Category Archives: Suburban

Yorktown Riverwalk & Nolan Trail Walks – 05/15, 17, & 18/2022

July 29, 2022

During a visit to family in Virginia, Pat & I returned to trails that we often walked when we lived there twelve years ago: the Noland Trail at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News and the Riverwalk at Yorktown. These were a means for us to maintain a level of ‘fitness’, even ‘tho these trails are near sea level, not at 5,000+ ft is in New Mexico, and there is virtually no elevation gain on these trails.

The Hikes (Walkabouts)

The York River Riverwalk

York River Walkabout.PatValCurtis.2022-05-15

The Riverwalk begins in downtown Yorktown and follows the shoreline of the York River towards the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. It a paved trail, passing under the Coleman Memorial Bride, then past the Watermen’s Museum, and up on the hill where there is a battlement dating from the Revolutionary War.

Oh, and Pat & I did take a 2 hour sail on the Yorktown schooner Alliance. That brought back memories of sailing on the York River and Chesapeake Bay.

The Noland Trail at the Mariner’s Museum

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

The Nolan Trail is a well used trail familiar to us – we walked it often when we lived there 12 years ago. It follows the shoreline of The Mariners’ Lake (also known as Lake Maury), densely forested for most of it’s length. In many places it offers great views of the lake. The trail is generally smooth dirt, but with many exposed roots which have been painted with neon orange stripes — as a caution for unaware hikers? Nearby is the Mariner’s Museum with a major collection of maritime artifacts, “the largest maritime history collection in the Western Hemisphere” (Wikipedia).

Statistics

York River Walk, 05/15/2022
Total Distance: 1.50 miles
Elevation: start 8 ft, maximum 51 ft, minimum 9 ft
Gross gain: 42 ft. Aggregate ascending 170 ft, descending 157 ft
Maximum slope: 19% ascending, 17% descending, 3.4% average
Duration: 0:50

Nolan Trail Walk, 05/17/2022
Total Distance: 4.09 miles
Elevation: start 33 ft, maximum 142 ft, minimum 14 ft
Gross gain: 128 ft. Aggregate ascending 135 ft, descending 135 ft
Maximum slope: NA% ascending, NA% descending, NA% average
Duration: 1:40

Nolan Trail walk, 05/18/2022
Total Distance: 3.14 miles
Elevation: start 34 ft, maximum 142 ft, minimum 10 ft
Gross gain: 132 ft. Aggregate ascending NA ft, descending NA ft
Maximum slope: NA% ascending, NA% descending, NA% average
Duration: 1:28

York River Walkabout.PatValCurtis.2022-05-15 (KML)	64 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
York River Walkabout.PatValCurtis.2022-05-15 (GPX)	220 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-17 (KML)	55 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-17 (GPX)	55 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-18 (KML)	100 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-18 (GPX)	153 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

The York River Riverwalk

AllTrails: Yorktown Waterfront Walk
Hoppy Hikers: Yorktown Riverwalk

The Noland Trail at the Mariner’s Museum

Go Hike Virginia: Noland Trail: A Relaxing Loop Hike Around …
AllTrails: Noland Loop Trail

Hawk Watch Loop – 04/07/2022, 04/17/2022

April 17, 2022

The trails in Tijeras Canyon, like Hawk Watch, are favorites – close to home, just challenging enough to keep our physical condition, and nice scenery too. Because it is so close to the city (but not -in- the city), I’m placing this and others in Tijeras Canyon in the Category ‘Suburban’ hikes.

Today, as I will sometimes do, I did this hike solo. On other occasions, Pat & I will take a morning and do a -suburban- hike to stretch our legs (and whole body) as is the case for the 2nd hike in this BLOG post. Thru these we get more exercise than we get for our -urban’ hikes, like our walks in the Bosque.

The Drive In

The reach the trailhead, go east on NM 333 from Tramway Blvd for about 3.25 miles, then turn left onto Monticello Drive. Proceed uphill .5 miles, turn left onto Alegre Dr (there has been a sign pointing to the trailhead), then take the 2nd street to the right (another sign) onto Tres Pistolas Trail; continue to the parking lot for the Tres Pistolas Trailhead. Hike up the Tres Postolas Trail (also labeled Three Gun Springs Trail, No. 194) for about .5 miles; a few feet beyond the gate into the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, turn right and downhill onto the Hawk Watch Trail (No. 215). Enjoy this downhill stretch – from here Hawk Watch goes -uphill-.

The Hikes

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

The 1st hike, solo: I went out to hike Hawk Watch, but at the trailhead chose to explore other routes. Rather than proceeding up the main trail, from the parking area I angled off to the right (east) on what appeared to be a trail. I soon found myself in a wash, following tracks that gave me the idea it was a trail. And so it was; about 1/3 mile on, I turned onto a trail to the right anticipating that it would ultimately take me up to the Hawk Trail. So it did; the trail proceeded up hill (200′ in half a mile) and intersected with Hawk Watch. I continued from there 1.3 miles until the slope of the trail became very steep (and slippery on a sand/gravel surface) where I became uncomfortable and decided I had come far enough.

On the way down, I began looking for an alternate trail on which I might return to parking. From a higher vantage point, I had seen trails on ridges south of Hawk Watch that held promise for such an alternate route. Returning 8/10th of a mile I came across a trail to the left, so I took it. Along the way I maintained my bearings, choosing trails at a couple of intersections that seemed promising, and they did lead me right back to the Tacoma.

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

The 2nd hike, with Pat: This hike was appealing to us for one of our daily “walks”, or hikes. It offers a nice distance (that is, time spent on the hike) and some elevation gain which we need in preparation for hikes later this year, like Mount Taylor in May. So, it served our purposes nicely, and as a bonus provides great views of the Three Gun Springs canyon, the side of South Sandia Mountain, and even out across the plains to the southwest. A great “suburban” hike.

Statistics

The 1st Hike (solo):
Total Distance: 3.55 miles
Elevation: start 6,321 ft, maximum 7,699 ft, minimum 6,321 ft
Gross gain: 1,378 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,464 ft, descending 1,464 ft
Maximum slope: 45% ascending, 44% descending, 14% average
Duration: 3:18

The 2nd Hike (w/ Pat):
Total Distance: 1.8 miles
Elevation: start 6,321 ft, maximum 6,844 ft, minimum 6,321 ft
Gross gain: 514 ft. Aggregate ascending 560 ft, descending 571 ft
Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 32% descending, 11% average
Duration: 1:07

Hawk Watch Loop.Solo.2022-04-07 (KML)	75 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Hawk Watch Loop.Solo.2022-04-07 (GPX)	267 Downloads
Hawk Watch Loop Hike.Pat.2022-04-17(KML)	174 Downloads
Hawk Watch Loop Hike.Pat.2022-04-17(GPX)	160 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.

Hawk Watch Trail Hike – 10/27/2019
Hawk Watch Hike – 03/16/2014
Hawk Watch Hike – 04/27/2013
Hawk Watch Hike – 02/15/2011
All Tijeras Canyon and Vicinity Hikes

References and Resources

HawkWatch International: Manzano Mountains, NM
ASCHG: Hawk Watch Hike
SummitPost: Hawk Watch Trail
City of Albuquerque: Foothills Trail Map – Copper (.pdf)
And check other Related Posts

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

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

Oak Flats Walkabout – 04/20/2021

April 28, 2021

Another hike without a preconceived plan – we felt a need to get out for a few hours.

The Drive In

Oak Flats is close to our home in downtown Albuquerque, close for everyone living in Albuquerque. Go eastbound on I-40 to Tijeras, then south, up the hill on NM 337, to the turn to Oak Flat Road, continue for a mile to the Oak Flats Picnic Area.

The Walkabout

There are a myriad of trails in the area around the Oak Flats Picnic Area. (check CalTopo’s map). Ample parking is available at the entrance to the Picnic Area. The trails have been given names (and numbers) and there are signs at junctions. Leaving the parking area haded north, we found ourselves at a junction of the Caida del Piño and Easy Pickin’ trails. We turn right onto the latter, a 10th of a mile on we turned left onto Mahogany (which is also a two-track). We stayed on Mahogany until Gamble Oak – turned left until turning left on Caida del Piño, heading back to parking.

These trails are among the most pleasant and easy hiking in the area. The surface is dirt, often covered with pine needles, with occasional gravel and small rocks. The forest is quite open but the trails are mostly shaded.

The forest has generally been cleared of undergrowth.

This area is very popular for folks on mountain bikes. The -do- contribute to maintaining the trails in good condition. We encountered only one bike on this weekday; more bikers may use the area on weekends.

Highlight

Our timing for this ‘escape’ was excellent – we finished in time to have a fine lunch at Roots Farm Cafe, a favorite stop for us anytime we’re heading out that way.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.50 miles
Elevation: start 7,670 ft, maximum 7,690 ft, minimum 7,576 ft
Gross gain: 134 ft. Aggregate ascending 311 ft, descending 311 ft
Maximum slope: 16% ascending, 16% descending, 3.9% average
Duration: 1:36

Oak Flats Walkabout.Pat.2021-04-17 (KML)	71 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Oak Flats Walkabout.Pat.2021-04-17 (GPX)	72 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.

Ponderosa in Oak Flats Hike – 11/03/2016
Oak Flats-Ponderosa Trails HIke – o5/09/2019

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Oak Flats Picnic Site
Oak Flat Trailhead & Connector Trail 05637 (check the map)
AllTrails: Oak Flat Loop
MTB Project: Manzanita Mountains Trail System
(explore all the trails along south NM 337)
CalTopo: Oak Flats Trails

Oso Ridge-Embudito Trails Hike – 11/18/2019

December 15, 2019

Not having hiked recently, I headed out to the Northeast Heights for a hike on the western slopes of the Sandia Mountains. I chose the Embudito area because, unlike the other hiking destinations in the Foothills trails that go into the Sandias, there is not a long walk from parking to the trailhead. I had hiked the Embudito Trail before, way back in 2014, so this was also a reacquaintence with the trail.

The Hike

The trailhead is at the eastern edge of the Glenwood Hills neighborhood, east of Tramway – take Montgomery Blvd east to Glenwood Hills Dr, then right on Trailhead Rd. I chose to take the Oso Ridge trail up Oso Ridge, then loop back on the Embudito trail. I walked along residential back yards looking for the trail – it was difficult initially but after climbing up the slope a bit the trail became evident. ‘Tis a bit challenging (easy surface, just uphill) – 1,100 feet in a bit over a mile.

Once on the ridge the going was easier. It was another 300 feet of elevation gain along the ridge to the highest elevation, but easy hiking. Along the way I came upon a small heard of mule deer, a half dozen does and one buck who stood alert above me on the ridge until the does had gone to the other side of the ridge.

At about 3.75 miles into the hike the trail begins descending to intersect the Embudito trail. After relaxing a bit with ramen noodles (great to have some warm soup), I headed down Embudito and back to the Tacoma. As on so many trails in the Sandias (and elsewhere), the views were so scenic, the weather clear and sunny, and the trails challenging enough to get the body warmed up.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.96 miles
Elevation: start 6,240 ft, maximum 7,652 ft, minimum 6,240 ft
Gross gain: 1,412 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,671 ft, descending 1,671 ft
Maximum slope: 44% ascending, 39% descending, 15.7% average
Duration: 3:02

Oso Ridge-Embudito Trails Hike.Solo.2019-11-18 (KML)	100 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Oso Ridge-Embudito Trails Hike.Solo.2019-11-18 (GPX)	103 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 and Resources

AllTrails:
Oso Ridge Trail
    Oso Ridge and Embudito Trail Loop
ASCHG: Oso Ridge – Embudito Loop Hike
Santa Fe Outdoors: Oso Ridge-Embudito Loop
New Mexico Meanders:
  2017-12-02 Oso Ridge (Vertical Forest) Trail
    2017-01-14 Embudito Canyon (Sandia Mountains)

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

Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trails Hike- 11/17/2019

November 21, 2019

In Placitas for this weekend giving us an opportunity to revisit trails in the area that we’ve enjoyed in the past. And a favorite: Del Agua, with a loop finishing on the Piedra Lisa trial. We’ve hiked each of these trails and the loop many times in the past, most of them before I started this BLOG. So I will offer details more typical of recent posts.

The Drive In

Access to the trailhead for both trails is via the Forest Loop Rd. There are two entrances, not far from each other: from the Placitas Cafe the first one – .5 miles, the second one – .8 miles; the second one is preferred. This Loop Road is quite rough with rocks exposed throughout; a high-clearance vehicle isn’t required but the suspension of any vehicle will get a workout.

The Hike

Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trail Hike.Jay.2019-11-17

Initially we were a bit befuddled looking for parking for the trailhead. What we determined: since our last visit, there had been a land swap between the Forest Service and the Sandia Pueblo, and the approach to the Del Agua canyon is now on Pueblo land and off limits. Backtracking on the road to a small parking area, we discovered a sign identifying the Piedra Lisa Trail. From a past hike, we guessed that we would find a new trail that would take us from Piedra Lisa to Del Agua (we had, in fact, traversed that area on a previous Del Agua – Piedra Lisa hike). Our guess was right: some 800 yards up Piedra Lisa we encountered an intersection with the (new to us) Tightrope Trail.

Tightrope crosses the northern slopes of these foothills. It is a great trail, an improvement over the earlier approach to Del Agua; the latter was a boring half mile trek across flat, open juniper, the new trail rises up the slopes providing great views to the west and north. It is also a well made trail, along some sections following terraces on the slope making it an easy portion of the trail. Rounding the corner we found ourselves in familiar surroundings: a firm sand bottom of the canyon, juniper, oak, and cottonwood trees and underbrush through which the trail meanders. Some sections are up on the side slope of the canyon but easy treading. In the upper half of Del Agua one encounters a half dozen 8-12 foot tall rock faces to climb, but in each case there are natural steps and/or footholds that make the ascent easy. At about 2.19 miles into the hike (1.3 miles after entering the canyon) and climbing up and over those rock faces, we reached the intersection with the Piedra Lisa Trail. Piedra Lisa’s termini are on the Loop Road (north) and in Juan Tabo Canyon (south).

After our mid-hike break, we turned left (north) and headed back to the north trailhead. On the way down, a bright white outcrop caught our attention – the Quartz Outcrop to which we had hiked a couple of times in the past (which were challenging hikes – someday we might attempt a bushwhack from Piedra Lisa across an intervening arroyo to Quartz Outcrop).

Jay here: It’s been quite a while since we’ve tackled Del Agua. Which is why the new access via Tightrope had us flummoxed for a bit. But the new access is a great improvement. Not many good coffee shops (i.e. flat spots with a rock to hold the stove and a great view) but we did the best we could with what we had. Down Piedra Lisa with its usual hairy footing on loose rock is always a thrill. Two women on horseback with 2 dogs on leashes passed us going up. Still trying to figure that one out because the trail can be very narrow with steep hillside drops. I guess the horse can slip on one hoof but still have three more to work with.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.13 miles
Elevation: start 6,003 ft, maximum 7,042 ft, minimum 6,003 ft
Gross gain: 1,039 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,452 ft, descending 1,456 ft
Maximum slope: 37% ascending, 47% descending, 11.6% average
Duration: 3:15

GPS Tracks

Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trail Hike.Jay.2019-11-17 (KML)	136 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trail Hike.Jay.2019-11-17 (GPX)	115 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

USDA Forest Service: Sandia Mountain Trails (pdf)
Del Agua Trail 248
Sandia Hiking Guide: Del Agua Trail, Piedra Lisa Trail
ASCHG: Piedra Lisa North – Del Agua Loop Hike
ondafringe: North Piedra Lisa/Del Agua Loop
AllTrails: Del Agua Trail
Piedra Lisa Trail and Del Agua Trail Loop
Dog of the Desert: A note on Del Agua Trail in the northern Sandias

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

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

Hawk Watch Trail Hike – 10/27/2019

November 18, 2019

This was a return to a trail that always intrigues me – one that someday I hope to take to the top of South Sandia peak. It is so close at hand – just beyond Tramway (the eastern boundary of Albuquerque) in Tijeras Cañon. I look up at the trail almost every time I drive out to Tijeras. I’ve hiked up Hawk Watch in the past with Jay and with Pat (see References below), ‘tho the last time was 2014; descriptions were sparse so I’ll present more details here.

The Drive In

The Hike

Hawk Watch Trail Hike.Solo.2019-10-27.jpg

The trail is is used enough that it is easy to follow, except – at the bottom of the arroyo a hundred years after leaving Tres Pistolas, you may be drawn to turn left (up the arroyo); — don’t –, continue generally straight ahead to stay on Hawk Watch (Jay and I took that wrong turn back in 2013). The surface is sometimes loose gravel/small rocks, but also easy to tread upon. The trail gets gradually more and more steep as it ascends; it became steep enough after the 3rd outcrop of very large rocks that I decided I’d gone far enough, on this solo hike, and found a sheltered place for my mid-hike break, then headed back down.

Highlights

Memorable from prior hikes: formations of very large rocks through which the trail passes. I set out to attempt to identify them, so as to get an idea just how far up the mountain I have hiked, to see it from the bottom of Tijeras Cañon. I’m still not confident that I can pick out those outcrops, from the photos that I took or looking from the highway; the various outcrops that are visible just aren’t distinctive enough. My goal is to someday go to the top; maybe one day to hook up with the Hawk Watch International folks as a guide. (‘Tho, the Forest Service descriptions describes Hawk Watch as a “.. dead end trail.”; their map shows it ends about where I turned back.)

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.66 miles
Elevation: start 6,322 ft, maximum 7,633 ft, minimum 6,322 ft
Gross gain: 1,311 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,422 ft, descending 1,435 ft
Maximum slope: 44% ascending, 39% descending, 14.2% average
Duration: 3:53

Hawk Watch Trail Hike.Solo.2019-10-27 (KML)	191 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Hawk Watch Trail Hike.Solo.2019-10-27 (GPX)	105 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 and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Hawk Watch Trail 215
ASCHG: Hawk Watch Hike
AllTrails: Hawkwatch Trail
               Three Guns Spring Trail Loop
Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide: Hawk Watch Trail
New Mexico Meanders: 2017-02-25 South Sandia Peak Loop                                                          (Hawk Watch up, Crest, Tres Pistolas down)
YouTube: Hiking The Sandia Mountains – Hawk Watch Trail to Crest Trail
Past hikes: Hawk Watch Hike – 02/15/2011
                           (shows the trail to the top, with a placemark for the extent of our hike)                       Hawk Watch Hike – 04/27/2013
                      Hawk Watch Hike – 03/16/2014

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

During the spring and summer, there are so many colors to be seen on our hikes, the many flowers a’blooming. But even as winter approaches, plants are taking on their winter coats, nearly as colorful as during the summer.

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

The Volcanoes Trail Hike – 05/14/2019

May 14, 2019

Today we headed to the Volcanoes for a other “Urban” hike, places close to the city offering quite easy hiking conditions. From our upstairs window we look out at the Volcanoes each morning so they constantly beckon us.

The Drive In

The Volcanoes is part of the Petroglyph National Monument, having evolved from a ranch 50+ years ago, then becoming part of Albuquerque’s Open Spaces in the ’70s and becoming part of the Monument in the ’90s. There is ample parking at the trailhead (open from 9:00 to 5:00 daily; at other times park at the entrance gate).

The Hike

The trails range from groomed gravel or sand, some sections of hard clay, and rocky stretches as one ascends onto the slopes of the cones. As you can see from the photos, there are no trees or even shrubs; hike early or late, or plan on a day of full sun. Check the references below for trail maps and descriptions, especially the geologic history. We made two trips around Vulcan to extend our hike, having set out to do 4 miles.

Highlights

The Volcanos were a veritable flower garden – so many flowers, so many different plants.

We’ve enjoyed a lot of precipitation this winter and spring, and the flowering plants are showing the results. I lost count of the number of flowering plants that we saw, but it’s somewhere above a dozen. In many places there would be a field of 10 or 20 yards, nearly covered with yellow. In other instances we found 3, 4, even 5 different flowers mixed in together – one of Mother Nature’s bouquets. Even the grasses presented pretty pictures, glimmering in the morning sun as they waved in light breeze.

Then there are the views away from the volcanoes. The air was hazy on this day, a product of unusual high humidity I think (as noted this has been a year with lots of moisture – snow during the winter and rain this spring). Consequently details of the mountains weren’t discernible (Sandias to the east, Jemez to the north, Mount Taylor to the west, and Ladrone to the south) and the view of the City was hazy as well. Nonetheless, to be able to see such great distances in all directions is a treat.

One more feature: from the top of Vulcan one has a clean view of the Double Eagle II airport. We watched (and heard) planes in the traffic pattern, practicing landings (touch and go’s). And on this day one of the pilots is someone we are acquainted with, maybe making her first solo flight.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.92 miles
Elevation: start 5,793 ft, maximum 5,981 ft, minimum 5,792 ft
Gross gain: 189 ft. Aggregate ascending 450 ft, descending 450 ft
Maximum slope: 28% ascending, 21% descending, 4.9% average
Duration: 2:12

Volcanoes Hike.Pat.2019-05-14 (KML)	107 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Volcanoes Hike.Pat.2019-05-14 (GPX)	370 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

National Park Service:
  Petroglyph National Monument – The Volcanoes
    Volcanoes Day Use Area
    Map of the Trails (PDF)
    A Landscape of Symbols
NM Museum of Natural History & Science: Albuquerque Volcanoes
AllTrails: The Volcanoes Trail
ASCHG: Los Volcanos Hike
ProTrails: Albuquerque Volcanoes – The Three Sisters – 2.0 miles
Wikipedia: Albuquerque volcanic field
Living Nomad Style: Petroglyphs National Monument Volcanoes Trail

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

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

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

Oak Flats-Ponderosa Trails Hike – 05/09/2019

May 11, 2019

‘Twas a chilly day with rain all around, but we wanted to get out for a hike. Chose the Ponderosa trail because it was easy (we’d hiked it back in 2016). Mother Nature had blessed the area with rain within the previous 24 hours, so we carried some excess weight on the boots (sticky clay mud) during the first third of the hike. But she held off on more rain until after we finished, so we stayed dry.

The Hike

This is a -very nice- trail. It goes through mostly clean, open forest – hardly any deadfall – and the trail is smooth with very little elevation gain (‘tho one goes downhill first, then a bit uphill for the 2nd half). And .. it’s close to Albuquerque, makes for an easy hike, and one can stop by Roots Farm Cafe just south of the intersection in Tijeras for breakfast, or for lunch.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.2 miles
Elevation: start 7,536 ft, maximum 7,565 ft, minimum 7,284 ft
Gross gain: 285 ft. Aggregate ascending 528 ft, descending 528 ft
Maximum slope: 13% ascending, 12% descending, 3.7% average
Duration: 3:04

Oak Flats-Ponderosa Hike.Pat.2019-05-09 (KML)	113 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Oak Flats-Ponderosa Hike.Pat.2019-05-09 (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

Hiking in New Mexico: Ponderosa in Oak Flats Hike – 11/03/2016
USDA Forest Service: Oak Flat Trailhead & Connector Trail 05637
Manzanita Mountains Trail System (pdf)
AllTrails: Trails near Tijeras, New Mexico (Other trails in the vicinity)

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

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

Three Gun Spring Trail Hike – 03/29/2019

March 31, 2019

It has been a long time since Pat and I have hiked in the Sandias; last time was in 2017, coincidentally on Mar 30 we hiked the Three Gun Spring Trail. We had also hiked there on three outings back in the winter of 2010-2011 (if I was recording tracks then, I’ve since lost the files). This time of year, the southern end of the Sandias is preferable – more sun – it’s not so pleasant during summer temperatures. And the Three Gun Spring trail is an easy one – a really easy trail surface and a -steady- climb for a nice gain in elevation.

The Hike

Access to the trailhead is all-season: I-25 east from Albuquerque, exit at Tramway to get on NM 333 (also Old Rt 66); 3.17 miles, turn left (north) onto Monticello Dr, then up the hill for .5 miles. A sign directs you to turn left onto Alegre, then right (another sign) onto Tres Pistolas Trail. Park, check the map on the large signboard, and set out up the Three Gun Springs Trail (also know as Tres Pistolas trail). In about .3 miles you will encounter the entrance to the Sandia Mountain Wilderness; a few yards beyond that the junction with the Hawk Watch Trail, another great hike (seek hikes with Pat back in 2011, and with Jay back in 2013 and 2014).

This is a -very- scenic hike, with views of mountainscapes left, right, and ahead, especially to the vertical rock “slopes” of South Sandia peak. And views of a few of Mother Nature’s interesting rock sculptures. On this day Mother Nature also blessed us with so many early signs of spring (deserving of a post itself).

About a 1.5 miles up the trail, crossing a small canyon (or ravine?), one can turn a bit to the right to visit the trail’s namesake, Three Gun Spring. We chose to continue on up the trail, stopping for our mid-hike break with a -superb- view down the canyon, across the Manzanita Mountains to the Monzanos, and to their right the open plains of Kirtland AFB, and beyond, what we know of as Tierra Grande. ‘Tho it was a bit hazy, we could also make out the Los Pinos Mountains.

People who live in Albuquerque are so fortunate to have such amazing places to visit, to be outdoors among interesting places with scenic views. And some many so very close – within less than a half hour drive from anyplace in the city.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.13 miles
Elevation: start 6,327 ft, maximum 7,582 ft, minimum 6,326 ft
Gross gain: 1,256 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,294 ft, descending 1,294 ft
Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 32% descending, 11.5% average
Duration: 3:21

Three Gun Springs Hike.Pat.2019-03-29	101 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Three Gun Springs Hike.Pat.2019-03-29 (GPX)	65 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.

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

Three Gun Springs Trail Hike – 01/15/2010

March 30, 2019

I’ve lost the GPS track for this hike, but I found among my gazillion Hiking files this screen shot that confirms – we -really did- hike Three Gun Springs in 2010. The placemarks show the turnaround point on each hike.

The Hikes (Walkabouts)

The York River Riverwalk

The Noland Trail at the Mariner’s Museum

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

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References and Resources

The York River Riverwalk

The Noland Trail at the Mariner’s Museum

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The Drive In

The Hikes

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

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

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The Walkabout

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The Hike

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The Hike

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GPS Tracks

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Highlights

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The Hike

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The Hike

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The Hike

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