Category Archives: 2020

Hidden Valley Trail Hike – 10/14/2020

October 24, 2020

Our second hike during a 3-day camping trip in the Jemez Mountains, at the Jemez Falls Campground. After a longer hike the day before, we chose this easier hike from Coco Rae’s book “Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve”. We were not disappointed – it was a great trail.

The Drive In

The trail begins at a two-track to the left of the main road into Valles Caldera, about half way to the Visitors Center. Parking is alongside the road, near the two-track with a cable blocking vehicle traffic. ‘Tho it isn’t visible from the parking place, the Missing Cabin is just over the ridge at the end of the two-track.

The Hike

Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-14

The hike begins with a climb over a cable (or go around it) that blocks vehicle access, and a gentle ascent to the top of a ridge. Nearing the top Missing Cabin comes into view, to further accent the views all around – the grasses of the slope east into Valle Grande and across the Valle, and north and west to the East Fork Jemez River that is flowing out the the Valle into it’s canyon and South Mountain beyond. Then skirting a grove of fir on the left, one intercepts the River and continues along the flowing stream. The trail since the two-track is a well worn path through knee high grass – easy walking.

For the next half mile the trail follows the river, crossing to the north side on a log nicely locate there for our use. At about a 1.5 miles into the hike the trail enters the East Fork canyon with rocks forming the edge of the canyon on one side or the other. The trail continues to be -easy walking- in a beautiful surrounding. And stream burbling along over rocky sections adding to the ambience.

After a stop for our mid-hike break we headed back to the Tacoma with wonderful memories of the Hidden Valley Trail.

Highlight

First, the view across Valles Grande as the trail tops the ridge and passes the Missing Cabin, is truly awesome, the nearly 4 miles across the totally open space of Valles Grande to the far edge of the Valle. And 5 miles beyond that to the eastern rim of the Caldera.

Second, the lush valley of the East Fork Jemez River even in dry time of autumn. The stream continues to flow, the grasses tho’ in their autumn brown are lush, and the fir and ponderosa trees are so healthy. This -is- a gem of a hike!

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.15 miles
Elevation: start 8,544 ft, maximum 8,592 ft, minimum 8,463 ft
Gross gain: 129 ft. Aggregate ascending 848 ft, descending 848 ft
Maximum slope: 45% ascending, 52% descending, 5.2% average
Duration: 4:43

GPS Track Files for Download
Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-14 (KML)	187 Downloads
Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-14 (GPX)	122 Downloads

Cholula Walkabout – 02/01/2020

October 24, 2020

During our visit to Oaxaca, we made a 4-day visit to Puebla during which we made a side trip to Cholula. This post is being prepared 6 months later, so the description is minimal, but I invite you to enjoy our photos.

Getting There

We hired Uber to deliver us from Puebla to Cholula, some 8 miles, and for the return.

The Walkabout

During our walkabout we enjoyed a lunch in a local cafe, visited the church Parroquia de San Andrés Apóstol, then visited the Great Pyramid and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora. As part of the visit to Iglesia de Nuestra Señora we toured the interior including the tunnels beneath the church which were part of the pyramid build by the Aztecs. While at the Great Pyramid we happened to come across a procession bringing one of their saints up to the church – truly a treat for our visit. From there we found our way to Cholula’s Zocalo and toured the grounds of the San Gabriel Franciscan Convent including the huge Capilla Real. We finished the day by walking through a market area near the Zocalo. Then another Uber ride back to Puebla

Statistics

Total Distance: 6.02 miles
Elevation: start 7,044 ft, maximum 7,214 ft, minimum 7,008 ft
Gross gain: 206 ft. Aggregate ascending 790 ft, descending 791 ft
Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 36% descending, 3.5% average
Duration: 8:22

Cholula Walkabout.Pat.2020-02-01 (KML)	90 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cholula Walkabout.Pat.2020-02-01 (GPX)	91 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

Wikipedia: Cholula, Puebla
Great Pyramid of Cholula
San Gabriel Franciscan Convent, Cholula
SFGate: Inside Cholula’s labyrinth: Exploring Mexico’s largest pyramid
aztec-history.com: cholula pyramid
Science Alert: The World’s largest Pyramid Is Hidden Under a Mountain in Mexico
BBC Future: The giant pyramid hidden inside a mountain
Mexperience: Exprience Cholula
Atlas Obscura: The Great Pyramid of Cholula

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

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

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike – 10/13/2020

October 23, 2020

We have enjoyed very much hiking in and around Valles Caldera this year. With more research, and in particular Coco Rae’s recently published book, “Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve”,we are finding places “off the beaten path”. For our first hike during this 3-night camping trip (R-Pod to Jemez Falls Campground), we were intrigued by the description of “.. otherworldly sulfur fields to pretty creek-lined meadows ..” in the Sulphur and Alamo Canyons.

The Drive In

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Drivein.Pat.2020-10-13

The drive to the trailhead, also the western boundary of the Valles Caldera Preserve, turn north off of NM 4 at milepost 27, onto Sulphur Creek Road. The trailhead is about 2.25 miles from the turn off of NM 4 on a decent Class 3-4 road. (A sign at the turnoff points the way to Forest Road 105.) Some 200 yards from NM 4, at a ‘Y’ in the road, take the leg to the right; another sign points you along to FR 105. (For the first 3+ miles the road passes through an area of private property – Sulphur Creek Road. Once entering Forest Service property the road becomes FR 105.) A gate closes the road where it enters into the Valles Caldera National Preserve. There is sufficient parking alongside the road for up to a half dozen cars.

The Hike

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike.Pat.2020-10-13

This hike is on a two-track for its full length. Through Sulphur Canyon it presents a steady moderate ascent. The surface is gravel and rock typical of a two-track in active use – it has seen heavy use recently as a crew has been thinning the forest along the road. After turning into Alamo Canyon the road is less used, in some places covered over with grass.

<span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>A place of interest to us was an area a half a mile into the hike: an area with “.. geothermal features like mud-pots and fumaroles ..”. It was a sulfur mine early in the 20th century, then a health spa through 1970, and in the 1980s a site experimenting with geothermal wells for energy production.

Bath house and Office for Sulphur Canyon Spa.

We knew we were approaching the area because of the smell of hydrogen sulfide. We explored the area with its numerous mud-pots and fumaroles, intrigued by the bubbling “froth” in a half dozen small mud-pots. And scattered around the area were relics from those past activities.

Our hike continued up the two-track following Sulphur Creek; we flushed a turkey from deep grass a half mile on. This part of the hike was very pleasant until, that is, we neared the turn into Alamo Canyon – the noise from the chain saws of thinning crews disturbed the quiet of the wilderness.

Turning right into Alamo Canyon, we passed another area of geothermal activity. It opened up into a wide valley for the first mile with great view of Redondo Border to the southeast. About half a mile on we came to the first of 3 ponds in the canyon. These are quite interesting with geothermal activity in one corner of the ponds. Most of the water in the pond was crystal clear revealing a shallow muddy bottom. Large areas of the ponds were covered with a purple “scum”, a plant we suppose that thrives on the sulfur content of water from the geothermal activity. In one corner or along one edge of each pond the water was a milky white with bubbling gas scattered about.

And such was the situation for each of the 3 ponds. This was such a pleasant hike that we discovered we had gone beyond our usual distance without realizing it. We found some shade, enjoyed our lunch, and returned to the Tacoma continuing to enjoy the autumn colors.

Statistics

Total Distance: 7.18 miles
Elevation: start 8,143 ft, maximum 8,879 ft, 8,112 minimum ft
Gross 767 gain: ft. Aggregate ascending 1,381 ft, descending 1,394 ft
Maximum slope: 24% ascending, 43% descending, 5.5% average
Duration: 5:32

Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Drivein.Pat.2020-10-13 (KML)	111 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Drivein.Pat.2020-10-13 (GPX)	176 Downloads
Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike.Pat.2020-10-13 (KML)	97 Downloads
Sulphur Creek-Alamo Canyon Hike.Pat.2020-10-13 (GPX)	146 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

National Park Service: Valles Caldera National Preserve Acquires Property with Unique Volcanic Features
Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve, Coco Rae,a
Dog of the Desert: Sulphur and Alamo Canyons in the Valles Caldera
Prime Passages: A Hike in Alamo Canyon (**excellent info on Valles Caldera and hiking there)
Natural Atlas: Sulphur Creek
OpenEI: Valles Caldera – Sulphur Springs Geothermal Area
The Great Desert: Geolgy …: Sulphur Springs
YouTube: Sulphur and Alamo Canyons in the Valles Caldera (video)

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

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

Sandia Crest North Trail – 10/09/2020

October 10, 2020

‘Tis autumn when the aspen forests “bloom” in bright yellow. The northwest slopes of North Sandia Peak have a large forest of aspen. Back in 2017 we hiked the North Crest Trail hoping to catch them in full glory – we were late. This year, we again attempted to see the spectacle – but again we were just a bit late. Next year .. ??

The Drive In

From downtown Albuquerque: east on I-40 to the Tijeras turnoff, then north on NM 14 through Cedar Crest to Antonito and the turnoff for NM 536, Sandia Crest Road (also known as the Sandia Scenic Highway). The Crest Road has many twists and turns, many at 20 mph to change direction by 180° or more. But that’s the way to get to 10,000 feet in 17 miles. There is ample parking at the Sandia Crest House (‘tho a $3 “Amenity Fee” or an America the Beautiful Pass is required; our Senior Pass was sufficient).

The Hike

The trail begins at the north end of the parking lot by skirting the downhill (east) side of the radio antenna compound. A half mile along it follows along the edge of the Crest. We passed by the Ys in the trail (referred to in our hike earlier this year), intent on getting to the Del Agua Overlook and a view of aspen in full color. The trail descends almost all the way, from 10,645 ft to 9,950 ft at the Overlook. The surface is in places rocky (solid, not loose) and in other sections a dirt trail surface, often covered by aspen leaves that had fallen.

Along the way we could see aspen along the trail, some in bright color but many already turning “dirty yellow” or the leaves had already fallen. This did not bode well for the destination view. And … sure enough, most of the slope of North Sandia Peak was bare aspen, except of one section in the middle that still had some color.

After having lunch at the Overlook, we headed back in a mid-late afternoon sun. We took advantage of that light to enjoy some of the aspen along the trail that still had their leaves. They were so very bright against the clear blue New Mexico sky, almost like they were being lit from within. So we got a taste of aspen in the autumn.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.37 miles
Elevation: start 10,642 ft, maximum 10,655 ft, minimum 9,956 ft
Gross gain: 699 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,261 ft, descending 1,263 ft
Maximum slope: 56% ascending, 58% descending, 9.6% average
Duration: 4:17

North Crest Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-09 (KML)	100 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
North Crest Trail Hike.Pat.2020-10-09 (GPX)	89 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.

North Crest Trail-North Sandia Peak Hike – 06/18/2020
North Crest Hike – 10/12/2017

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service:
    Crest Trail 130 – North & South
    Sandia Mountain Trails (PDF)
Sandia Peak.com:
    Sandia Crest Trails and Trailheads (PDF – brochure and great map)
AllTrails: North Crest Trail
Dog of the Desert: North Crest Trail, North Sandia Peak, and Survey Trail
ASCHG:
      Sandia Crest Trail North Hike
         Sandia Crest to del Agua Hike

George's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Rio Mora Trail Hike – 09/29/2020

October 4, 2020

After spending time in the Jemez Mountains last week, and seeing the colors of autumn begin to appear, we were attracted to return to the Rio Mora. Another inducement: our hike in May was foreshortened because of the high water around a river-side outcropping prevented us from going further (without wading in the swift-flowing water).

The Drive In

I-25 east from Santa Fe to Glorieta, then NM 50 to the village of Pecos (6 miles). Turn left onto NM 63 to the old mining camp of Tererro (13.5 miles). From here the road becomes more of a forest road (‘tho paved and still NM 63); it is narrow and winds a lot. About a mile on you will pass the now-inoperative Tererro Mine. From Tererro the trailhead is at the Mora Campground/Mora Recreation Area (part of the Pecos CanyonState Park, also known as the Pecos Complex Wildlife Areas).
Note: The Campground/Recreation Area was closed when we visited; as I write this it is open only Thursday thru Sunday. We parked off the road outside the Campground; while we were hiking a kind person left a note, sort of a warning that the area is not open and we maybe shouldn’t park there. The ENMRD web site advises that Day Use are open daily; the Park Map (PDF) shows North Mora fishing area about 400 yards north of the Mora Campground, so that may be an alternative for parking.

The Hike

We were greeted with a most colorful and serene scene, the campground with the yellow colors of fallen leaves against the gray tree trunks and the green of ponderosa pine. And above us, the true blue of New Mexico’s skies.

We passed through the campground and continued on an old two-track which soon turned into a well-used trail. To our right the Rio Mora burbled along, plenty of water even this late in the season. Not quite a half mile into the hike we encountered our first of 3 “rock crawls”, an outcropping at the very edge of the river – the only way forward was to crawl over the rock.

So it went, a pleasant trail along the river, another rock crawl, meandering through wide areas in the river bottom among willows, scrub oak, river maple, and many kinds of ground cover. Some plants were already showing their autumn colors; certainly there will be more to come. We encountered two more “rock crawls”, plus a “log crawl”, getting over a large tree trunk, resting at a very steep angle into the river, that we had to get over.

At 1.6 miles we took our mid-hike break in a very pleasant alcove along the river. Of course, on the return we faced the same “rock and log crawls”, but this time with a bit more confidence arising from experience.

Highlight

New Mexico offers the most amazing array of colors. Perhaps the colors stand out because they are not overwhelmed by so much green, as exists in places where there is more rain and fertile soils. Even this late in the season, flowers abound to brighten the views. As autumn is approaching, leaves are turning colors, on the trees, vines, and other plants. And no doubt the clear air, without the haze of humidity or pollutants, contributes to the colorful scenery. And often the background, such as rocks, further enhances the beauty.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.3 miles
Elevation: start 7,908 ft, maximum 8,103 ft, minimum 7,907 ft
Gross gain: 196 ft. Aggregate ascending 946 ft, descending 943 ft
Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 34% descending, 07.5% average
Duration: 4:26

Rio Mora Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-29 (KML)	197 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Rio Mora Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-29 (GPX)	262 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.

Rio Mora Hike – 05/08/2020

References and Resources

New Mexico State Parks: Pecos Canyon State Park
ReserveAmerica: Pecos Canyon State Park, NM
ExplorNM: Mora (campground)
Stop Tererro Mine.org: Help Protect the Pecos

Photos

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

Las Conchas Trail Plus East Fork Jemez River Trail Hike – 09/23/2020

October 4, 2020

This was our third hike on a 5-day camping trip to the Jemez Mountains with our R-Pod at Jemez Falls Campground. ‘Tis a quite nice campground central in the Jemez Mountains and close to the Valles Caldera. There are many great hiking trails nearby, both “formal” (established by USFS or someone) and informal (hikes that we’ve taken through interesting canyons and atop mesas).

The Drive In

From the campground, drive east on NM 4 for 4.5 miles, the 1st bridge over the Jemez River where you will find a 10-car parking lot on the left (north). The trail begins at this parking lot.

The Hike

This was a return to the Las Conchas Trail for Pat and me (see Previous Posts below). It is such a lovely trail following the East Fork of the Jemez River. The flowing stream is bounded on each side by steep slopes and cliffs, and the valley bottom is lush with grasses, flowering plants, and ponderosa pine and other healthy trees.

We started down the river, enjoying the ambience of this beautiful place. In the back of our mind, we thought we would be able to reach the “other side” of The Box, where we had hiked in the past. About half a mile in, we noticed a trail that ascended the ridge on the left (south) of the river. Thinking that might allow to get beyond The Box, we climbed up on the ridge and found ourselves on a trail for 1.5 miles; we discovered this was East Fork Trail No. 137. It was at this point, also, that we saw on the topo a trail that descended into the river cañon. Ah ha, down to The Box.

We enjoyed an easy descent into the bottom of the cañon, and saw what we took to be the upstream side of The Box. (A bit of explanation here: hiking from the west to The Box, it had appeared to us that there was no easy way to get from the downstream side of The Box to the upstream side. So it was logical, we were now on that upstream side. More explanation to follow.) Back in the cañon we found ourselves back on the Las Conchas trail No. 137. Proceeding upstream, we were again enjoying the lush, colorful foliage between the cañon walls along East Fork Jemez River. Nearing the trailhead, we stopped for our mid-hike break/lunch – what a beautiful autumn day in the Jemez Mountains.

Epilog

Ok, here’s the “more later”. Trail No. 137, East Fork Jemez River trail, goes from Battleship Rock (way west on NM 4) to the Las Conchas Trailhead. For most of the distance it remains above the Jemez River; it descends into the river canyon to join the end of the Las Conchas Trail. As for how close were we to the box? It would be close to 1.5 miles further on the East Fork Jemez River trail.

We have wondered – could one go the length, from The Box to the Conchas Trail remaining in the River canyon? One would be required to get around what appears to be a blockage at each end. On our East Fork Jemez Box Hike, it was apparent that we would have to wade in the river to pass through a narrow passage between huge boulders. And at the end of the Las Conchas Trail Hike there was a similar blockage for continuing in the canyon. Maybe someone will comment to address the question or … we might try it one day.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation: start 8,411 ft, maximum 8,641 ft, 8,328 minimum ft
Gross gain: 313 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,153 ft, descending 1,152 ft
Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 35% descending, 7.9% average
Duration: 4:34

Las Conchas Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-23 (KML)	172 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Las Conchas Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-23 (GPX)	104 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.

Las Conchas Trail Hike – 07/26/2019

References and Resources

US Forest Service: Las Conchas Trail
                                  Las Conchas Trailhead
AllTrails: East Fork Trail via Las Conchas Trailhead
Natural Atlas: Las Conchas Trailhead, a very nice interactive map – pan, zoom etc.
SummitPost: Las Conchas, Jemez
Santa Fe New Mexican: Day Hiked: Lingering along Las Conchas Trail
ASCHG: East Fork – Las Conchas Hike
ondafringe: Day Hike: Las Conchas Trail
                      Las Conchas Trail (YouTube video, 33 minutes)
National Park Service: The Las Conchas Fire
Southwest Fire Consortium: Las Conchas Fire, Jemez Mountains, NM  (PDF)

Pat's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

George's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Valle de San Antonio Hike – 09/22/2020

September 30, 2020

Our 2nd hike on a 5-day camping trip to the Jemez Mountains with Jay and Nancy. We set up camp in the Jemez Falls Campground, a very nice Forest Service campground in the middle of the Jemez Mountains and close to Valles Caldera. Nearby are great hiking opportunities – for all skill levels, any distances.

The Drive In

From the campground, drive east to the entrance to the Valles Caldera National Preserve. There is only one road into the Preserve which takes one to the Visitor Center. To proceed beyond this point one must register (and may be required to pay an access fee, ‘tho in recent months the fees have been waived). After receiving your Pass, you will be allowed to lower the entrance cable and proceed into the Preserve.

The trailhead for this hike is in the northwestern corner of Valles Caldera. Within the Preserve, vehicles must remain on the two roads. From the Visitors Center, VC01 goes northwest between Valle Grande the lava domes Cerro La Jara and South Mountain to the Cabin District. (Among the buildings there is the ranch house featured in the series “Longmire”.) From there, VC02 proceeds northeast, about 10 miles to a T intersection with VC09. To continue for hiking downstream on San Antonio Creek, turn left on VC09 – 4 miles to park at the end of allowed access.

The Hike

Valle De San Antonio Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-22

This is may be the most beautiful area of Valles Caldera. We parked at the end of access on VC-09, then continued on foot in the wide valley of San Antonio Creek. We enjouyed magnificent views of the surrounding lava domes: to the south Cerro Seco and San Antonio Mountain, and to the north and west the rim of the Caldera. About a mile along the old roadbed of VC-09 we crossed the bridge over San Antonio Creek, and then .. the rain showers that had sprung up around the area caught up with us. We repaired up the slope and found a ponderosa pine that gave us some protection from the rain and popcorn hail shower.

After about 45 minutes pinned down by the shower, we returned to VC-09 to continue our hike. A quarter of a mile on we passed out of the Preserve and onto FR 376 which followed the contour of the caldera rim 60 feet or so above the floor of the valley. The view of the Creek from this vantage point is beautiful. In another half mile we found ourselves at the base of the road Jay and I had taken down from FR 144 for the San Antonio Canyon North Hike back in 2017. We chose to turn back here, but take a route along the Creek itself.

Of interest to us in the creek were the artificial “beaver dams” that were being constructed when Pat & I hiked here back in 2019 (Valle de San Antonio Hike – 09/11/2019). Work had been completed and the posts with willow woven between them were intact .. but no sign of beaver (yet).

The track along the river is most pleasant, with the green grasses, recently planted willows (within exclosures for protection), and the gently flowing stream. The trail is easy walking, ‘tho with one place where the artificial dam had backed up water over the trail necessitating a detour up the slope a bit. About midway back towards the parking area, the trail returns to the road and across the bridge. Proceeding north on VC-09, the view across the wide valley of San Antonio Creek is splendid. All in all, this hike easily makes it worth the extra drive from the Valles Caldera entrance.

Jay here: Wouldn’t you know it. Hail storm again. Nancy and I had been partway on the road into the caldera but never to the end where this hike began. It’s a long ride. Seems longer on the way out after a long hike. A lot of downed trees throughout which is a bit sad but the regeneration is already underway so that’s a positive sign. Nancy found some rusty gems to take back, so it was worth the trek.

Highlight

A slide show of the beautiful vista views of the Valle de San Antonio.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.35 miles
Elevation: start 8,390 ft, maximum 8,474 ft, minimum 8,326 ft
Gross gain: 148 ft. Aggregate ascending 618 ft, descending 618 ft
Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 42% descending, 04.8% average
Duration: 3:35

GPS Tracks

Valle De San Antonio Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-22 (KML)	154 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Valle De San Antonio Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-22 (GPX)	92 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.

Valle de San Antonio Hike – 09/11/2019
VC-09 Valle San Antonio Hike – 07/25/2019
San Antonio Canyon North Hike – 11/12/2017

References and Resources

National Park Service: Valles Caldera
New Mexico Nomad: The Valles Caldera
         An Excellent overview of the geology and history
NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources: The Valles Caldera: New Mexico’s Supervolcano (PDF)
Natural Atlas: Valles Caldera National Preserve (Topo & Trails)
National Geographic, Four Corners Region: Valles Caldera National Preserve – Fly Fishing
Any Place America: Valles Caldera National Preserve
      Features: creeks, springs, valleys & canyons, peaks, even “mines”
Las Cruces Sun News: Experience the beauty of Valles Caldera National Preserve
In Light of Nature: Epic Winter Crossing of the Valles Caldera
Bikepacking.com: Valles Caldera Supervolcano Explorer, New Mexico
        Really great photos

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

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

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

South Crest Trail Hike – 09/04/2020

September 26, 2020

We are so fortunate to have the Sandia Mountains so close to Albuquerque. We can make it to a great hiking trail with 20 minutes, or in summertime an hour to the top of Sandia Peak (10,200 feet) and cooler weather.

The Hike

We’ve hiked on this trail many times in the past. Review the Previous Posts below for reports from other hikes.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.08 miles
Elevation: start 10,628 ft, maximum 10,636 ft, minimum 10,136ft
Gross gain: 500 ft. Aggregate ascending 940 ft, descending 936 ft
Maximum slope: 38% ascending, 44% descending, 7.6% average
Duration: 3:56

South Crest Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-04 (KML)	182 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
South Crest Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-04 (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.

South Crest Trail Hike – 08/08/2020
South Crest Trail Hike – 07/09/2020
South Crest Trail Hike – 04/02/2017
10k-South Crest-10K Trails Hike – 07/24/2016
South Crest Trail Hike – 08/12/2014

Cerro Grande Trail Hike – 09/21/2020

September 26, 2020

This is our first hike on a 5-day camping trip to the Jemez Mountains with friends Jay and Nancy. We set up camp in the Jemez Falls Campground, a very nice Forest Service campground in the middle of the Jemez Mountains and close to Valles Caldera. Nearby are great hiking opportunities, for all skill levels, any distanc

The Drive In

The trailhead is 13 miles east of the Jemez Falls Campground on NM 4. There is a large parking area on the north side of the road at the trailhead. (Across the road are trailheads for other trails going south into the upper reaches of Bandelier, also good hiking.)

The Hike

Cerro Grande Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-21

This is a favorite trail for Pat & me, and we were pleased to bring Jay and Nancy here. On the way to the trailhead, we stopped to enjoy the tremendous view across Valle Grande, the main valley yet comprising less than 10% of the Caldera as a whole. — We did not see any elk in the Valle this morning, although often one can see one or many herds in the distance (a couple of miles – the Valle is so huge they are only dots on the valley floor.)

The first half mile of the trail is a gentle slope through open forest; like all of the trail, it is well used, makes for easy walking. From there on the slope is a bit greater but I would never classify it as steep, although at times it is on a hillside with a 50° slope. Topping the saddle (about 2/3rd to the summit) we paused to enjoy a great view west across the Valle to the far rim of the volcano and mountains south and west.

From here the trail is in open grassland except for 300 or 400 yards of open forest on the east slope of Cerro Grande. We had been watching the formation of rain cells coming from the northwest. Some went around us, but our luck ran out and precipitation began with small, soft hailstones (or were they large popcorn snow). We sought shelter in what appeared to be the last ponderosa pine on the way to the summit; it was just large enough to keep us almost dry.

The shower cells were moving slowly – some 50 minutes later that cell passed on and we headed down, foregoing those last yards to the summit (it is, after all, not a peak but a gentle mountain top). Though it remained cloudy, the hike back down was dry.

Highlight

The best I can do here is — the snow/rain quit after about 50 minutes while we huddled under a tree. We were able to return to the trailhead in dry conditions and enjoy our mid-hike break a couple of hundred yards from the parking area.

Jay here: Well, highlight is one word for it. Hail, hail, the gang’s all here, under a tree. What the heck do we care? It’s small comfort that hail storms are typical this time of year at 9k feet. You still wait for the lightning to hit the tree you are standing under. Now that’s a highlight. The sunshine at the start and the super saturated light at the end of the hike are all you have to see to experience the contrast. Great hike, great company. It’s like the analogy of who you would want to share a foxhole with…and not get killed.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.24 miles
Elevation: start 8,959 ft, maximum 10,110 ft, minimum 8,956 ft
Gross gain: 1,154 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,325 ft, descending 1,327 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 26% descending, 10.7% average
Duration: 4:47

Cerro Grande Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-21 (KML)	236 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cerro Grande Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2020-09-21 (GPX)	106 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.

Cerro Grande Trail Hike – 06/25/2019 (to the summit)
Cerro Grande Trail Hike – 05/29/2019 (halfway to the summit)

References and Resources (consolidated from previous posts)

National Park Service, Bandelier: Cerro Grande Trail
Valles Caldera Map
AllTrails: Cerro Grande Trail
Natural Atlas: Cerro Grande Trail, a very nice interactive map – pan, zoom etc.
American Southwest: Cerro Grande Trail, Bandelier National Monument
Wikipedia: Cerro Grande Fire
Valles Caldera
ondafringe: Day Hike: Cerro Grande/Valles Caldera
Stav Is Lost: Hike Cerro Grande
Discover the West: The Cerro Grande Route (great review, recommended)
Valles Caldera Rim: Valles Caldera East Rim: Cerro Grande Snowshoe
Keeping in Tune: I Hike the Cerro Grande Trail in the Jemez Mountains (great photos)
Los Alamos Daily Post: Amateur Naturalist: Cerro Grande Peak: Scene – Human and Natural Impacts

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

Jay's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

George's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

Viewpoint Loop Trail Hike – 09/15/2020

September 25, 2020

Villanueva has been on our list for some time; we made it this day.

The Drive In

East from Albuquerque on I-40 (62 miles), continue 12.3 miles past Clines Corners, turn north on NM 3, 20.4 miles to the village of Villanueva. At the main intersection in the village, turn right onto county road B29E which takes you to the Villanueva State Park, at the end of the road. There you will find 33 campsites (some with electric) and plenty of parking.

We enjoyed very much the drive north from Clines Corners. To me it represents typical northeast NM plains, flat and open. (As a friend once said, in places like this if your dog runs away you can still see him 3 days later.) There are occasional low-lying mesas along the way, the road crosses Arroyos Calaveras and Guajalote, and on higher ground juniper/piñon forests are prevail. And throughout – lush grassland (for NM). I wrote, ‘flat and open’, that is – until one comes upon the cañon of the Rio Pecos – then the land drops off quickly, some 500 feet to the cañon floor. (This is an experience I’ve encountered in other places in NE NM, such as the cañon of the Canadian River; we must go there one day – Mills Canyon Campground maybe?).

The Hike

Viewpoint Loop Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-15

There are three trails, a short one along the Pecos River and a half mile trial onto the mesa above the campground to the north. The 3rd trail, the Viewpoint Loop Trail, crosses over the Pecos River on a bridge, proceeds along the south side of the river, then up onto the mesa. It continues along the edge of the mesa for .9 miles descending gradually until a steep descent to the valley floor. The return to the bridge is on a narrow trail between the mesa cliff and the river (see map -PDF).

We hiked the loop counterclockwise, choosing first what we thought would be the steeper climb. What seemed like midway up we passed the remains of farm and ranching operations – ’tis interesting that they chose this site, up on the slopes of the mesa, for a threshing floor, corral, and other facilities. (It “seemed like” midway up, but we learned that most of the elevation gain to the mesa top was to follow.)

At the top of the ascent, for our mid-hike break, we took the spur to Upper Overlook, a set of shelters overlooking the valley. The view, particularly up the valley, was great. Back on the trail, it followed the -edge- of the mesa above the river (not too close to the edge, unless one wished to check it out – thus the photo looking down upon the campground). The trail (well marked and well traveled) continued along atop the mesa until descending back to the river’s edge (and this proved to be steep also, but with steps kindly put in place on the steepest parts). From there the trail followed the edge of the river (between the river and the bottom of the mesa face) until terminating back at the bridge.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.15 miles
Elevation: start 5,747 ft, maximum 6,175 ft, minimum 5,745 ft
Gross gain: 430 ft. Aggregate ascending 654 ft, descending 655 ft
Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 37% descending, 10.5% average
Duration: 2:41

Viewpoint Loop Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-15 (KML)	93 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Viewpoint Loop Trail Hike.Pat.2020-09-15 (GPX)	85 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

NM State Parks: Villanueva State Park
Villanueva State Park Trails (PDF)
AllTrails: Viewpoint Loop Trail

George's Photos (with captions): Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.

The Drive In

The Hike

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Getting There

The Walkabout

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