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
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 our visit to Oaxaca, we made a 4-day visit to Puebla during which we made a side trip to Cholula. This post is being prepared 6 months later, so the description is minimal, but I invite you to enjoy our photos.
Getting There
We hired Uber to deliver us from Puebla to Cholula, some 8 miles, and for the return.
The Walkabout
Cholula Walkabout.Pat.2020-02-01
During our walkabout we enjoyed a lunch in a local cafe, visited the church Parroquia de San Andrés Apóstol, then visited the Great Pyramid and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora. As part of the visit to Iglesia de Nuestra Señora we toured the interior including the tunnels beneath the church which were part of the pyramid build by the Aztecs. While at the Great Pyramid we happened to come across a procession bringing one of their saints up to the church – truly a treat for our visit. From there we found our way to Cholula’s Zocalo and toured the grounds of the San Gabriel Franciscan Convent including the huge Capilla Real. We finished the day by walking through a market area near the Zocalo. Then another Uber ride back to Puebla
Statistics
Total Distance: 6.02 miles
Elevation: start 7,044 ft, maximum 7,214 ft, minimum 7,008 ft
Gross gain: 206 ft. Aggregate ascending 790 ft, descending 791 ft
Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 36% descending, 3.5% average
Duration: 8:22
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Las Conchas Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-23
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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:
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
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.
This month we returned to Red River for a week of camping in our R-Pod (see the post of our previous hike). We had reserved a campsite at the Elephant Rock Campground and planned to make returns to the Middle Fork Trail near the town of Red River and the Williams Lake Trail out of the Santa Fe Ski Basin. And we had tickets to attend Michael Martin Murphey’s “Rockin’ 3M Chuckwagon Supper and Show“.
The Drive In
The drive in to the trailhead is via NM 578, south of Red River, to the end of pavement. Then a Class 4 tw0-track to the right (FR 58) for a bit more than a mile to a large parking area. The road is a bit rough, but a vehicle with normal clearance should be able to get through (I don’t think a Prius could make it).
The Hike
Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike.Pat.2020-08-19
The hike begins with .2 mile walk, continuing on the two-track, to the trailhead – a bridge across the Middle Fork of the Red River. From there the ascent is gradual (10% average slope) with some switchbacks, particularly at the 0.6 miles. At about 1.2 miles the slope increases a bit (13.2% average) with more switchbacks until reaching the ridge and the first view of the lake. About 1.25 miles into the hike we crossed the Middle Fork on logs conveniently placed there for “us”. Upon reaching the lake, we walked around the north side for our mid-hike break/lunch and enjoyed the view across the lake to Frazier Mountain.
Highlight
The view from our table – social distancing being practiced.
As mentioned above, again this year we bought tickets to Michael Martin Murphey’s “Rockin’ 3M Chuckwagon Supper and Show“. The drive to the Ranch is on a dirt road which is a times a bit rough but passable for anything that isn’t a low-rider. The setting at the ranch is beautiful .. seating for the amphitheater is across s picturesque lake and the mountain beyond. We enjoyed a great chuckwagon meal of brisket, beans, and coleslaw (what else?) served (in these times of Covid 19) as a box supper .. it was excellent. And as always, Murphey’s music and storytelling were most entertaining.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.86 miles Elevation: start 9,637 ft, maximum 10,877 ft, minimum 9,633 ft Gross gain: 1,240 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,757 ft, descending 1,758 ft Maximum slope: 45% ascending, 38% descending, 11% average Duration: 5:06
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 on this camping trip into the Jemez Mountains, camping in the Redondo Campground (see notes from the hike the day before). We ventured again into the southwestern corner of Valles Caldera, with a plan to explore the canyon that goes east out of Redondo Meadow. Without published trails to guide us, we went a-orienteering.
The Hike
Valles Caldera-Banco Bonito Hike.Pat.2020-07-22
The 2-track descent from Banco Bonito into Redondo Meadow.
Using our lesson from yesterday about orienteering, we set placemarks on USTopo, ready to read (and follow) bearings. We planned to descend into Redondo Meadow on the same 2-track we used the day before – a bearing of 130° from the campsite. Again with yesterday’s experience regarding the topography, we worked our way around the steeper mounds/ridges (see the featured image above). Soon enough found ourselves on a 2-track that took us to the descent. Along the way we came across the last remains of two log structures, presumably from the days of the Baca Ranch (see the references below for more on the Baca Ranch and the history of Valles Grande).
Thick grass on the edge between forest and meadow.
On reaching the Meadow, we skirted its southern boundary where we had some shade, then continued on into the canyon. We looked for the coyote of yesterday, but didn’t see him. However … not far from yesterday’s encounter, we startled a coyote pup; he scampered in front of us up and over a mound. I dashed up to the top of the mound to find a large tunnel and no sign of the pup; it must have gone into its den.
Entering the canyon we found ourselves near a Class 4 2-track, identified as VC-02. We remained in the open forest for half a mile or so. As the ground started rising and the canyon was narrowing, we hiked on the 2-track itself. We didn’t have a specific destination, only the length of the hike ..and.. a plan to return to the campground before the rain showers that were forecast for the afternoon. Thus, a mile up, where we found the first sign of any running water in this canyon, we stopped for our first mid-hike break.
2-track back up onto Banco Bonito.
We had kept an eye out as we came from our descent 2-track for any other 2-tracks that would take us back up on Banco Bonito. We had seen one across the canyon, so headed for it. But … just a few yards from our break spot, we spotted a 2-track that traversed the edge back up onto Banco. We took it – a 130′ easy climb. Back on top, we returned to orienteering – bearing and compass. In a quarter of a mile, we found ourselves on a nice Class 4 2-track. As we suspected, it generally followed the edge of Banco, with intersections to other descending 2-tracks. At one point we did take a couple of right turns to keep our course along that edge. After the 2nd turn, we intercepted the 2-track we had taken outbound; from there we generally retracedthat track. And, BTW, no more than a few seconds after we got back in the R-Pod, the rain started and it rained hard for 15-20 minutes.
Our Experience
We learned a lot the day before on our Redondo Meadow Hike. Our navigating (reconnoitering) was much better getting to our chosen destinations, and the increased confidence in finding our down into Redondo Meadow and back up onto Banco Bonito made the day more relaxed. A new focus was figuring out the identifications of the various 2-tracks that we came across. At most of the intersections there were somewhat newer signs identifying roads, and in 2 instances older signs announcing trail names (and for 1 there were turn and straight ahead arrows). It will be for a future update to his post to report on these sighs.
Statistics
Total Distance: 6.39 miles
Elevation: start 8,153 ft, maximum 8,650 ft, minimum 8,054 ft
Gross gain: 596 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,253 ft, descending 1,255 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 28% descending, 5.8% average
Duration: 5:32
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.
This is our first hike during four days of camping in the Redondo Campground near the Valles Caldera. There aren’t any published trails in this area (that I can find), so this hike is based on planning using topo maps (primarily the US Topo Maps app on my Android smartphone).
Camping
First, some comments about the Redondo Campground. In the previous years Redondo was closed, so we were pleasantly surprised to find that it has been reopened. That was especially welcome information since there were no campsites available in the nearby Jemez Falls Campground. All campsites in Redondo are FF (First come-First serve), 62 of them. We are fortunate to be able to go camping during the week, and as hoped when we arrived there were many campsites available. In fact, during our three nights, only 3 other campsites occupied in the south loop were occupied.
The Hike
Valles Caldera-Redondo Meadow Hike.Pat.2020-07-21
This hike was an experience in orienteering since there are no published trails and few reports of hiking in the Valles Caldera, especially in this southwest corner of the Preserve. We set out to visit Redondo Meadow, starting from the Redondo Campground. The topography of Banco Bonito is interesting – 20′-50′ mounds and ridges with small valleys (vales?) between, with no discernible drainage pattern. That left us with hiking over the ridges and mounds or around them. The ground is even, often covered with pine needles or with wood chips from recent forest thinning – nice.
Stump and roots burned out.
All across Banco there was evidence of fire, some areas from long ago, other instances more recent. Indications of recent burns coupled with large areas of wood chips led us to suspect this was from a recent thinning project. Some trees were cut down, chipped, and chips were spread about particularly on 2-tracks. In other examples, the trees and their stumps must have been selectively burned; there was no evidence of fire beyond a few feet from the stump or trunk. For many of the burned cases, there were tunnels where roots must have completely burned out. This all seemed strange.
The greatest challenge, from looking at the topo maps, appeared to be getting down from Banco Bonito to the floor of Redondo Meadow. We identified a place where the topo lines were further apart and set that for our first waypoint. Approaching it, we came across a 2-track going down the slope giving us an easy descent.
We avoided going directly across the Meadow – it appeared to be a marshy area. Taking a bit of a detour, we crossed in deep but dry grass and headed up Redondo Creek on level and flat ground through open forest. ‘Tho we crossed a 2-track going in our direction, we kept our course, crossing Redondo Creek 2 or 3 times, then hiked along the stream until scrub oak and other bush-type plants made further progress difficult. We stopped for our mid-hike break, then “whacked” our way to the 2-track and started back towards the campground.
Lightning struck tree?
We proceeded on the 2-track, including a portion that was elevated above the Meadow – shaded and offered a great view down into the Meadow. From that vantage point we spotted an interesting feature, a circular area of burned grass, in the center a burned tree trunk. Looked to us like a lightning strike.
We remained on the 2-track into Redondo Creek canyon below the Meadow. As earlier, from the topo map we had identified a place where ascent back onto Banco Bonito would be easier; it proved to be a good choice. Back on the Banco, it was the same sort of hiking, mounds and ridges interspersed among small valleys, to return to the campsite.
Our Experience
What We Planned
A Plan for descending into Redondo Meadow.
For our first hike during this camping trip, we were attracted to the open space of Redondo Meadow and the upper reach of Redondo Creek. Looking at the topography, it appeared we would need to find a way to descend from Banco Bonito (where the campground is located) to the meadow floor; that became an “anchor point” for our track. From our campground site, we plotted a track that would take us ESE to a hook in the steep edge of Banco where it appeared the slope would be less than other places. Then our track would proceed across the meadow and up the creek as far as a Geothermal Well identified on the map. For the return, we planned to hike downstream anticipating we would find a way back up onto Banco.
What We Did
The plan vs actual.
This was truthfully our first attempt at “orienteering” and we learned a lot – particularly how important it is to use compass headings. We began by setting a course based on the topography, believing that between the topographic lines on USTopo and what we could see around us. We anticipated that we could follow the ridges and valleys of Banco Bonito and be going the right direction. Ooops .. as you see from our GoogleEarth track, we went northeast for nearly half a mile before realizing we weren’t going in the right direction. We then got out our compasses, set a waypoint for our destination, got it’s bearing from USTopo, and proceeded with compass in hand. Things went smoothly after that.
Following the bearing towards our intended descent, working our way around steep climbs onto mounds or ridges in the topography of Banco Bonito, we soon came across a 2-track (Class 5), likely an old logging road. We followed it for some distance, but when it turned away from the bearing to our waypoint, we were again bushwhacking. (Note: Bushwhacking is not an accurate description for transiting this forest; the forest is open, likely thinned in recent years with virtually no undergrowth – very easy hiking.)
Nearing our waypoint, we came upon another 2-track leading towards the edge of Banco Bonito. Upon investigation, we found that descended to the floor of Redondo Meadow; very nice. At the base of the descent we found trail signs, a couple of yellow-topped posts with arrows and on a tree, “Duke Trail”, and information that this is an equestrian and bike trail going up the 2-track.
Redondo Meadow, from ground level, Redondo Peak in the background.
Looking to cross the Meadow, we saw tall, very green grass, an indication that it might be marshy. To avoid a wet crossing, we worked our way to the right where the apparent marshy area was narrower. That proved to be dry and easy to cross. (As we started across the Meadow, we spotted a coyote near a pair of ponderosa pines. As we approached, it moved off 100 yards or so and began barking. Concerned that it was protecting something nearby, we skirted away from it and went about our business. More on this in the post for the next day’s hike.)
On the far side of the Meadow we hiked through more open forest, level ground, easy walking, generally following Redondo Creek. We crossed the Creek 2 or 3 times, working our way upstream until we found ourselves in -real- bushwhacking – thick growth of scrub oak and other plants, including one with thorns that seemed to reach out to grab us. With this, plus having been out for 3 miles, we chose to stop for our first mid-hike break, then start back to make this it our usual 6 mile hike.
After our break, we out ourselves onto the 2-track (Class 4) headed back towards the Meadow. Encountering a Y, we chose the ‘high road’ to the right which was parallel to the ‘low road’ and which gave us a great view of the Meadow below. Returning to the ‘low road’ at the western end of the Meadow, we continued on the Class 4 2-track towards a section of the edge of the Banco that appeared to be less steep slope and not so high. It proved to be a good choice – 100 feet of elevation gain, 17% average slope, easy.
Once back on Banco Bonito, using our newly learned orienteering approach we had successful return to the campground. But .. not before that day’s afternoon shower showed up. We were pelted by pea-sized hail with very few raindrops, which meant we didn’t get so wet; the hail shower subsided by the time we arrived at the camper.
Flowers
Many descriptions of hiking in New Mexico advertise the many flowers that can be encountered on the trails, particularly in the mountains. As you may have already discerned from other posts in the BLOG, I am entranced by them. And so, again during this trip, I captured photos of some beauties. You will find a collection in the gallery below.
Statistics
Total Distance: 6.18 miles Elevation: start 8,145 ft, maximum 8,338 ft, minimum 7,933 ft Gross gain: 405 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,098 ft, descending 1,099 ft Maximum slope: 38% ascending, 30% descending, 5.3% average Duration: 5:15
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.
he 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.
