the GPS to shoot for a shorter track out. We returned to the draw, then followed it downhill until it fell off steeply towards Guadalupe Canyon. At that point we made the short climb back up onto Stable Mesa, then found our way to rejoin our inbound track and headed down the two-track and back to parking.
The drive up Guadalupe Canyon is spectacular, with Gilman Tunnel most interesting. Then the ‘window rock’ once we were up on the Mesa, and the view across the canyon was impressive. And the goal, Tovakwa Pueblo ruins, was a among the most interesting sites we have visited, especially the remains of a large Kiva and the Long House. This was one of our longest hikes to date (2015), and one of the more strenuous – the climb up was challenging. It is one of my favorites.
Total Distance: 8.07 miles
Elevation: start 7,175 ft, maximum 7,916 ft, minimum 7,175 ft
Gross gain: 741 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,676 ft, descending 1,669 ft
Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 48% descending, 6.9% average
Duration: 5:07
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ondafringe: Day Hike: Stable Mesa to Kiva Ruins
ASCHG: Stable Mesa Hike (link corrected 2025)
. Stable Mesa to Ruins (added 2025)
OtherHand: Tovakwa ruins (added 2025)
Dog of the Desert: Tovakwa
AllTrails: Stable Mesa (added 2025)
Bandelier National Monument is a great place to introduce visitors to New Mexico to Ancient Pueblo history.
Thus, it was time to go there with grandson Peyton.
Total Distance: 2.85 miles
Elevation: start 6,066 ft, maximum 6,400 ft, minimum 6,066 ft
Gross gain: 336 ft. Aggregate ascending 944 ft, descending 949 ft
Maximum slope: 72% ascending, 69% descending, 11% average
Duration: 1:57
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National Park Service: Bandelier National Monument
The American Southwest: Bandelier National Monument
Google: Bandelier National Monument
YouTube Video: Bandelier National Monument (Edward Rozylowicz)
Earth Observatory: Bandelier National Monument
While Peyton visited, we went to Meow Wolf in Santa Fe.
Pat and I explored this trail earlier; on this day we returned to it with grandson Peyton.
This is an easy hike, and to exploring the Box was entertaining. And this time we came prepared to wade in the river.
Total Distance: 3.36 miles
Elevation: start 8,100 ft, maximum 8,232 ft, minimum 7,961 ft
Gross gain: 371 ft. Aggregate ascending 913 ft, descending 913 ft
Maximum slope: 47% ascending, 56% descending, 8% average
Duration: 2:26
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References:
SummitPost: East Fork Box
USDA Forest Service: East Fork Trail (FT #137)
ASCHG: East Fork Box Wade Hike
For our third day in the San Juan Mountains/Pagosa Springs, we headed UP, maybe above the tree line? To Wolf Creek Pass and a section of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).
It is a long way up a steep highway US 160, from 7,800′ elevation to 11,800′ at the trailhead above the Pass. It was obvious immediately that we -would have- scenic views.
From the Lobo Trailhead we descended across a snow bank to meet up with the CDT about 1/2 mile on. For the next 1.4 miles the trail continued down, a medium width, well traveled trail but on a quite steep hillside. From here it went up a bit, at least as far as we went before stopping for our mid-hike break and return trip. The views in every direction are stunning, looking across valleys to the next section of the San Juan Mountains. ‘Tho we weren’t “above the tree line”, many of the peaks above 12,000′, some over 13,000’ and were barren.
Jay here: It was a bit chilly and windy atop the CDT trailhead. You start out behind the big radio towers and immediately walk over a snow covered trail. Most of the trail is in the open and some portions are narrow ledges along steep hillside. If you fall on that hillside you are going roll quite a way before you can stop yourself, a fact that offers little comfort to me and my vertigo. Other parts of the trail run through older forest where there is still snow on the ground. There were also a lot more corn lilies in the meadows we crossed. This was another hike that had descents at the start that made for a long slog back at the return, but we persevered.
Total Distance: 6.07 miles
Elevation: start 11,742 ft, maximum 11,742 ft, minimum 11,148 ft
Gross gain: 695 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,448 ft, descending 1,447 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 30% descending, 8% average
Duration: 4:26
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The Adventure Guide-Pagosa.com:
Hiking Trails in the San Juan National Forest – Pagosa Springs Area
Pagosa.com: A Walk in the Woods: Hiking Trails in Pagosa Springs
Outdoor Recreation Information Center – Colorado:
Pagosa Springs Region Day Hiking Trails Index
