I joined Jay in Santa Fe for a quick day hike followed by a good beer at his place.
The Drive In
Drive up Hyde Park Road (NM 475) from Santa Fe to the Sierra del Norte Trailhead; there is a parking lot on the left of the road.
The Hike
Dale Ball Trail Hike.Jay.2023-04-23
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
This hike was basically a clockwise loop from the Sierra del Norte Traihead: cross the road and bear left from Junction 13, then make sharp right turn towards Junction 14 where we turned left towards Junction 15. It was then 16, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27, the southeast corner of the loop. heading west and north to 24, then 20, 18, 12, and back to 13 and the parking lot. (I just follow Jay’s lead through this maze of trails.)
Dale Ball trails are well used, involve some “ups and downs”, and have generally an easy trail surface. There are some short steep stretches and at times the trail is on a steep slope, just right for some good exercise (distance and climb & descents) and balance on those side-hill sections. But any of this web of trails in the Dale Ball make a good workout and typical New Mexico through scrubby juniper/piñon pine “forest”.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.38 miles Elevation: start 7,580 ft, maximum 7,777 ft, minimum 7,486 ft Gross gain: 291 ft. Aggregate ascending 702 ft, descending 700 ft Maximum slope: 21% ascending, 19% descending, 6.8% average Duration: 1:57
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
‘Tis great to go hiking with Jay again, this time on one of the Dale Ball Trails on the outskirts of Santa Fe – Dorothy Stewart Trail, with extension.
The Drive In
The trailhead is on Camino De Cruz Blanca – I’m not one to give directions for navigating around Santa Fe, Jay navigates thereabouts. So I’m going to leave you with – use your favorite driving navigation tool, and follow that.
The Hike
Dale Ball Trails – Dorothy Stewart Trail Extended.Jay.2022-11-16
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The Dale Ball trails are really great, used heavily by locals, afoot and sometimes on bikes. So they are well defined, easy to traverse (even tho’ the elevation gains and slope can be large in some places). There are great maps for download, and the maps are posted at the trailheads and major intersections of the trails.
The Dorothy Stewart Trail is a loop of about 1.6 miles in length. We opted to follow trails beyond the DST to get added distance. From the elevation profile above, you can see the changes in elevation in the trail. The first mile and half, down then up then down again, were easy going. Then the climb in the next mile is a bit strenuous (’tis the first challenging elevation change that I’ve seen in many weeks of waling around Albuquerque). From the top ’tis an easy downhill return to the trailhead (the last half mile or so down a gated residential street).
For our hike this day, we bundled up for the 30 degree temperatures (fortunately with no wind to make it -cold-). We started in sunshine but clouds soon moved in and snow flurries soon followed; that continued until we neared the finish line. For much of the trail we hiked through 1″ to 4″ of recently fallen snow – it had not melted so we saw ice in only one section. Otherwise, except for a couple of very steep sections, footing was sound with only our hiking boots.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.55 miles Elevation: start 7,550 ft, maximum 7,845 ft, minimum 7,290 ft Gross gain: 655 ft. Aggregate ascending 929 ft, descending 929 ft Maximum slope: 31% ascending, 27% descending, 9.0% average Duration: 2:25
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
During a two-night camping trip in Jemez Falls Campground, Jay and I headed into Valles Caldera for a mid-distance hike. Pat and Nancy (with Bo) remained at the campground, “chilling out”.
The Drive In
From the Campground, head east on NM 4 to the entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve, then down into Valle Grande to the Entrance Station (the Visitor Center has been moved to the Cabin District). We had read that a daily limit of the number of visitors allowed into the Back Country was being implemented. Visitors are premitted to continue beyond the Entrance Station to visit the Cabin District, but cannot go further into the Caldera.
On our visit, we learned that … reservations are now required to obtain one of the limited number of daily passes. Reservations are made via Recreation.gov, just has has been the case for campgrounds in recent. Fortunately, Internet service is good in the Caldera; for those who don’t have a “device”, a computer is available in the Visitor Center. It appears Backcouintry Vehicle Passes can be reserved for the day of visit or dates into the future. There is presently no charge for private vehicles, although there is a $2.00 “Reservation Fee” for each pass.
The Hike We’ve hiked this route before – check out the links in Related Posts below.
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We chose to limit our drive into the Caldera by hiking in the “front country” (it is a long drive into the “back country”). We started out thinking we would hike from the Cabin District to El Cajete, a “recent” crater that created a most pleasant open meadow. Parking on the south end of the Cabin District, we headed off down, VC-01 – a two-track – easy walking, lush grasses, and a great view across the Valle. Along the way we crossed 3 or 4 streams coming down from the mountainside to the west – a real treat here in New Mexico.
About 1.25 miles on, we began a climb, passing the cutoff for the trail to the top of South Mountain, continuing on the two-track. We continued up the two-track, climbing to the top of the ridge where we could see ahead/down hill towards El Cajete. We decided we weren’t up for that long a hike (for me particularly since Pat & I planned two days later to drive to Grants and hike to the top of Mount Taylor: 2,000 feet elevation gain, to the top at 11,003). So Jay and I continued on an old two-track to the left, to a bit higher elevation and saddle from which we enjoyed more of a view to the south and east.
Heading downhill, we decided to hang a left and return via VC0201, a two-track that paralleled VC02 at higher up on the mountainside. Misreading the topo lines for VC0201 running parallel, we found the trail ascended more than anticipated. But we avoided some of the rocky trail of VC-02. We also anticipated that we would need to bushwhack downhill to VC-02 at some point to return to parking. We entered into an old burn area with many fallen trunks, but saw a path with fewer trunks to climb over. So we headed downhill, entered again into an area of open forest, and VC-02. >>>> A good hike.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.84 miles Elevation: start 8,748 ft, maximum 9,242 ft, minimum 8,725 ft Gross gain: 517 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,043 ft, descending 1,043 ft Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 22% descending, 7.2% average Duration: 3:11
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
We returned to Mount Taylor again this year. This Gooseberry Springs Trail presents a challenging hike with great views going up, coming down, and from the peak – together they make it one of our favorite hikes. We plan to hike it each year in to the ?? future.
The Drive In
Borrowing from our visit back in 2020:
“We had an easy drive to Grants, then through Lobo Canyon on NM 547 to FR 193 and on to our target campsite. The road has fresh, deep gravel (a Class 3 road) but the Tacoma/R-Pod handled it easily. We chose the campsite closer to the trailhead; an added benefit – it is located on the edge of Lobo Canyon and thus affords better views than the other campsites. This, our first setup outside of an established campground challenged us in maneuvering It was still a challenge to maneuver the R-Pod among trees and rocks to an area relatively level – great experience for future forays.” This is our new 2023 R-Pod – RP-171. We enjoyed 12 years of great camping and traveling with our 2011 RP-177, but time came for it to be retired. We miss the space of the slideout in the -177, but we are adjusting to this more compact camper – and we like very much the “picture window” in the front which “opens up” the space inside. And a new, larger 100 watt, solar panel.
The Hike
Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike.Pat.2023-05-26
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We “trained” for this hike, walking daily in the Bosque during the winter and hiking up Three Gun Springs during the preceding weeks. This preparation no doubt served us well, but 2,000 feet elevation gain is nonetheless a challenge. The trail is well used, and descriptions of our previous hikes are still accurate.
Weather was perfect for this day’s hike, sunny and cool with some breezy and chilly conditions at the higher elevations. We stopped regularly for brief rests, especially on the steeper sections. We encountered only a couple of other hikers, ‘tho about half way up the open zig-zags approaching the peak, we noted a hiker with a dog following us; she passed us before we reached the peak. It was apparent from her pace and her pack that she was a through-hiker – she confirmed it during our brief conversation.
Approaching the peak we passed a couple of snow banks left over from this year’s heavy snow season. Reaching the peak, we took the obligatory selfie to document our arrival, then joined Brittany (trail name Dits) and Mono for lunch and pleasant conversation. As we headed back down the mountain, we wished her well on her journey as a NoBo (NOrth BOund) on the CDT.
This year we chose to return on the trail rather than the alternate routes that we chose on previous hikes. Returning to the R-Pod, we opened a beer and relaxed in the wonderful blue skies and clear air of New Mexico.
Highlight
As a bonus, during this last half of May we can anticipate meeting northbound through-hikers on the Continental Divide Trail. On the our hike in 2021 with Jay and Nancy, we met a couple of through-hikers and a Trail Angel, Cheshire Cat, and enjoyed the company of a through-hiker, trail name NoNo. And again this year, it was great to meet another CDT through-hiker, Dits and her dog Mono, and to share a mid-day meal with them atop Mount Taylor.
In 2021, No-No, gave us the link to her VLOG on YouTube, Jennifer Journeys. We continued to follow her progress up the CDT to Canada – she produced some truly great videos through which she shared her experience. She has published two other series of her adventures on YouTube: Peru 2022 and Mountains to Sea Trail. We hope that she is continuing with the life that she loves, and perhaps publishes VLOGs of more of her adventures. Thank you, Jennifer!
Statistics
Total Distance: 6.46 miles Elevation: start 9,325 ft, maximum 11,305 ft, minimum 9,274 ft Gross gain: 2,031 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,221 ft, descending 2,221 ft Maximum slope: 26%% ascending, 34% descending, 12.4% average Duration: 8:04
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
A Note: I realize this is a long list of References and Resources, but I found many of them to be interesting, some going beyond just a hike up Mt. Taylor on the Gooseberry Springs Trail. I’ve marked with ** some that I found intriguing.
The 5th hike during our visit to Oaxaca. Pat was to spend the day with José in Teotitlán del Valle, learning about dyeing and weaving. José had also arranged for me to meet up with Alvert for a hike to the top of Cerro Danush, a mountain with special significance to his pueblo, Macuilxóchitl de Artigas Carranza.
The Drive In
José met us at Buganbilias again with Albert to drive us. After a stop at Pan Am, the nearby coffee shop, we headed out into the Tlacolula Valley. After a really good breakfast at Restaurante La Palapa de Raúl, we proceeded to José’s studio on the road from the highway to Teotitlán. Alvert from Macuilxóchitl picked me up to return to his village for the hike.
The Hike
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The hike began at the edge of Macuilxóchitl, next to a spring-fed watering tank used to feed cattle (and a place to wash the mototaxi for local drivers). We crossed a plowed field and started up the trail, a very steep, rocky trail with sections of outcroppings that (almost) required hand bracing. (It was so steep that I began to be concerned about safety on the way back down.) After about 200 feet of gain, we proceeded on a dirt/gravel road for another 100 feet or so, then .. we started climbing again in earnest on a trail like that on which we started.
Thus we continued to the peak of Danush, where 1) the views up, down, and across the valley were spectacular, and 2) there was a modern day altar. After a few minutes admiring the scenery, we started back down, ‘tho not on the trail we came up on. Alvert paused, loosed his machete, and cut a stiff pole. He saw my reaction and handed it to me, clearly understanding that it would be important for safely descending the steep, often rocky trail, and cut another one for himself.
Alvert then guided us to an open area where he said it was cleared by the Zapotecs as a place from which they had unobstructed views of the skies, for celestial observations. From there, we headed into the bush – no trail so we were bush whacking until we encountered a very steep rocky decline. Judged to be too steep, Alvert led us, bush whacking, from there back to the main trail.
Zapotec Rock Paintings on Cerro Danush.
We descended down the trail for some 200 yards with switchbacks, then turned onto a narrow side trail. Continuing for again some 200 yards, we came to a 20′ tall rock face where Alvert pointed out the rock paintings attributed to the Zapotec culture who inhabited the area around 750 C.E.
We returned to the main trail and down hill to the watering tank where we had started. Then it was back to Macuilxóchitl where Alvert introduced me to Armando Mendoza, president of the Asociacion Civil Guiebelagayo that promotes and supports the heritage of Macuilxóchitl. We had an enjoyable conversation – my limited Spanish and his limited English – but Alvert helped each of us. There was a moment of levity when, after Alvert explained that we had hiked to the top of Danush, he told Armando and others who had joined us that I would turn 80 years old in a couple of days. They seemed to be surprised.
Highlight
The highlight of this hike was enjoying time with Alvert, learning from each other our languages while we hiked up a trail on ‘his’ mountain. I found it interesting to realiise that I was treading on a trail of the Zapotec’s from centuries ago, and Alvert showing to me features that are so closely linked to the history of Macuilxóchitl. Thank you, Alvert!
Statistics
Total Distance: 1.31 miles Elevation: start 5,367 ft, maximum 5,962 ft, minimum 5,367 ft Gross gain: 595 ft. Aggregate ascending 777 ft, descending 778 ft Maximum slope: 42% ascending, 42% descending, 16.8% average Duration: 3:08
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
I’m updating this post to include other through hikes on the Bosque Trail from the BioPark to Los Poblanos.
We walk almost daily in the Bosque, the cottonwood forest along the banks of the Rio Grande, the Bosque Trail. We typically walk 3-5 miles, out-and-back, starting from 3 locations: Rio Grand Park near Tingley Beach, the BioPark, and a parking lot under I-40, by way of Floral street. Through hikes (point-to-point) are more satisfying, especially when we finish the hike with breakfast at a really nice restaurant.
The Drive In
For these hikes we start at the parking lot just off of Central Avenue, between the BioPark and the Bosque. We start by taking one of our vehicles to Los Poblanos, then in the other vehicle return to the parking lot at the Bosque Trail trailhead between the BioPark and the Rio Grande.
The Hike
BioPark to Los Poblanos Bosque Trail.2023-03-14. This track is typical of each of our through hikes.
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
Our customary routine is to be “on the go” when the local coffee shop, Java Joes, opens at 0630. We get our drinks (chai latte for Pat, hot chocolate for me) and either walk through the Huning Castle (or Country Club) neighborhood to the Bosque, or drive to the trailhead of choice for that day. This morning, after the change to Savings Time, it was dark and a bit cold, but we were at the BioPark and on the trail by 0715.
The Bosque Trail is well used, 2-person wide and for much of its distance packed clay – very easy walking. (For the distance, as an alternative, the wide levee along the main acequia is available when it is muddy in the Bosque proper). At times the trail goes along the shoreline of the Rio Grande, throughout passing through a forest of mostly cottonwood trees. In some places the trees are quite old, in other places more recent growth. Along the way we usually see porcupines high in the trees, signs of beaver activity (trails where they have dragged branches to the water), ducks and Canada geese, occasionally a coyote, and most mornings hot air balloons.
This morning, about a mile into the hike, we were greeted with a pair of the balloons among the 10 or 12 aloft. That was quite a sight – the colorful envelope in the bright early morning sun and -blue- New Mexico sky as a backdrop. The walk/hike went smoothly and making good time, enough to make our reservation at Los Poblanos.
Highlights
First – to make a through hike of nearly six miles (’tis time to get in shape for hiking in the coming months). And second – a very good breakfast at one of the nicest restaurants in Albuquerque, Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm.
Statistics
03/14/2023 Total Distance: 5.92 miles Elevation: start 4,964 ft, maximum 4,986 ft, minimum 4,956 ft Gross gain: 30 ft. Aggregate ascending 203 ft, descending 188 ft Maximum slope: 13% ascending, 13% descending, 0.7% average Duration: 2:26
11/17/2023 Total Distance: 5.83 miles Elevation: start 4,961 ft, maximum 4,985 ft, minimum 4,956 ft Gross gain: 29 ft. Aggregate ascending 271 ft, descending 254 ft Maximum slope: 11% ascending, 11% descending, 0.8% average Duration: 2:48
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
This was a get-out-of-town day, and our first and probably only visit to see the snow in the Jemez this year, and in particular in Valles Caldera.
The Drive In
We made the full loop around NM 4: Bernalillo, San Ysidro, Jemez Pueblo and a stop at Walatowa (they are set up to serve drinks and soon sandwiches), La Cueva, Valles Caldera, White Rock, Pojoaque (and tacos at El Parasol), then home via Santa Fe. ‘Tis a 200 mile drive, but it was wonderful to return to NM 4 and the Jemez River valley after many months.
NM 4 was clear the whole way. We first encountered snow as we neared La Cueava, nearing 7,500 feet elevation. Both campgrounds (Redondo and Jemez Falls) were closed. The road into the Visitors Center at Valles Caldera was also mostly clear of snow. But the drifts on both sides were 4 feet high (and a fellow we talked reported that was 2 feet less than a week ago). And the Valle itself was white from rim to rim (and with no grass showing, it seems that the elk went to lower elevations).
As for the hike, we stopped at the White Rock Visitors Center to pick up brochures. From there signs directed us to the White Rock Overlook and to the Blue Dot Trailhead.
The Hike
White Rock Canyon Rim Trail.Pat.2023-03-10
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
This trail is billed as an easy out-and-back hike, and that it is. At times the trail is but a few steps from the sheer cliff into the Rio Grande canyon, so the views down to the river and up the other side of the canyon are stunning. The trail is well used so it is smooth with a few areas of rocky surface.
Near the end of the designated trail, we decided to turned back. On the way out I had noticed a wide, grassy ledge a few feet below the rim trail. There appeared to be a trail along that ledge – that’s curious I thought. I had also noticed a half mile back a side trail going down off of the rim trail towards the canyon. And one more clue: GAIA GPS (on which I nowadays track our hikes) showed a trail that appeared to exist on that ledge – we decided to take it.
The ledge is 30-60 feet wide, with, yes, a nice well-used trail. It descended gradually as we headed north, and we kept an eye out for a path of some kind back up onto the rim – the cliff to our left was vertical, 20 feet tall when we started, increasing to more that 50 feet. A half mile along, I referred to GAIA and noticed a ‘narrow line’ trail going towards the cliff, and on the ground signs of a trail that corresponded to the map.
Approaching the cliff, we were looking at a cleft filled with tumbled rock. After some hesitation, Pat volunteered to check it out. And up she went. I followed – the climb went smoothly, from one rock to the next, occasionally maintaining balance with hands on nearby rocks. It was surprisingly easy. NOTE: We Would Not Recommend making this loop from the Rim Trail to the ledge in the opposite direction – descending in the rock-strewn crevice would be difficult (for me, dangerous).
Highlight
The views are spectacular: looking down at the Rio Grande nearly 1000 feet below, the sheer walls 1.25 miles across the canyon, and in the distance the Sangre de Cristo mountains and Santa Fe Ski Basin 33 miles to the east. Oh, and we could see Cañada Ancha, the wash where we did the Diablo Canyon Hike; it beckons us to do that one again. (As you may notice, the photos are a bit washed out – the sky and air were hazy that day. On a day of clear air the views would be more amazing.)
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.88 miles Elevation: start 6,274 ft, maximum 6,327 ft, minimum 6,202 ft Gross gain: 125 ft. Aggregate ascending 821 ft, descending 820 ft Maximum slope: 54% ascending, 49% descending, 7.8% average Duration: 1:50
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
The Pueblo Magico of Capulálpam de Médez was high on our list of highlights to introduce to Steve and Sharon. We reserved 2 rooms at Hotel Chorromonte for 2 nights in the center of the Pueblo, from where we could walk to the restaurants, Traditional Medicine ‘clinics’, and generally get acquainted with the Pueblo.
The Drive In
No -drive in- was required to get from Chorromonte to the trailhead located at the office of Ecoturismo Capulálpam, it was a walk of only a 1 km (2/3 mi).
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We met Ulyses, our guide, at the office of Ecoturismo Capulálpam at 9:00 and started shortly on the trail. The trail proceeds through the lush forest of these Sierra Norte mountains. We’re told there are 7 species of pine trees, many species of deciduous trees, a myriad of plants many with medicinal uses, and many species of bromeliads. Like other guides that have accompanied us on hikes here, Ulyses stopped often to point out one or another plant, describe its features and benefits, and answer our questions.
––
Epilogue
A new attraction near Capulálpam is the Mirador de Cristal de Ixtlán de Juárez, a glass-bottom balcony extending from the end of a ridge some 800 feet above the pueblo of Ixtlán de Juárez. We enjoyed a great view of the pueblo below and to the surrounding mountains.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.7 miles Elevation: start 6,818 ft, maximum 7,122 ft, minimum 6,802 ft Gross gain: 314 ft. Aggregate ascending 781 ft, descending 784 ft Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 36% descending, 9.4% average Duration: 2:44
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Our fourth outing with Jose, this one to an area that he tells us is the only rain forest in Mexico. It was definitely worth the time and the somewhat torturous drive, to an amazing place.
The Drive In
Rain Forest Trail Drivein.PatJose.2023-01-09
After our Sunrise Mirador Trail Hike and breakfast in Capulálpam, Leonel picked us up in the Ecotourismo Capulálpam pickup for the drive to Ixtlan de Juárez. There Jose had made arrangements with Ecotourixtlan for a guide and a pickup for the drive up the mountain to the Rainforest. The “road” is what we would call in New Mexico a two-track, a one lane very rocky path through the forest. The very rocky uneven surface made for a very rough ride.
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The forest throughout this area is lush with a tremendous diversity of plant life – trees, “shrub” plants, fungi, bromeliads, mosses, lichens, things that I wouldn’t recognize. Upon reaching near 10,000 feet elevation the forest changed. The tree trunks were covered with moss and strands of moss hung from every branch – this is clearly a different kind of forest.
The trail is wide and covered with a thick layer of leaves, needles, etc., much like a thick carpet – easy walking. And it is generally flat, tho’ does descend some distance from the parking area. So this is not so much a hike as a walk through an amazing forest, with the unusual drab green colors, the mosses and lichens on the tree trunks, and moss draped on nearly every non-vertical branch. At the end the first leg of the walk we climbed up on a 30′ tall tower, enjoying a great view across the mountain tops, over clouds above and below in the valleys, and into other valleys. We walked as far down the second leg as permitted, not far enough to reach Los Pozuelo, the pool of water mentioned in the description below.
In addition to the rainforest itself, the information on the signs tell a larger story. The story here in Ixtlán del Juárez is consistent with the overall attitude of this villate and the others in the Pueblos Moncomanados – honoring and preserving their history and the natural environment. Rather than leave you to read the Spanish, I offer the translation below.
Cerro de los Pozuelos (Mountain of the Wells)
THE SIERRA JUÁREZ DE OAXACA is considered by CONABIO as a priority region for the conservation (RTP 130), as it is a region important for its great biodiversity, directly related to their particular physiography and a mixture of ecological variables. The region is part of the Area of Importance for the Conservation of Birds number 11 (AICA 11), since In its forests inhabit 66 endemic species or quasi-endemic, such as the Dwarf Chara (Cyanolica nana). This zone is separate from the areas of high value of conservation (AVC), recognized by. the community and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which together form an approximate surface of 7,595 hectares, between tropical forests and mountain mesophiles, in the latter are concentrated species of flora and fauna in danger of extinction, recognized in national and international standards.
VISITOR’s CODE 1.- Follow all the instructions that the Guide tells you for the use of the area. 2.- Respect all trails, avoiding leaving it. 3.- Respect the area. (Do not cut, mutilate, or extract specimens of plants, animals, fungi or rocks). 4.- Make campfires only in the areas intended for this purpose. 5.- Transport all waste with you generated during your visit, both organic as inorganic. Remember that this forest is the cultural and natural heritage of the inhabitants of the community of Ixtlán de Juárez, for that reason respect all living beings They inhabit our forests.
You are here, in the camping area that has space for a campfire and a place of shelter.
THE MOUNTAIN MESOPHYLL FOREST is the type of vegetation that is endangered in Mexico, as it has been reduced to a small percentage, in it that we find vegetation relic, existing since the time of the dinosaurs.
LOS POZUELOS is located 600 m from this Point, this place is much appreciated, as here. The water that filters from the top of the hill is born and when travelers used the Camino Real, They rested and drank water, before continuing their journey to the community of Ixtlan.
EL CAMINO REAL is a pre-Hispanic road transited by the Zapotecs, which communicated to the villages of Rincón and Chinantla with the Valleys Central. With the arrival of the Spaniards, it was extended to the state of Veracruz.
THE THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD TREE is an oak (Ouercus sp.), in the center of the clearing, adorned in a way natural at its base, trunk and branches by epiphyte plants (plants that live on other plants), mosses, lichens and ferns, attributes that give it a high scenic beauty.
THE FOREST OF GOBLINS is a humid temperate forest, whose main vegetation are the dwarf pines (Pinus sp.). that do not reach the 30 meters high, developing at more than 3,000 meters above sea level.
AT THE TOP OF CERRO DE LOS POZUELOS you will find a tower of observation at 3,150 meters above sea level, where you can contemplate the formation of medium clouds, effect caused by moisture convergence coming from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, you can also observe the Cerro del Zempoalteptl, the peak of Orizaba and the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Drive Out
After the hike, we drove back down the road and turned toward the Mirador de Cristal, an attraction created by Ixtlan de Juarez to offer an impressive view of their village and the surrounding valleys, mountains, and some of the other villages. The Mirador is a steel structure that extends from the sharp end of a ridge above the village of Ixtlán del Juárez. In addition of the superb view of the village and the valleys beyond, the floor of the platform is glass, a challenge for those uneasy about being high with an open supporting structure. We did make a couple of rounds to test our mettle.
The truck from Ecotourixtlan that took us to the Rainforest and then to Mirador de Cristal having left, we rode back to the village in one of the ever-present moto-taxis.
Highlight
Most impressive was the transition to the nearly all green forest common above 7,000 feet in the Sierra Norte into this Rainforest. It gave me an eerie feeling, the colors and draped moss that changed the whole feeling of the forest.
Statistics
Total Distance: 1.6 miles, 2.57 m Elevation: start 10,059 ft, maximum 10,200 ft, minimum 10,018 ft start 3,066 m, maximum 3,109 m, minimum 3,053 m Gross gain: 213 ft. Aggregate ascending 213 ft, descending 307 ft gain: 65 m Aggregate ascending 65 m, descending 94 m Maximum slope: 28% ascending, 32% descending, 8.8% average Duration: 1:45
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
This is our 2nd hike during two days visiting Capulálpam, one of the Pueblos Mancomunados, Zapotec villages in the Sierra Norte (TripAdvisor: Pueblos Mancomunados). The day before we had driven from Oaxaca city to Capulálpam and hiked from Ecoturismo Capulálpam through the forest (see Capulálpam Trail Hike – 01/08/2023).
Staying the night in a cabin at Ecoturismo Capulálpam, the next morning we were promised amazing scenery, driving and hiking to a viewpoint (mirad0r) to watch the sun rise. Up long before the crack of dawn, we met José and Leonel for the drive to the trailhead and hike to the mirador. We were not disappointed.
We met Leonel and José at 0430 and made the 8 mile drive to the trailhead. The road from Ecoturismo Capulálpam was like many in the Sierra Norte – a rough, rocky two-track roadway, in this case climbing 2,500 feet to the trailhead near the mountaintop.
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
At 5:00, it was dark at 0600 when we hit the trail. Leonel gave each of us a headlamp, and off we went with Leonel leading the way. The trail was generally a gentle slope on soft soil and pine needles in a few places climbing up a bit of rock outcrop. A mile on, we reached a vantage point which presented marvelous view across the mountains to the east, clouds in the valleys all around, and the sun beginning to present its spectacular sunrise scenery.
Reaching the ridge, we spent the next 45 minutes enjoying the view – the sun coming above the mountains, the changing light from bright orange to yellow, the clouds below us changing position and shape, even the waning moon above us to the west. As full daylight set in, we then admired the surroundings – the pine trees and various shrubs and grasses on this mountain top at 10,000 feet (3,000 meters).
On our return to the trailhead, now in daylight we enjoyed the scenery of clouds on nearby mountains and valleys, and the lush forest.
Highlight
Clearly it was the sunrise above the mountains and clouds, followed closely by the experience of hiking at night.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.04 miles Elevation: start 9,306 ft, maximum 10,012 ft, minimum 9,305 ft start 2,836 m, maximum 3,052 m, minimum 2,836 m Gain: gross 707 ft, aggregate ascending 836 ft, descending 836 ft gross 216 m, aggregate ascending 255 m, descending 255 m Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 38% descending, 37% average Duration: 2:34
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. 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 screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
