Category Archives: Locales

Dale Ball Trails – Dorothy Stewart Trail Extended – 11/16/2022

May 31, 2023

‘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

Dale Ball Trails - Dorothy Stewart Trail Extended.Jay.2022-11-16 (KML)	54 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Dale Ball Trails - Dorothy Stewart Trail Extended.Jay.2022-11-16 (GPX)	128 Downloads

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.

Dale Ball Trails Hike – 08/25/2021
Nature Conservancy-Dale Ball Trails Hike – 02/26/2021
Dale Ball Loop North Trail Hike – 05/23/2019
Hiking in the Santa Fe area

References and Resources

Santa Fe Conservation Trust: Dale Ball Trails
AllTrails: Camino Cruz Blanca to Dal Ball Trails Loop
The north extension is Dorothy Stewart
Dorothy Stewart Trail
Only in Your State: … Dorothy Stewart Trail

Jay’s Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

VC02-VC0201 Trails Hike – 05/24/2023

May 31, 2023

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.

Valles Caldera-VC02-VC0201 Trail Hike.Jay.2023-05-24

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

Valles Caldera-VC02-VC0201 Trail Hike.Jay.2023-05-24 (KML)	88 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Valles Caldera-VC02-VC0201 Trail Hike.Jay.2023-05-24 (GPX)	145 Downloads

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.

El Cajete Through Hike – 10/21/2021
VCc02-VC0201 Trail Hike – 08/31/2021
VC02 South Mountain Hike – 05/27/2019

References and Resources (** – recommended)

National Park Service:
   Valles Caldera National Preserve
     Valles Caldera – Learn About the Park
     NPS Geodiversity Atlas-Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico
** USGS: New Mexico’s answer to Yellowstone: The geological story of Valles Caldera
**NM Museum of Natural History & Science: Valles Caldera, Jemez Volcanic Field
FaceBook: Valles Caldera National Preserve
Santa Fe New Mexican: Valles Caldera reservation system sparks debate
Visit Los Alamos: Valles Caldera National Preserve
Wikipedia: Valles Caldera
Prime Passages: El Cajete Three Ways

Jay’s Photos w/ Captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

George’s Photos w/ Captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Gooseberry Springs Trail #77 – 05/26/2023

May 29, 2023

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

Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike.Pat.2023-05-26 (KML)	276 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike.Pat.2023-05-26 (GPX)	84 Downloads

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.

Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike – 05/10/2021
Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike – 06/10/2020
Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike #2- 06/13/2018
Gooseberry Springs Trail Hike – 06/01/2018

References and Resources

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.

New References:
** PeakVisor: Cibola National Forest – Mt. Taylor Ranger District (East)
      A comprehensive description of Mt Taylor and the region
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Coalition:
** Day & Overnight Hikes – New Mexico (PDF)
       A compendium of descriptions of segments of the CDT in New Mexico
    Tsoodzil (Mt. Taylor), Cibola National Forest
** Hike with Gravity: CDT 2021: Day 27, Gooseberry Springs Trail …
This is a post in his BLOG of hiking the CDT – interesting reading.
SummitPost: Gooseberry Springs Trail
** Quincy Koetz: Mt Taylor, New Mexico Winter Hike
Hiking Tom: Mount Taylor – Gooseberry Springs Trail (YouTube, late winter)
Sharing my Suitcase: Mt. Taylor- The Gooseberry Springs Trail
** Overland Mama: Weekend Camping: Cabezon Peak to Mt. Taylor etc
Trip Advisor: Mount Taylor

From Previous Posts:
US Forest Service: Gooseberry Springs Trail
Gooseberry Springs Trailhead
SummitPost: Mount Taylor
AllTrails: Gooseberry Springs and Mount Taylor Loop
Mount Taylor via Gooseberry Trail
ondafring: Day Hike: Mount Taylor
ASCHG: Mount Taylor From Gooseberry Spring Hike
Stav is Lost: Hike Mt. Taylor via Gooseberry Springs Trail (great photos)
Four Corners GeoTourism: Gooseberry Springs Trail – Mt. Taylor
Outdoor Project: Gooseberry Springs Trail to Mount Taylor
Hiking Project: Gooseberry Trail

George’s Photos w/ Captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Bosque Trail Through Hike – BioPark to Los Poblanos – Multiple

March 14, 2023

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

BioPark to Los Poblanos Bosque Trail.2023-03-14 (KML) BioPark to Los Poblanos Bosque Trail.2023-11-17 (KML)	64 Downloads 34 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
BioPark to Los Poblanos Bosque Trail.2023-03-14 (GPX) BioPark to Los Poblanos Bosque Trail.2023-11-17 (GPX)	55 Downloads 38 Downloads

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.

Bosque Trail Hikes

References and Resources

CABQ Parks & Recreation: Paseo de Bosque Trail
AllTrails: Paseo del Bosque Trail
Los Poblanos: Historic Inn and Organic Farm

White Rock Canyon Rim Trail – 03/10/2023

March 14, 2023

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

White Rock Canyon Rim Trail.Pat.2023-03-10 (KML)	59 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
White Rock Canyon Rim Trail.Pat.2023-03-10 (GPX)	70 Downloads

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.

Diablo Canyon Hike – 12/23/2017

References and Resources

Los Alamos: White Rock Canyon Rim
White Rock Canyon Trailheads (pdf)
AllTrails: White Rock Canyon Rim Trail
MTB Project: White Rock Canyon Rim Trail
GAIS GPS: White Rock Canyon Overlook via White Rock Canyon Rim Trail
ondafringe: BlueDot/RedDot Trails~White Rock Canyon

George’s Photos w/ Captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Cerrillos Hills Trails Hike – 11/03/2022

November 12, 2022

Curiosity drew us to Cerrillos Hills State Park (and with the idea we could have breakfast at Roots Farm Cafe in Tijeras on the way out, and a late lunch at The Hollar in Madrid after the hike). we visited there 4 years ago, but suspected that we didn’t fully take it in.

The Drive In

Cerrillos Hills is on the northern edge of the village of Los Cerrillos. From Albuquerque, travel north on NM 14, past Madrid about 3 miles. Turn west into Los Cerrillos before the railroad overpass. In the village, take the 1st right turn and follow the sand/gravel road to the entrance to the State Park – signs do point the way. There is a $5.00 fee for visiting – ’tis worth the contribution to NM’s state parks.

The Hike

Cerrillos Hills Trails Hike.Pat.2022-11-03

Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

Cerrillos Hills is … well, hilly. There are a number of trails that wend their way through the park. The trails are well groomed ‘tho at times a bit rocky – never the less easy ambulating. Between the hills are valleys some 100 feet deep which creates a moderate amount of elevation gain. When atop the hills, the views are great – to the Sandias to the southwest, Ortiz south, even Nacimientos to the west.

The calling card for Cerrillos Hills is that was a mining boom during the period 1879-1884. Silver, gold, lead, copper, iron, manganese and zinc were extract, tho’ not in quantities to make mining economically productive. There are numerous mine sites scattered throughout the Park. Some are nothing more than a small hole with piles of gravel around it. In other cases, there is a mine shaft going down 20′ or 30′ into the ground (these are cordoned off to prevent access).An added note – we did have threatening weather – a storm cell drifted towards from the Sandias, sprinkling just enough for us to don our raincoats. And throughout the hike we faced strong winds when atop the hills. Still, it was a really nice hike in an interesting place..

Cerrillos Hills makes for a nice day trip out of Albuquerque or Santa Fe, in Autumn, Winter, and Spring (it will be hot in Summer, with no shade on the trails, and may be uncomfortably windy in Spring)

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.65 miles
Elevation: start 5,764 ft, maximum 6,135 ft, minimum 5,763 ft
Gross gain: 372 ft. Aggregate ascending 745 ft, descending 745 ft
Maximum slope: 7% ascending, 7% descending, 6.9% average
Duration: 2:37

Cerrillos Hills Trails Hike.Pat.2022-11-03 (KML)	59 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cerrillos Hills Trails Hike.Pat.2022-11-03 (GPX)	136 Downloads

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 and Resources

New Mexico ENMRD: Cerrillos Hills State Park
AllTrails: Cerrillos Hills Historic Park Trail
Amigos de Cerrillos Hills State Park
Explore Aztec: Cerrillos Hills State Park Trails

Oak Flats-Pine Loop Trails Hike – 10/13/2022

November 2, 2022

Wishing to have a hike close to home, we returned to Oak Flats for its easy trails and autumn colors.

The Drive In

‘Tis an easy drive – east on I-40 through Tijeras Canyon, exit on NM 337 for Tijeras, then up to the top of the hill. Turn left on Oak Flat Rd, proceed for 1 mile, turn into the Oak Flats Open Spaces. Take the drive to the left, follow it around to the trailhead. (Depending on the time of day, consider stopping by Roots Farm Cafe on the way in for breakfast or coffee, or on the way out for lunch.)

The Hike

Oak Flats-Pine Loop Trails Hike.Pat.2022-10-13

Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

Like other recent hikes, we started at the Oak Flat Trailhead, proceeding on Pine Loop, Gamble Oak, then hooking up with Pine Loop to return to the trailhead.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.92 miles
Elevation: start 7,685 ft, maximum 7,692 ft, minimum 7,343 ft
Gross gain: 350 ft. Aggregate ascending 658 ft, descending 657 ft
Maximum slope: 21% ascending, 25% descending, 5.5% average
Duration: 2:03

Oak Flats-Pine Loop Trails Hike.Pat.2022-10-13 (KML)	60 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Oak Flats-Pine Loop Trails Hike.Pat.2022-10-13 (GPX)	71 Downloads

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.

Other visits to Oak Flats

Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike – 09/27/2022

November 2, 2022

During past visits to Valles Caldera, we’ve thought the view would be great from atop the mountains on the north boundary of the Caldera. A trail leads from the road that crosses the north end of the Preserve, but it entails nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain to a spot -near- the peak of Cerro de la Garita.

Also, we have been curious about the Jemez Mountains north of the Preserve, between San Valles Caldera and NM 96. Checking maps and GoogleEarth, we identified Forest Roads that 1) would take us to the north slopes of those mountains, and 2) would give us an edge of 1,400 feet for the ascent to the peak. And this would also give us a chance to explore that territory.

The Drive In

The distance from Albuquerque to Youngsville is about the same, whether going up US 550 to just beyond Cuba and then NM 96 north and east to Youngsville. Or I-25 and US 285 to Abuquiu, then NM 96 west to Youngsville. We opted for Cuba on the way out (so we could grab a burrito for breakfast at the Chaco Grill in Cuba), then returned by US 285 and I-25. Either way, it is about 124 miles.

A short distance east of Youngsville, we turned south on FR 100 for 12 miles, then turned left onto FR 99. Both roads are good Class 3s, generally through flat terrain with only a couple of narrow, steep hillside sections. And along the way they climb from 6,800 feet to 10,229 feet elevation. FR 99 tee’s into FR 144 not far from the peak of Cerro de la Garita; we parked off of the road, donned our packs, and set out for the peak.

The Hike

Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike.Pat.2022-09-27

Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

*An example of a “2-track opening”, a corridor cleared of trees and with faint vehicle tracks..*

With no marked trail to follow (or GPS track), set set out to go uphill in a general southerly direction. After crossing the edge of a gravel pit and into open forest, we came across what appeared to be an old 2-track, an open corridor in the forest – we followed it for some distance until we realized we were not on a track towards the peak. Getting better oriented with the help of the GPS and USTopo, we turned left onto another “2-track opening” that was at least going up hill.

At some point, we decided to take a bearing (using USTopo) and set our course towards the peak. So we continued at times along a 2-track opening, at other times proceeding through the open forest, aiming for the peak. That worked – we found ourselves on the edge of the mountain, on –the peak– of Cerro de la Garita at 10,612 feet elevation.

*Our first view into Valles Caldera, the northeast area – Valle Toledo.*

We were looking down upon what proved to be Valle Toledo in the northeast corner of the Caldera. What a view it was.

*The view of the northwest corner – Valle San Antonio.*

*And the view down the middle of this northern area of the Caldera – the road coming from Valle Grande through Valle Jaramillo and into Valle San Antonio.*

Thinking we might get a view that included the northwest area of the Caldera, we proceeded southwest along the edge of this mountain. We soon found ourselves on somewhat of a promontory, still at 10,570, looking down upon the whole north end of the Caldera. Wow, it was the view we were looking for.

A note about the photos: This was a very hazy day, and we were looking into the sun. So, then, the photos are hazy and the colors are not accurate, for either Pat’s iPhone or my Samsun phone. (Click on the photos to see them full-screen.)

Setting out to return to the Tacoma, we followed one of the 2-track openings downhill for some distance, then realized that we needed to turn north to the parking place. We were able to follow a sequence of the 2-track openings at generally the same elevation back to “our trailhead”.

A note about those “2-track openings”: As you can see from the GoogleEarth screen shot above (and your own view when you review our GPS track on GoogleEarth), thsese openings criss-cross the whole of the north side of La Garita. For a return visit in the future, I will do some pre-trip planning to lay out a GPS track that uses the openings to best advantage.

Highlight

Pat drove in from NM 96 and out as well; she expanded her experience driving on Forest Roads and I could give more time to the scenery and surroundings. And the hike proved to be an easy way to get to amazing views of Valles Caldera

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.07 miles
Elevation: start 10,228 ft, maximum 10,601 ft, minimum 10,198 ft
Gross gain: 403 ft. Aggregate ascending 860 ft, descending 860 ft
Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 21% descending, 6.9% average
Duration: 3:35

Cerro de la Garita North Side Drivein.Pat.2022-09-27 (KML)	68 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cerro de la Garita North Side Drivein.Pat.2022-09-27 (GPX)	62 Downloads
Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike.Pat.2022-09-27 (KML)	234 Downloads
Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike.Pat.2022-09-27 (GPX)	196 Downloads

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 and Resources

AllTrails: Cerro La Garita
Peak Advisor: Cerro de la Garita
Discover Abiquiu: Abiquiu’s Neighbor – The Village of Youngsville
(Great stories and photos)

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

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

Bosque Trail Through Hike – BioPark to Los Poblanos – 09/19/2022

October 31, 2022

We walk almost daily on the Paseo del Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande, quite close to home. Typically ’tis an out-and-back walk from 2 to as many as 5 miles. For a variation, we planned a point-to-point walk from the Bio Park to a very nice place for breakfast, Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm.

Is this a “hike” or a “walk”? Hikes commonly involve carrying a pack with extra water, lunch, and other gear and with a plan to have a mid-hike break for lunch. We don’t carry a pack for Walks. There was a time when distance influenced the category, but these days we take “walks” in the Bosque for which the distance is as much as we typically go for “hikes”. I suppose since a meal (breakfast) was included in this outing and it was long as our typical hike, I’m dubbing it a “hike”.

The Drive In

We began by parking our Subaru near Los Poblanos where there is ready access to an offshoot of the Bosque Trail, 3/10ths or a mile off of Rio Grande Blvd NW on on Dietz Farm Rd NW (just south of Montaño). We then returned with the Tacoma to the parking area for a trailhead just off of Rio Grande Blvd, adjacent to the Biopark.

The Hike

Bosque Trail Through Hike-Los Poblanos.Pat.2022-09-19

Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

The Bosque Trail is so very pleasant in the early morning hour with the low angle of the sun highlighting the river, cottonwoods, and .. the New Mexico blue sky. We’ve walked the trail so many times, in sections on our morning walks, that it was a pleasure to go point-to-point, get our 5+ miles without having to retrace our steps. Oh, and Los Poblanos is a great place to have breakfast, this day sitting outdoors

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.23 miles
Elevation: start 4,961 ft, maximum 4,985 ft, minimum 4,955 ft
Gross gain: 30 ft. Aggregate ascending 233 ft, descending 218 ft
Maximum slope: 7% ascending, 10% descending, .8% average
Duration: 1:54

Bosque Trail Through Hike-Los Poblanos.Pat.2022-09-19 (KML)	105 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Bosque Trail Through Hike-Los Poblanos.Pat.2022-09-19 (GPX)	105 Downloads

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.

Posts for Bosque Trail

References and Resources

City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation: Paseo del Bosque Trail
AllTrails: Paseo del Bosque Trail

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

Boletsakwa Ruins Hike – 09/08/2022

October 27, 2022

This is among our favorite places, although we haven’t returned there since 2018. It is an easy hike and is interesting – a place we consider first when visitors come to town.

The Drive In

From a post for an earlier visit:

“The drive from Bernalillo up US 50 to San Ysidro, then up NM 4 that follows the Jemez River, through Jemez Pueblo (honor the speed limits here) and a visit to the Visitors Center at Jemez Springs. Then we returned south, turned left on NM 290, continued past the name-place Ponderosa and further on the Paliza Campground. At the campground, we turned left onto FR 10, crossed the River and continued up the winding ascent to the top of Ponderosa Mesa. Parking at the top, we walked south, a short 1.2 miles on an easy trail to the Boletsakwa Ruins.”

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 trail begins on a 2-track at the top of the hill, up FR 10 from the bridge across the creek in Paliza Canyon (one could take a 2-track a short distance before the top of the hill that would shorten the hike a bite). From the top of the hill, the 2-track descends then ends about 3/4 mile on. From there, ascending a bit, one faces a large rock impediment. One -could- (I suppose) climb over it (it seems some do), but there is a trail that skirts the rock to the right.

The trail crosses a steep slope, ascends, and takes one beyond the rock and onto more flat terrain.

From there the trail is less distinct, but takes one to the Boletsakwa Ruins. This day, thanks to the heavy monsoon season this year, the ruins are thoroughly overgrown and difficult to discern, especially the first and oldest of the two sets or ruins. To get some pictures of the ruins more exposed, review the photos on the hike back in 2016. None-the-less, it is interesting to be in the presence of people from Jemez Pueblo in the 17th century (see Archeology of the Jemez Province).

We continued to the far end of the more recent ruins, wandered about a bit to view the depression that must have been a kiva, then went over the western edge of the mesa to have lunch on our favorite spot – rock benches overlooking San Juan Canyon and San Juan Mesa beyond.

On our return, we followed that alternate 2-track to assess its accessibility – it appears suitable for even standard-clearance passenger car.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.53 miles
Elevation: start 7,220 ft, maximum 7,265 ft, minimum 7,137 ft
Gross gain: 128 ft. Aggregate ascending 502 ft, descending 502 ft
Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 42% descending, 6.4% average
Duration: 3:17

Boletsakwa Ruins Hike.Pat.2022-09-08 (KML)	70 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Boletsakwa Ruins Hike.Pat.2022-09-08 (GPX)	66 Downloads

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 and Resources

ASCHG: Goblin Rocks And Ponderosa Indian Ruins Hike
ASCHG: Ponderosa Mesa Hike
ASCHG: Ponderosa Mesa from Paliza Group CG Hike
OtherHand: Boletsakwa Ruins
Dog of the Desert: Boletsakwa in the Jemez Mountains
Museum of New Mexico, Office of Archeological Studies:
Archeology of the Jemez Province
“Archeologies of the Pueblo Revolt ..”: Extract from
School for Advanced Research:
Archaeology of the Jemez Pueblo Revolt, Overnight in Jemez Springs
San Juan Basin Archaeological Society, Field Trip Report: Jemez Mountains (pdf)
Museum of New Mexico: … Archeology of the Jemez Province … (pdf)

The Drive In

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).

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

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The Drive In

The HikeWe’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).

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources (** – recommended)

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The Drive In

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).

Highlight

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

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).

Highlights

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

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).

Highlight

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

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).

Statistics

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

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).

Statistics

Related Posts

Share this:

The Drive In

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).

Highlight

Statistics

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

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).

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

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).

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Hike
We’ve hiked this route before – check out the links in Related Posts below.