Category Archives: San Juan Basin

In the San Juan Basin, NM.

Ceja Pelon Hike – 05/07/2024

May 26, 2024

Our 3rd visit to the Cuba Badlands in the San Juan Basin, this to the Ceja Pelon the 4th badlands going west from Mesa de Cuba. Like the other recent hikes, this is the time of year to visit these Badlands, before the hot weather of summer arrives. And this is a return to Ceja Pelon, having hiked there back in 2018.

The San Juan Basin covers the northwest quarter of New Mexico and a portion of Colorado along the NM-CO border. There are -many- Badlands including the Ojito (near San Ysido), San Jose (north of Cuba), and going west Lybrook, Bisti/De-Na-Zin, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, and several others (see the map at American Southwest).

Plus these five south and west of Cuba: Mesa de Cuba, Mesa Chijuilla, Mesa Penistaja, Ceja Pelon, and Cejita Blanca Mesa.

A closeup map of the first 4 of the 5 Cuba Badlands.

The Drive In

From Albuquerque, take US 550 to Cuba, but -at the entrance- to the town turn left onto NM 197. Continue south along the east of the very large Mesa de Cuba (one of the badlands) – the scenery as one reaches the end of Mesa de Cuba is quite interesting. Continue for 9.2 miles from US 550 to where NM 197 takes a sharp turn to the left. Midway around this turn take the road to the right (known as Valle San Ysidro); it is a well used (and graded) dirt road.

Continue for 7.2 miles from NM 197, then turn right onto another graded dirt road (not as well maintained as Valle San Ysidro, but suitable for “city vehicles”). Continue for 1.3 miles, then turn left onto a two-track. About 200 yards on, you will encounter a wash with a very steep drop from the edge. This probably requires a high clearance vehicle, and best done with four-wheel drive since even when dry that sand can be soft. From there continue on for for three or four hundred yards, tell you come across a large open area that appears to have been a wellhead. We parked there for our hike into Ceja Pelon.

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).

We began our hike by going up small canyon and then turned left to go up over a ridge into another slightly larger canyon. From there we followed that canyon for about a third of a mile, then turned to the right and worked our way up to the top of the Mesa. Along the way it was hard to take a step without trading on petrified wood from small shards to pieces maybe three or four inches in size. And occasionally we would see a section of a tree trunk, petrified.

From there we walked along the edge of the Mesa for about 6/10 of a mile. We enjoyed a great view of a field of mounds of black capped with gray materials (later, up close, the materials appeared to be some sort of crumbly clay, with near vertical faces of pockmarked surface in many patterns). We also came across rocks of almost every color, from tan to red, some yellow (some of this moss or lichen) – all very interesting. Along the ridge we did come across two petrified tree trunks, partially buried in the sand.

As on our previous visit to Ceja Pelon, on the return we found some shade under a piñon tree and shelter from the furious winds that followed us on this hike. We returned to the Tacoma by a different route, one that did not have such a steep slope to descend.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.69 miles
Elevation: start 6,945 ft, maximum 7,237 ft, minimum 6,945 ft
Gross gain: 292 ft. Aggregate ascending 475 ft, descending 475 ft
Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 23% descending, 5.8% average
Duration: 4:11, Average Speed: 0.6 mph

GPS Track Files for Download
Ceja Pelon Mesa Hike.Pat.2024-05-07 (KML)	36 Downloads
Ceja Pelon Mesa Hike.Pat.2024-05-07 (GPX)	35 Downloads
Ceja Pelon Mesa Drivein.Pat.2024-05-07 (KML)	27 Downloads
Ceja Pelon Mesa Drivein.Pat.2024-05-07 (GPX)	29 Downloads

Mesa de Cuba Southwest Walkabout – 05/02/2024

May 18, 2024

Weather continued to be perfect for visiting the openness of the San Juan Basin and the Badlands near Cuba, NM.

Plus these five south and west of Cuba: Mesa de Cuba, Mesa Chijuilla, Mesa Penistaja, Ceja Pelon, and Cejita Blanca Mesa.

A closeup map of the first 4 of the 5 Cuba Badlands.

The Drive In

From Albuquerque: I-25 to Bernallilo and US-550, then US 550 to the south edge of Cuba. At the edge of town turn left onto NM 197. Continue south along the large Mesa de Cuba on your right; NM 197 bends around to the west; at 5.6 miles, just past the top of a rise in the road, turn right onto a dirt road. Go around a depression (muddy after rain or snow), proceed for .6 miles. Approaching a nearly-washed crossing of an arroyo, we turned right onto a 2-track and proceeded .7 miles to our parking place. There are a few spots along this 2-track that suggest a high-clearance vehicle (we drive a Tacoma). But one could stop anywhere along this 2-track and walk from there towards very interesting territory.

The Hike

Mesa de Cuba Southwest Walkabout.Pat.2024-05-02

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

We began our Walkabout by seeking a path up onto a ridge south of were we parked. Alighting from the Tacoma, we immediately came across interesting features – the light and dark gray mounds and rocks on pedestals. After a bit of reconnoitering, we found our way up the steeper slope to the top of the ridge.

From there we enjoyed a good view of the light and dark gray mounds between there and the open plains beyond. We explored this ridge top, considered going down among the mounts but … continued on looking for more interesting features.

Before descending, our view was punctuated by small rock monuments on the end of this ridge.

From there we explored the lower level of this area enjoying the wonderful weather, walking among the scattered juniper trees, and the views of the the mesa around us. We explored a couple of small canyons that penetrated the mesa. And the edges of the dark/light gray mounds have quite an interesting appearance and texture – erosion of the fragile material forming various patterns and shapes.

We came upon more upstanding rocks, sentinels in this fascinating geology.

And we came across a few spherical shaped rocks – what variety Mother Nature produces.

Highlight

Wherever we hike, even in what seems to be the driest setting, we come across more of Mother Nature’s glory – flowers in bloom, the sculpture of skeletons of juniper trees, and sagebrush and a healthy juniper tree forming a backdrop.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.06 miles
Elevation: start 6,963 ft, maximum 7,021 ft, minimum 6,948 ft
Gross gain: 73 ft. Aggregate ascending 424 ft, descending 424 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 43% descending, 6.5% average
Duration: 3:53, Average Speed: 0.5 mph

Mesa De Cuba Southwest Walkabout.Pat.2024-05-02 (KML)	44 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Mesa De Cuba Southwest Walkabout.Pat.2024-05-02 (GPX)	43 Downloads
Mesa De Cuba Southwest Driveout.Pat.2024-05-02 (KML)	46 Downloads
Mesa De Cuba Southwest Driveout.Pat.2024-05-02 (GPX)	46 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.

Mesa de Cuba:
11/09/2014: Mesa de Cuba & Penistaja Driveabout
03/27/2015: Mesa de Cuba Hike
03/25/2018: Mesa de Cuba West Hike
All San Juan Basin hikes

References and Resources

New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout
The American Southwest: San Juan Basin Badlands
PhotoTrekNM: San Juan Basin Badlands
AllTrails: Mesa de Cuba

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

Photos

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

To date: 81 views.

Mesa Penistaja West Walkabout – 04/18/2024

May 17, 2024

This is the time of year to get out into the open plains, when the temperatures are moderate. After a driveabout the week before into the San Juan Badlands south and west of Cuba, we returned this week with sufficient time to walk among the varied geologic features of the west side of Mesa Penistaja.

Plus these five south and west of Cuba: Mesa de Cuba, Mesa Chijuilla, Mesa Penistaja, Ceja Pelon, and Cejita Blanca Mesa. A closeup map of the first 4 of the 5 Cuba Badlands.

The Drive In

US 550 to Cuba, but -at the entrance- to the town turn left onto NM 197. Continue south along the east of the very large Mesa de Cuba (one of the badlands) – the scenery as one reaches the end of Mesa de Cuba is quite interesting. Continue for 9.2 miles from US 550 to where NM 197 takes a sharp turn to the left. Midway around this turn take the road to the right (known as Valle San Ysidro); it is a well used (and graded) dirt road. Continue for 7.2 miles, then turn right onto another graded dirt road (not as well maintained as Valle San Ysidro, but suitable for “city vehicles); continue for 2.2 miles. For this walkabout we parked in an open area just beyond a cattle guard/fence line.

Side Note: On the way out after our walkabout, we explored other roads that go north from the main dirt road. We wanted to get more acquainted with the layout of these Badlands and routes to access the others (Mesa Chijuilla and Mesa de Cuba). We will return – as one can see on GoogleEarth check out the links below: “… Driveout” in the Statistics section and the Related Posts, there is much more to see.

The Hike

Mesa Penistaja West Walkabout.Pat.2024-04-18

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

Highlight

To see the geology, exposed as it in these Badlands, is most fascinating. There are the various colors and textures of the surface: charcoal black, gypsum-like white, browns, tans, some with a hint of red, even pockets of yellow. And there are so many interesting rocks – petrified wood in abundance, dark brown egg-shaped rocks (large globs that have cracked open), and then there is the petrified wood: small slivers, larger sections of a tree’s trunk, many colors and textures, and ….. There is so many interesting things on the ground that it takes a conscious effort to look up, to look around at the terrain let alone the views of mesas nearby.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation: 6,919 start ft, maximum 6,993 ft, minimum 6,914 ft
Gross gain: 79 ft. Aggregate ascending 238 ft, descending 240 ft
Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 25% descending, 3.3% average
Duration: 3:13 , Average Speed: 0.8 mph

Mesa Penistaja West Walkabout.Pat.2024-04-18 (KML)	40 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Mesa Penistaja West Walkabout.Pat.2024-04-18 (GPX)	35 Downloads
Mesa Penistaja West Driveout.Pat.2024-04-18 14 (KML)	36 Downloads
Mesa Penistaja West Driveout.Pat.2024-04-18 14 (GPX)	40 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.

Mesa Penistaja Hikes:
11/09/2014 Mesa de Cuba & Penistaja Driveabout
11/30/2015 Mesa Penistaja East
04/07/2018 Mesa Penistaja West
04/22/2018 Mesa Penistaja West
All San Juan Basin hikes

References and Resources

New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout
The American Southwest: San Juan Basin Badlands
PhotoTrekNM: San Juan Basin Badlands
AllTrails: Penistaja Mesa

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

Rattlesnake Ridge Trail Hike – 11/19/2020

December 2, 2020

This is the 2nd of 2 short hikes on a day trip to the area once inhabited by the Gallinas culture. The area is north of Cuba some 28 miles on NM 96>NM 112. In years past I’ve read about the Gallina people who occupied this area until about 1275 when they suddenly vanished. There are various explanations that make for interesting reading (see References below). But this site and the other one that we visited this trip provide a glimpse into the history of these parts.

The Drive In

To get to this area from Albuquerque, travel west on US 550 to Cuba. Continue on through Cuba for 3.6 miles, turn right (north) on NM 96. Continue for 13 miles where NM 96 turns right (east); continue north on NM 112 for 13 miles (we turned here to visit the Nogales Cliff House). Continue another 6.9 miles, turn left on NM 390 for 0.2 miles, then right onto the road to parking for Rattlesnake Ridge. There are ancient signs point the way from NM 112; the roads are Class 5, deeply rutted but Ok if one stays on the ridges.

The Hike

Gallinas Hikes Rattlesnake Ridge Trail Hike.Pat.2020-11-19

This was more of a walk than a hike – not very long and on well groomed, gravel paths. But the paths took us on a tour of a half dozen kivas or tower bases on the ridgetop/promontory.

Statistics

Total Distance: 1.17 miles
Elevation: start 7,396 ft, maximum 7,484 ft, minimum 7,392 ft
Gross gain: 92 ft. Aggregate ascending 163 ft, descending 166 ft
Maximum slope: 21% ascending, 17.5% descending, 05.0% average
Duration: 1:20

GPS Tracks

Rattlesnake Ridge Trail Drivein.Pat.2020-11-19 (KML)	106 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Rattlesnake Ridge Trail Drivein.Pat.2020-11-19 (GPX)	111 Downloads
Rattlesnake Ridge Trail Hike.Pat.2020-11-19 (KML)	77 Downloads
Rattlesnake Ridge Trail Hike.Pat.2020-11-19 (GPX)	97 Downloads

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.

Nogales Cliff House Trail Hike – 11/19/2020
Plaza Blanca Expedition – 03/28/2018
Plaza Blanca Hike – 3/15/2017

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Rattlesnake Ridge Interpretive Site (minor)
ASCHG: Rattlesnake Ridge Ruins Hike
OtherHand: Rattlesnake Ridge ruins
Chaco Lodge Hacienda BnB: Rattlesnake Ridge Ruins

About the Gallina Culture
Wikipedia: Gallina
Gallina Landscapes of History: Gallina: the culture hidden in the hills
USFS Passport in Time: Gallina Site Relocation and Documentation
And there is much more about the fascinating history of the Gallina Culture.

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

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

Nogales Cliff House Trail Hike – 11/19/2020

December 2, 2020

This hike is the first of two short hikes on a day trip to the area once inhabited by the Gallinas culture. The area is north of Cuba some 28 miles on NM 96>NM 112. In years past I’ve read about the Gallina people who occupied this area until about 1275 when they suddenly vanished. There are various explanations that make for interesting reading (see References below). But this site and the other one that we visited this trip provide a glimpse into the history of these parts.

The Drive In

To get to this area from Albuquerque, travel west on US 550 to Cuba. Continue on through Cuba for 3.6 miles, turn right (north) on NM 96. Continue for 13 miles where NM 96 turns right (east); continue north on NM 112 for 13 miles. Our first try to get to Nogales Cliff House (3 years ago and again this trip) was to turn onto a dirt road a half mile further – that didn’t work – recent snow had melted but not dried – even if dry it is a road for high-clearance vehicles. Rather, turn left at that 13 miles point onto Forest Road 313. This is a good Class 4 dirt road (courtesy the oil industry) unless there has been recent precipitation (rain or snow).

Six tenths of a mile in continue past the compound for oil field tanks and equipment. Although FR 313 continues west, turn right (north) on a lesser dirt road just beyond the compound. Follow this road for a bit more than 1 mile, then turn left; this will take you to a gas wellhead and the trailhead. These roads are Class 5 roads – low clearance “city” vehicles should avoid them.

The Hike

Nogales Cliff House Trail Hike.Pat.2020-11-19

This is a short, pleasant hike on a well used trail with a most interesting destination. From the parking area the trail proceeds up Spring Canyon, a pleasant easy walk with steep canyon walls left and right. Near the trailhead, check out the sign to get an idea of the extent of the ruins; this will help your exploration once reaching the bench where the ruins are located.

About 6/10ths of a mile from the trailhead, the trail turns abruptly up the left-hand canyon wall. Although steep, the trail is easy to follow with a few places over large rocks – not strenuous. About 300′ in elevation gain (2/10ths of a mile) we reached a large bench with a large blockhouse with erect walls to the right, come caves, and above a wall structure and larger cavity behind it. There were also remnants of other structures around the bench to the left.

It would appear the blockhouse was a gathering place and possibly food preparation – there is what appeared to be a firepit in the center of the floor and the walls were blackened (with smoke?)

There was a group of students at the site, so with the cautions of Covid, we did not explore beyond the blockhouse. We did pause there to enjoy our first mid-hike break in these amazing surroundings. The hike back down the to the floor of the canyon was in the shadow of the canyon wall, by now late afternoon. We plan to return in the future to explore further around the bench.

Statistics

Total Distance: 1.80 miles
Elevation: start 7,206 ft, maximum 7,608 ft, minimum 7,200 ft
Gross gain: 408 ft. Aggregate ascending 898 ft, descending 899 ft
Maximum slope: 82% ascending, 80% descending, 14% average
Duration: 2:23

Nogales Cliff House Trail Drivein.Pat.2020-11-19 (KML)	286 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Nogales Cliff House Trail Drivein.Pat.2020-11-19 (GPX)	307 Downloads
Nogales Cliff House Trail Hike.Pat.2020-11-19 (KML)	132 Downloads
Nogales Cliff House Trail Hike.Pat.2020-11-19 (GPX)	118 Downloads

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.

Rattlesnake Ridge Trail Hike – 11/19/2020
Plaza Blanca Expedition – 03/28/2018
Plaza Blanca Hike – 3/15/2017

References and Resources

OtherHand: Spring (Nogales) Canyon Cliff Dwellings
Rock Art Blog: Anasazi Wall painting: Nogales Cliff House
USFS Report: Potential Management Areas, page 7: Potential Management Area, Nogales Cliff House Cultural Interpretive Management Area (PDF)

About the Gallina Culture
Wikipedia: Gallina
Gallina Landscapes of History: Gallina: the culture hidden in the hills
USFS Passport in Time: Gallina Site Relocation and Documentation
And there is much more about the fascinating history of the Gallina Culture.

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

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

San Jose Badlands Hike – 11/09/2018

November 11, 2018

We’ve so enjoyed visits to other Badlands in the San Juan Basin; we chose this time to visit the San Jose Badlands.

The Drive In

From Albuquerque, go west on US 550, 5.5 miles beyond Cuba. Turn right on NM 96, proceed through La Jara and Regina. When NM 96 turns 90 degrees to the right (east), continue ahead (north) for 1.67 miles, turn left on County 391 (not marked). This is a dirt road in decent shape (it serves gas wells in the area); in about 2.3 miles you will be at the south end of San Jose Badlands. There are multiple two-tracks in the area; for our parking place, check the GPS track or the screen shot above (we drove in on the road entering from the left edge of the screenshot and parked near a gas wellhead).

The Hike

We used the ASCHG hike as a guide for our hike (see reference link below), ‘tho we didn’t follow it precisely nor did we go as far as that hike. Rounding the end of the ridge north of where we parked, the badlands came into view – a tall and steep hillside on our left punctuated with many hoodoos situated on the slope and atop the ridges. There are -so- many such formations, small and large – just the stimulation of the features of these badlands was enough to wear us out by the end of the hike; review the photos below to see for yourself (until you visit there).

The terrain is relatively flat and level and the surface in most areas is hard and smooth, although there are areas covered by a scattering of 1/2″ to 1″ dark brown to black loose rocks which sometimes makes walking a bit “slippery”. We followed the lower edge of the ridges for about 2 miles, where we found ourselves on a 2-track about 1 3/4 miles along. Continuing on the two track we descended into the northeastern part of San Jose, the only significant elevation change on our hike. ASCHG explored this lower area, but we chose to look down upon it from a high point – from that vantage point the terrain appeared to be much more challenging. After our mid-hike break with the light lunch that Pat prepares, we headed back to the truck following 2-tracks.

Highlight

In addition to the geologic features (hoodoos, etc.) there were so many interesting colors and patterns in the surface of the ground and features. The layers laid down in ancient times are evident in the grays, reds, and browns in the strata visible on the slopes of the ridges. And water is the sculptor of the shapes, from the large hoodoos to small features: in some cases water created vertical patterns of carved out material; in other cases on more level terrain it created a sharply lumpy array of small pillars; and out on level terrain leaving 1″ to 2″ rocks “high and dry”, sitting atop pedestals, the surrounding soil washed away (sort of like miniature hoodoos). I’ve tried to capture these features in the “Ground Shots” photo gallery below.

Reviewing GoogleEarth, there is much more to explore in these San Jose Badlands.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.89 miles
Elevation: start 7,384 ft, maximum 7,427 ft, minimum 7,282 ft
Gross gain: 145 ft. Aggregate ascending 474 ft, descending 474 ft
Maximum slope: 20% ascending, 23% descending, 3.8% average
Duration: 4:17

San Jose Badlands Hike.Pat.2018-11-09 (KML)	225 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
San Jose Badlands Hike.Pat.2018-11-09 (GPX)	79 Downloads

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

New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout
The American Southwest:
   San Juan Basin Badlands (an overview description)
   Map of San Juan Basin Badlands
ASCHG: San Jose Badlands Hike
Mike Spieth: Badlands of New Mexico
PhotoTrek New Mexico: San Jose Badlands 1st
Sehrer’s Place – US Hikes: San Jose Badlands [San Juan Basin]
     (Geman Visitors, in German)
Westernlady’s World: San Jose Badlands, NM (also German)

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

Georg's Photos - Ground Shots: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Cliff Ruins Expedition – 08/20/2018

September 26, 2018

Lanny and I had seen a video by Jeff Gilkey flying over Pueblo ruins atop a small mesa, specifically Mesa Pueblo. We located them using GoogleEarth, and headed that way.

The Drive In

Driving route from Grants to Cliff Ruins.

As you can see from the red track above, we missed a turn or two, found ourselves wandering among the diggings of the nearby coal mine operations, and when the tracks we were following with the GPS and USTopo became -terribly- rough, we aborted the attempt to get to Mesa Pueblo Ruins.

However, Lanny had a backup – Cliff Ruins. We located ourselves, and a label on USTopo for “Cliff House”, and judged that we were reasonably close. USTopo also indicated what appeared to be serviceable two-tracks from our position among the mine diggings towards Cliff Ruins. Along the way Nearing the site, it appeared that we needed to turn off of the “good two-track”, onto one we could barely follow. That brought us to a point adjacent to the site as indicated on USTopo; a short walk to the west and we were at the edge of White Mesa, looking into Cliff Dwelling Canyon.

The Walkabout

Walkabout on the mesa overlooking Cliff Ruins.

Walking around the edge of this canyon brought into view the Cliff Ruins, perched on a large ledge under a ceiling midway up the cliff face. We noted that the House appeared to be in excellent condition, walls almost all intact and the corners square; some fine workmanship. We could not see any reasonable path to ascend from the canyon floor to the House.

Returning the Lanny’s Jeep, we were impressed with the view across the Rio Miguel to Chivato Mesa and Cabezon. Heading back towards Grants, Lanny chose an alternate two-track which to our surprise brought us to what appeared to be an old ranch-stead. We found a corral with stables (rock walls still standing) and what may have been an abode, with the fireplace still standing.

Cliff-Ruins-Driveabout.Lanny.2018-08-20 (KML)	440 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cliff-Ruins-Driveabout.Lanny.2018-08-20 (GPX)	86 Downloads
Cliff Ruins Walkabout.Lanny.2018-08-20 (KML)	102 Downloads
Cliff Ruins Walkabout.Lanny.2018-08-20 (GPX)	86 Downloads

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:

Google Maps: Cliff Dwelling Canyon

FOLLOWUP NOTES:

From a set of comments regarding my posting of photos, “Ranch House and Stables, Rio Puerco Valley“, on Facebook’s group “Abandoned in New Mexico“, March 17, 2019:

“John Cortesy – That looks like one of the old stage coach stops on the route from Milan to Cuba. If you followed the road through the ranches, you passed a dry arroyo with a rock outcropping on the right that was a place where they watered the horses when it was flowing. The passengers would get out of the coach and carve their names and dates into the rocks above. We had taggers back in 1905 and 1897 if I remember the dates correctly. Can’t trust no one to not deface a property these days!”

“George Young – Thanks, John, for adding that information. Your suggestion would certainly make sense to me; the stable (building and fencing) appears to be more than one would use for a ranch. And I see on GoogleEarth that it is on a line from Milan to Cuba. I see also on a topo map that “El Dado Springs” is very close by. It might be worth another trip for us. From which direction did you describe the location of the “tagging”? Do you know of any more features, etc. of that stage line?”

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

Mesa Chijuilla Expedition – 02/20/2015

June 17, 2018

Vince and I went ‘wandering’ beyond Mesa de Cuba in the San Juan Badlands. This “expedition” (multiple hikes) began with exploration of the east side of Mesa Chijuilla. We then checked out another area with interesting features some 3 miles southwest of the first hike. As you will see in the photos below, we encountered some interesting geologic features: strange rocks, hoodoos, vertical erosion patterns, and more. [This is a retro-post (June 2018), an expedition with Vince back in 2015.]

The Hikes

Mesa Chijuilla Expedition.Vince.2015-02-20.#1

Mesa Chijuilla Expedition.Vince.2015-02-20.#2

Statistics

Hike #1
Total Distance: 1.90 miles
Elevation: start 7,091 ft,, maximum 7,205 ft, minimum 7,205
ft Gross gain: 114 ft, Aggregate ascending 341 ft, descending 343 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 29% descending, 6% average
Duration: 1:45

Hike #2
Total Distance: 1.12
Elevation: start 6,915 ft,, maximum 6,979 ft, minimum 6,915 ft
Gross gain: 64 ft, Aggregate ascending 308 ft, descending 308 ft
Maximum slope: 37% ascending, 30% descending, 8% average
Duration: 1:23

Mesa Chijuilla DriveOut.Vince.2015-02-20 (KML)	76 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Mesa Chijuilla DriveOut.Vince.2015-02-20 (GPX)	72 Downloads
Mesa Chijuilla Expedition.Vince.2015-02-20 (KML)	283 Downloads
Mesa Chijuilla Expedition.Vince.2015-02-20 (GPX)	76 Downloads

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

New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout
AllTrails: Mesa Chijuilla

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

Lybrook Badlands Walkabout – 05/13/2018

May 27, 2018

After visiting various places in the Ojito Wilderness, then working our way west into the area around Cuba – Mesa de Cuba West, Mesa Penistaja, and Ceja Pelon Mesa, I came upon maps of ‘all’ the badlands, extending all the way to the Chaco River (The American Southwest’s Map of the San Juan Basin Badlands and NM Magazine’s Badlands Walkabout). It only seemed reasonable to next check out Lybrook. Talking with friends at the Albuquerque Downtown Growers Market, we decided to head out that way on a nice Sunday – before summer sets in here in New Mexico.

The Drive In

Tho’ others had taken a route that brought them in to Lybrook from the west, the maps showed a shorter route – entering from the east. Well … it is a good road for most of the way, but as one enters the Badlands proper it becomes more challenging. At mile 42.4 on the Lybrook Badlands DriveInOut track for Google Earth, the road goes down a -very steep- slope (we left the Badlands going out the west road). Otherwise, thanks to the oil and gas industry, the roads are quite good.

The Walkabouts

Lybrook Badlands Walkabout.PatKelleyPatB.2018-05-13

Using ACSHG’s GoogleEarth track, Lybrook Badlands, we followed the two-track to its end, beyond their parking spot. And there we found the most amazing formations. I labeled this outing a Walkabout because we just wandered among the hoodoos, into small cañoncitos, up on top of the ridges – everywhere we looked there were fascinating views, shapes, and textures. There isn’t really much more that I can describe – the photos speak well.

We checked out a second area – it was interesting but I think we may have been saturated by that time. So we enjoyed our mid-“hike” break, wandered about a bit more, then headed for home. Tis a bit of a drive (two and a half hours one way) but absolutely well worth it. Check out the references below for the reports from others who have visited Lybrook Badlands.

The Walkabouts

Walkabout 1
Total Distance: 1.68 miles
Elevation: start 6,977 ft, maximum 7,029 ft, minimum 6,943 ft
Gross gain: 86 ft. Aggregate ascending 267 ft, descending 267 ft
Maximum slope: 30% ascending, 28% descending, 6% average
Duration: 2:04

Walkabout 2
Total Distance: 0.79 miles
Elevation: start 6,928 ft, maximum 6,968ft, minimum 6,928 ft
Gross gain: 40 ft. Aggregate ascending 95 ft, descending 91 ft
Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 16% descending, 5% average
Duration: 0:48

Lybrook Badlands DriveInOut.PatKelleyPatB.2018-05-13 (KML)	288 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Lybrook Badlands DriveInOut.PatKelleyPatB.2018-05-13 (GPX)	180 Downloads
Lybrook Badlands Walkabout - 05/13/2018 (KML)	466 Downloads
Lybrook Badlands Walkabout - 05/13/2018 (GPX)	214 Downloads

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 (roads, features, hikes, great photo collections):

ASCHG: Lybrook Badlands West from South Hike
                .kml file: Lybrook Badlands – ASCHG
Here2Where: Lybrook Badlands
AllTrails: Lybrook Badlands
AztecNM: Lybrook (Badlands) Fossil Area (brochure, maps, features & formations)
   Lybrook Badlands (Badlands Features Placemarks, .kml file)
The American Southwest: San Juan Basin Badlands
                                                Map of the San Juan Basin Badlands
New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout, directory of the 5 badlands near Cuba, NM
Mike Spieth.com: A Lybrook Badlands Project
                                 Badlands of New Mexico
Fox Dreams: The Story of New Mexico: The Lybrook Badlands
Jim Caffrey Images Photo Blog: The Other Badlands
PhotoTrek New Mexico – San Juan Basin Badlands: Lybrook Badlands
Westernlady’s World: Lybrook Badlands (in German, good maps)

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

Ceja Pelón Mesa Hike – 05/08/2018

May 13, 2018

This is the next in the string of mesas going west from Mesa de Cuba, after Mesa Chijuilla and Mesa Penistaja. Various sources have described the area as rife with petrified wood – and we were not disappointed. Access is via the same road that we use for Mesa Penistaja, except that we turn to the left onto a two-track that leads to an abandoned oil/gas wellhead.

The Hike

From parking, the first leg is north proceeding up an arroyo towards the edge of Ceja Pelón Mesa. We proceeded west along the base of the mesa, finding many interesting examples of petrified wood, from small “shavings” up to complete logs. The latter were typically partially buried, with the exposed log showing signs of gradual disintegration. About a mile into the hike, we chose to ascend up on top of the Mesa, one of the few places we could get to the top.

Once on top we had marvelous views in all four directions; particularly interesting were the volcanic necks visible on the horizon to the south, in the Rio Puerco valley. Prominent was Cabezon, but also Cerro Cuate and others as well as Mesa Prieta; and on the far horizon the Sandia Mountains. And to the east the Nacimiento and Jemez Mountains. We found more petrified wood and logs atop the mesa as well as a variety of most interesting rock formations. We found a nice pinon tree for shade for our mid-hike break, with a fabulous view across the Badlands, the aforementioned Rio Puerco features, and Mesa Chivato & Mount Taylor.

Finishing up, we retraced our route along the top of the Mesa, continuing eastward (following the route from ASCHG) to descend back to the floor of the Badlands and back to the truck. Simply another wonderful day in the Land of Enchantment.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.69 miles
Elevation: start 6,919 ft, maximum 7,240 ft, minimum 6,919 ft
Gross gain: 321 ft. Aggregate ascending 615 ft, descending 614 ft
Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 25% descending, 5% average
Duration: 5:37

Ceja Pelon Mesa DriveIn.Pat.2018-05-08 (KML)	181 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Ceja Pelon Mesa DriveIn.Pat.2018-05-08 (GPX)	306 Downloads
Ceja Pelon Mesa Hike.Pat.2018-05-08 (KML)	122 Downloads
Ceja Pelon Mesa Hike.Pat.2018-05-08 (GPX)	265 Downloads