Introduction

This seems to be a popular destination, although most people get to the falls on the East Fork Jemez Trail from the Battleship Rock trailhead on NM 4. 

The Drive In

We chose instead to start at the Jemez Falls Campground trailhead.

The Hike

The trail is easy to follow, seems to be well used.  The first half mile is easy, a clean trail with little elevation change.  It then starts a descent into the Jemez River canyon with stretches of the trail that are quite rocky.  About 1.25 miles on, the trail generally follows a topo line, descends a bit more to enter the short side canyon in which the Spring resides.  To reach the springs and 3 pools, one must bear to the right and climb up this side canyon .2 miles or so.  (We were tempted by what appeared to be a well-used trail that bore a bit off to the left, but noticed a log had been placed across it, a common signal that -this- is not the/a trail.)

Two of the pools looked like great for soaking, although the water was at best luke-warm.  The bottoms looked to be sandy.  A couple who were there ahead of us were enjoying the upper pool; I judge it to be about 3 feet deep.  We doffed our boots and soaked our feet for a bit, and allowed the guppies to tickle our toes.

The return was uphill, not our favorite for the last half of a hike. We were nudged on uphill, having made note on the way down of a short side trail leading to an overlook where we might have our mid-hike break.  We were not disappointed – the view was great. (See the short excursion to the south on the GPS track at the 3.23 miles from start, or about half a mile  from the trailhead.)

Statistics

Total Distance:  3.78 miles
Elevation: start 7,942 ft, maximum 7,994 ft,  minimum 7,377 ft
Gross gain: 617 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,372 ft, descending 1,370 ft
Maximum slope: 47% ascending, 48% descending, 12% average
Duration: 4:04

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.

References

YELP: McCauley Hot Springs
TripAdvisor: Hiking to McCauley Hot Springs
AllTrails: McCauley Hot Springs
Reef to Rainforest Media:
     Feral Guppies Thrive in New Mexico’s McCauley Hot Springs

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

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

For our hike on the second day of our stay in the Jemez Mountains, after breakfast at the Hwy4 Cafe in Jemez Springs we returned to Paliza Canyon, to hike up the Canyon as far as was reasonable.  We’ve hiked up as far as the turnout to Goblin Colony, but wanted to explore the Canyon itself.

The Hike

We parked at the junction of FR 10 and FR 266, .4 mile beyond the bridge across the stream.  Then headed up FR 271, the two-track that goes north between 10 and 266, for .8 miles.  Here we depart from the trail to Goblin Colony, bearing right through a fence line (the gate was open on this day).  The canyon is relatively narrow, tho’ not restricted, with a healthy forest all about.  I was disappointed that there isn’t a stream; maybe in the spring with snow-melt.  The going was easy, thus the 6.17 miles, among our longer hikes to date.

Statistics

Total Distance:  6.17 miles
Elevation: start 6,837 ft, maximum 7,537 ft,  minimum 6,837 ft
Gross gain: 700 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,586 ft, descending 1,582 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 32% descending, 8.4% average
Duration: 4:48

References & Resources (not many hikes up the canyon, most branch off to Goblin Colony)

AllTrails: Paliza Canyon

George's Photos w/ Captions: Click on Photo to show Gallery.

Introduction

This hike is on our first day of a 3-day trip to do some hiking in the Jemez Mountains.  Having just a half a day, after driving from Albuquerque and getting the R-Pod set up at the Vista Linda campground, we opted for a short hike to find Jemez Falls.  As always, the drive up the Jemez River in San Antonio Canyon is awesome.  Many of the cottonwood trees were still in their bright golden suits, and the canyon walls are amazing.  Rounding the curve at La Cueva, ’tis another 6 miles to the entrance to the Jemez Falls Campground.  Proceed to the end of the campground roads (a sign points one ahead to the Falls).

The Hike

There is not much guidance at the parking area, so we started down what appeared to be a trail to the river.  Yep, we found the river but no falls.  We headed downstream but were blocked by the cliff face at water’s edge; it was either wade across or try another route.  Since were along the river, we explored upstream until encountering another such blockage.  ‘Tis quite pleasant, with the sound of water running over rocks and an environment as close to wetter climates as we’ve encountered in New Mexico.

Still seeking the Falls, we ascended to the ridgetop and headed downstream, towards a louder sound of rushing water – maybe the falls?  Following our ears, we proceeded downstream on the crest of the ridgetop and soon encountered the sure signs of trails leading down towards the river.  And .. we were looking down on Jemez Falls.  A bit more nosing around and we found the route down to the river just below the falls.  Mission accomplished.

Statistics

Total Distance:  1.38 miles
Elevation: start 7.949 ft, maximum 7,949 ft,  minimum 7,814 ft
Gross gain: 135 ft.  Aggregate ascending 537 ft, descending 537 ft
Maximum slope: 50% ascending, 65% descending, 14% average
Duration: 1:25

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

References

US Forest Service: Jemez Falls Trailhead
Recreation.gov:  Jemez Falls (NM) Picnic Area, NM
World of Waterfalls:  Jemez Falls
AllTrails: Jemez Falls Trail

Pat's Photos: Click on Photo to show Gallery.

George's Photos: Click on Photo to show Gallery.

Introduction

Cebolla Canyon, the site of my first foray into the Jemez Mountains, with Jay in 2014. And subsequently on the Oat-Hay Canyons hike.  It is a beautiful canyon with the Rio Cebolla stream running through it.  ‘Tis a perfect setting for an autumn hike with Pat.

The Drive In

The road in from the Fish Hatchery is a bit rough, better with high-clearance vehicle. 

The Hike In

One can follow a two-track from the first 2-3 miles, but we found it much more interesting to follow the stream itself.  We crossed over to the east side of the canyon and learned that there are a few springs creating wet ground.  One spring, at the mouth of Oat Canyon, creates a very marshy area that is difficult to cross without getting wet feet. 

The river is a protected stream where New Mexico Cutthroat Trout are being protected – ’tis a catch-and-release stream.  It is frequented by fishermen – this day we saw two at the lake and encountered two others leaving.  Otherwise, one isn’t likely to see many other folks.  Highlight ‘Tis a beautiful place, ease to access, and the hiking is easy.

Statistics

Total Distance:  4.89 miles
Elevation: start 8,055 ft, maximum 8,236 ft,  minimum 8,055 ft
Gross gain: 181 ft.  Aggregate ascending 882 ft, descending 884 ft
Maximum slope: 30% ascending, 30% descending, 5.2% average
Duration: 3:53

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.

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

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

After the drive up San Antonio Canyon through the glowing cottonwoods and hiking among  the golden aspen in Barleycito and Barley canyons this past Sunday with Jay, Pat & I returned while the colors were still bright.  We were not disappointed. 

The Drive In

After breakfast at Hwy 4 Cafe, we headed on up NM 4, then NM 126 to FR 144, the destination being Bear Canyon.  We stopped at an overlook at the top of the climb up NM 126 from La Cueva to enjoy the view of the mesas to the south, San Antonio Canyon towards La Cueva, and the Jemez Mountains and Redondo Peak to the east. 

The Hike

Jay and I had hiked here back in August; today we would avoid the -steep- ascent onto the ridge above the canyon.  Like on that hike, we started by going down “Little Bear” canyon (a side-canyon south of Bear; joins Bear about halfway to Calaveras Canyon).  Rather than hiking back down FR 144, today we headed due south from the parking spot – discovered an old two-track that made an easy descent into Little Bear.  We followed the canyon for about a mile on a nice two-track or in the bottom of the canyon following cow/game paths.  We then made the turn to work our way up Bear Canyon – easy hiking like Little Bear, but with more meadow-like open spaces. 

As on the Barleycito-Barley Canyons Hike the week before, some of the aspen were in their full glory, but others had already given up their leaves. Highlight These canyons (Barley, Bear, Oat, Hay, Pony, and some unnamed canyons) make for really great hiking.  Barley and Bear are closer to NM 126, on FR 144, than the others which makes them a bit easier to get to.  And there is much more that I look forward to: finding a way to get down into San Antonio Canyon, going up further on FR 144 where more canyons beckon, and more ideas from the book “Exploring the Jemez Country”.

Statistics

Total Distance:  3.38 miles
Elevation: start 8,752 ft, maximum 8,752 ft,  minimum 8,326 ft
Gross gain: 426 ft.  Aggregate ascending 871 ft, descending 868 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 41% descending, 8% average
Duration: 3:25

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

References

ListofJohn Topo:  Bear Canyon

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

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