Visiting with Pat’s brother and wife in Raleigh, as is customary we took some time to get in a walk on a trail in one of the many parks in the area. Steve and Sharon chose the Durant Nature Preserve, nice trails along a stream in a forested area around Camp Durant Lake Number One.
The Drive In
These trails are in the Durant Nature Preserve in Raleigh, NC; check your favorite navigation program to find your way there.
The Hike
Durant Nature Park Trails Walk.PatSharonSteve.2023-06-13
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We visited this park during a previous visit, and again enjoyed “… pleasant to walk through the lush woods with a stream and lake nearby. But … so much green; from New Mexico, it is almost overpowering.”.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.63 miles Elevation: start 296 ft, maximum 324 ft, minimum 236 ft Gross gain: 88 ft. Aggregate ascending 307 ft, descending 308 ft Maximum slope: 16% ascending, 14% descending, 3.6% average Duration: 1:18
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.
Another revisit to Placitas Trails with Jay, rekindling good memories – and enjoying the hikes. For our most recent hike, we intended to do Piedra Lisa but did NoName and Quartz Outcrop – this trip we made it to Piedra Lisa.
The Drive In
Meeting in the parking lot for Placitas Cafe, we drove east on NM 165, 8/10th of a mile to the turnoff for the Strip Mine Trail, also Forest Loop Road 445. Then on FR 445 for 1.65 miles, turning left to parking for the Piedra Lisa – North Trailhead.
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).
‘Tho we’ve hiked the Piedra Lisa trail numerous times before, looking over those posts I see that I didn’t leave much of a description. So …
There are two parking areas, one shortly after turning left from the approach road from FR 445, and a second circular parking area. We parked under a tree before the circle, , then started out on a trail that beckoned us. But … it soon became clear that the -real- trailhead was off to our right, and from that 1st parking area – thus the dog leg on our GPS track.
From the trailhead, the trail proceeds up a wide sandy bottom of the Piedra Lisa Cañon. The northern end of the Sandia Mountains are in full view ahead of us. At 1/3rd mile, the trail climbs to the left, up above some sections of the cañon with high rock “steps” that would be difficult to get over. Another 1/3rd of a mile the trail descends back into the bottom of the cañon then up on the edge for another 2/10th mile. All along, the trail is well used and easy to follow and trek upon.
The trail climbs gradually for its full length, reaching a somewhat level spot which happens to be the junction with the Agua Sarca trail. This makes a nice stopping point for a mid-hike break, and for us the turn-around point for the day’s hike. ‘Tho the trail is in the cañon for a better part of this section, there are some opportunities for great views – the north end of the Sandia Mountains at the start of the hike, and across the Rio Grande Valley and on to Mesa Prieta and Cabezon north of Mount Taylor. And .. ’tis spring so flowers are showing their finest – Apache Plume for example.
Jay here: Still nursing an MCL sprain, I wanted to keep the hike under 4 miles. Lucky to have brought hiking poles — the trip back down on scree can be very hairy if you don’t have full faith in one of the knees.
Highlight
Revisiting old friends, Jay and the Piedra Lisa Trail.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.62 miles Elevation: start 6,026 ft, maximum 7,040 ft, minimum 6,021 ft Gross gain: 1,019 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,342 ft, descending 1,344 ft Maximum slope: 52% ascending, 54% descending, 12.6% 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.
Returning again to trails where Jay and I first hiked together.
The Drive In
Again, we met at the Strip Mine Trailhead located just off of NM 165, 0.8 miles east of the Placitas Cafe (also Blades’ Bistro). From there, we drove on Forest Loop Road 445 (a quite rocky road) for 1.3 miles, to a parking area on the left.
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).
From the trailhead at the parking area, we proceeded up a sandy wash for close to a half mile where the cañon narrowed. We had intended to hike the Piedra Lisa trail, but having not hiked it recently we passed the turnoff (less than 1/4 mile from the trailhead). By the time we realized our mistake, we decided to continue on up this cañon (which long ago we dubbed NoName). At about the .6 mile point, we came to the junction of two cañons; the clearer path ahead seemed to be to the right.
The cañon bottom was a mixture of sandy sections and wider sections with trees and dirt in the bottom; occasionally a rocky section. On both sides the terrain climbed at a steep angle, not any invitation to depart from the bottom. We began noticing more and more chunks of quartz, which led us to the conclusion we were headed towards the “Quartz Outcrop”, a place that we visited a few times in the past. With that in mind, we pressed on thinking perhaps we would come across the Outcrop.
As it appeared that this NoName cañon was petering out, and seeing a saddle on the ridge to our left, we opted to strike out in that direction, over the ridge/saddle and into the next cañon. Reaching the bottom of that cañon, we had hiked as far as our plan for the day so we headed downhill in what we thought was Quartz Outcrop Cañon (again, our name). We encountered much more quartz in this cañon, supporting our suspicion that further up the cañon one would reach the Outcrop. We noted some very large pieces of quartz, one perhaps 18″ in length, 10″-12″ in diameter and many smaller pieces. This cañon was not as easy to hike – it was more narrow than NoName and had many more rocky sections that made hiking challenging, especially going downhill.
Highlight
We enjoyed very much return to these “old stomping grounds”.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.93 miles Elevation: start 6,088 ft, maximum 7,013 ft, minimum 6,088 ft Gross gain: 925 ft. Aggregate ascending 994 ft, descending 995 ft Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 40 % descending, 11.2% average Duration: 2:22
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 met Jay in our original hiking grounds – Placitas and the northern foothills to the Sandia Mountains. We revisited an old friend, the Strip Mine Trail, one of the very first hikes that we did together back in 2012, -13, and -14, even before I started this BLOG, Hiking in New Mexico. But we haven’t hiked this trail since then.
The Drive In
We met at the Strip Mine Trailhead located just off of NM 165, 0.8 miles east of the Placitas Cafe (also Blades’ Bistro). The parking area is 300 yards off of the highway on a very rocky road.
The Hike
Strip Mine Trail Hike.Jay.2023-05-02
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
From the parking lot, we crossed the road to take up the trail that goes in a southeast direction. The terrain is in some stretches rocky, in other stretches sandy soil. These trails are used extensively by mountain bikers, well worn and easy to follow.There are many trails in the area (see Trailforks link below), and as on the Dale Ball Trails hikes, Jay is my guide.
For our hike, we started with an incline for 3/4th of a mile, dips down through an arroyo, the climbs again up some switchbacks onto a ridge to the high point for our hike. From there it’s a general descent along another arroyo, then out onto open terrain back to the parking area.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.19 miles Elevation: start 5,660 ft, maximum 6,066 ft, minimum 5,653 ft Gross gain: 406 ft. Aggregate ascending 583 ft, descending 584 ft Maximum slope: 21% ascending, 22% descending, 6.3% average Duration: 1:53
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 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.
Visiting with Pat’s brother and wife in Raleigh, as is customary we took some time to get in a walk on a trail in one of the many parks in the area. Steve and Sharon chose the Durant Nature Preserve, nice trails along a stream in a forested area around Camp Durant Lake Number One.
