This hike took place during a 2-night camping trip with the primary purpose – to visit the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site. After our morning tour of the Petroglyphs and lunch in the Three Rivers Campground, we set out on the Three Rivers Trail.
The trailhead is at the east end of the Three Rivers Campground. It starts out with a smooth dirt surface, in somewhat open space – typical juniper/piñon forest, with a few ponderosa. A few yards on the trail crosses to the north side of the streambed (no water here) and to the junction of the Three Rivers and Goat Canyon trails. Slope for the first mile or so, to the junction with the Dry Canyon Trail, the canyon is wide and open. Then the canyon narrows and there abouts we encountered water in the stream.
As the canyon narrowed and the trail made an “S” turn to the right, the sides of the canyon became more vertical, becoming cliffs towering above the streambed some 800 feet – awesome sights. We encountered a couple more stream crossings, easy because not a lot of water was flowing. We continued up the narrow canyon to find a “cave” and waterfall that are noted on the topo maps. Though the view of the waterfall was obscured by trees, we could see that on another day when there was a greater flow in the stream, it would be impressive.
After our mid-hike for lunch, we returned down the canyon, having enjoyed a truly great day in the mountains of New Mexico.
Postscript
We departed the Campground mid-day Sunday. Checking news Monday, we learned that the Three Rivers Fire had started 1/2 mile from the Campground Monday morning. By Tuesday the Forest Service reported it had grown to 12,000 acres and containment was only 5%. By Wednesday, after some rain and snow in the area, control was being established. But … it -must- have burned through and around the Three Rivers Canyon, -the- area through which we enjoyed such great hike on a wonderful trail. Most Unfortunate!! It will be years (decades?) before people will have such a beautiful place to hike as we enjoyed.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.90 miles Elevation: start 6,423 ft, maximum 7,516 ft, minimum 6,423 ft Gross gain: 1,093 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,398 ft, descending 1,397ft Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 37% descending, 9.0% average Duration: 3:51
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.
This 2-night camping trip with Jay and Nancy was planned so we could visit the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site. The Petroglyph Trail is just under a mile in length, so we chose to tour the Petroglyphs in the morning, then take a full hike after lunch. Visiting the Site in the cooler air of the morning was a good choice; later in the day it would become quite hot – there is no shade from the sun in New Mexico’s invariably clear blue skies.
The Drive In
We drove from Albuquerque the day before: I-25 to Moriarty, NM 41 to Willard, NM 42 to Corona, US 54 south to Carrizozo, then 13 miles further on US 54 to the Three Rivers Trading Post. Turn left onto Three Rivers Road, 15 miles to the campground which is tucked up against the Sierra Blanca mountains (total: 4 hours with the R-Pod, 192 miles). On the way to the campground, we passed the Petroglyph Site about 3 miles from the highway
The Walkabout
Three Rivers Petroglyph Trail Walkabout.PatJayNancy.2021-04-24
Parking next to the Visitors Center (closed these days), we started up a well-worn trail towards the ridge where there are some 21,000 petroglyphs. And only a few yards on we saw the first of them.
[Double-click on a photo to enlarge, use browsers <Back One Page to return to this page.>
From there the trail became a bit rocky, but we soon saw more and more of the petroglyphs. In some places we climbed off-trail to get a better look closer to them.
There are so many images among the petroglypy. We picked up a Visitors Guide which offered explanations for many of the images as well as a sketch of the history of the Site.
All of this while having a marvelous view across the Tularosa Basin to the San Andres Mountains 45 miles to the west.
Statistics
Total Distance: 1.16 miles Elevation: start 4,988 ft, maximum 5,097 ft, minimum 4,981 ft Gross gain: 116 ft. Aggregate ascending 201 ft, descending 205 ft Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 22% descending, 5.8% average Duration: 1:31
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.
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
Oak Flats Walkabout.Pat.2021-04-17
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.
Typical of the condition of the trails.
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
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.
We had no advance plan, but we needed to get out into nature this week. Weather was a bit iffy, forecast to be chilly and windy. We decided to visit an old friend, Goblin Colony, up Paliza Canyon in the Jemez Mountains.
The Drive In
Driving towards the Jemez Mountains is always pleasant. The scenery heading west on US 550 gets better as White Mesa comes into view on the left, and the red cliffs of Mesa Cuchilla west of San Ysidro and the Jemez River come into view. Then the drive north on NM 4 adds more scenery as one passes through the Jemez Pueblo (Obey the Speed Limits – the Pueblo police “give no quarter”.)
No more than half a mile from leaving the Pueblo, turn right onto NM 290, continue pasts the Ponderosa Valley Vineyards and Winery, through the sparse village of Ponderosa, past the lake providing irrigation water to the Pueblo, and onto FR 10 (where the road changes to gravel). In another 2.5 miles or so is the Paliza Camptround (not open yet, but a really nice campground). Turn left across the bridge over Paliza Creek and park at the junction of FR 10, FR 266, and FR 271.
The Hike
‘Goblin Mesa’ & Goblin Colony Hike.Pat.2021-04-07
Goblin Colony is a great, short hike to some fascinating rock formations. The hike to goes up FR 271 (a two-track), then bears to the left. ‘Tis about 1.7 miles from parking with only a couple hundred feet elevation gain. For part of the way on the two-track, water was running in Paliza Creek and was filled with watercress. About .8 miles on, bear to the left and continue up a wash (bearing to the right, through a gate across the two-track, and up Paliza Creek makes for a great alternative, or an extension for some more hiking distance).
Normally, we’ve taken the wash to the Colony. But today – we diverted to explore potential camping sites, looking for level ground on the hillside above the wash. So we climbed 50′ to to the first area, then 150′ to another; and then without a real plan we continued climbing up the side of this small mesa (I can’t find a name for it, so I’m dubbing it “Goblin Mesa”, in honor of the Colony). And we continued climbing.
As we neared the top, of course it became more and more steep, until the last 100′ we were scrambling up a rock and gravel slope, about 45°. But we gained the top of Goblin Mesa. We found ourselves on flat & level rock surface that forms the end of the mesa, with an edge that was -vertical-, dropping precipitously a few 10s of feet. From this vantage point, where we paused for a snack, we took in the marvelous views of the canyons and mesas of this part of the Jemez Mountains.
We gave only momentary thought to descending the way we came up. After checking the topo map (on USTopo, the GPS app on my phone), we decided to take our chances that there would be a easier descent (& safer!) at the other end of the mesa. The hiking along the mesa was easy with some rocky areas and a fair amount of deadfall in some areas (it appeared to be wind-blown where the mesa narrowed, exposing the trees to the strongest winds).
From visits to various sites of Pueblo ruins, I suspected there might be a Pueblo ruin of some sort on this mesa; I was on the lookout for any sign of a ruin. And I did spot a mound with lots of rocks strewn across it, which did not look like something Mother Nature would have formed. I’m convinced it is a small (15’x15′) ruin site. Hiking north for about half a mile, we found ourselves looking down upon Goblin Colony. And as hoped, we enjoyed a reasonable descent from the mesa top into the Colony.
Entering from this direction introduced us to somewhat different formations – quite interesting. We descended to the lower portion of the Colony, stopped in a nook out of the wind for our usual lunch (Trader Joe’s Ramen, PB&J sandwich, apple slices, and carrot sticks) and admired the Goblins around us. Then we hiked down the wash and Paliza Creek, back to the Tacoma.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.07 miles Elevation: start 6,854 ft, maximum 7,519 ft, minimum 6,847 ft Gross gain: 671 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,019 ft, descending 1,027 ft Maximum slope: 48% ascending, 44% descending, 7.8% average Duration: 5:30
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.
This is the 3rd post for a 5-day camping and hiking trip to the Chiricahua Mountains with our friends Jay and Nancy. Having taken a short walk on the Cave Creek Nature Trail the day we arrived at the Stewart Campground (post #1), then the Over the Ridge to Paradise Hike the next day (post #2). There are a number of trails from which to choose, but on this 3rd day in Cave Creek Canyon we chose another point-to-point hike, a portion of Basin Trail #247.
The Drive In
As for the Over the Ridge hike, we first left a car at the end-of-hike trailhead, then drove to the start-of-hike trailhead.
For the end-of-hike trailhead: From Stewart Campground, drive west on FR 42 until just past the Southwestern Research Station, where turn left onto FR 42A towards the Herb Martyr Campground. This is a primitive campground (tents only, although there was a small pop-up camper set up down a short rough road); there is ample parking for the trails that emanate from here.
For the start-of-hike trailhead: From Herb Martyr, on FR 42A return to FR 42, turn left at the Research Station and continue for 2.7 miles, 1.5 miles beyond the trailhead for the Over the Ridge hike. There is a parking are a bit off of FR 42 to the left, and a sign for the “Basin Trail No 247”.
The Hike
Basin Trail #247 Hike.PatJayNancy.2021-03-23
We chose a north-to-south hike so that we would have the ascending portion of the trail to start and the longer downhill portion to finish. Most of the trail easy easy to follow, well used. It proceeds through open piñon and juniper forest, with a a few switchbacks during the 500′ climb to the highest point on the trail (1.1 miles). Once crossing over the ridge, the trail becomes a bit more rocky (still well used, easy to follow) and one leaves the forest for more open, desert-like landscape.
The next .7 miles is an easy descent with some switchbacks, then the trail follows the contour of the terrain for 1.2 miles. From these portions of the trail, the views of this of the southeastern Chiricahuas are really great. Then the trail makes an easy descent for the next .8 miles with a wide variety of desert plants: lots of yucca, cholla, varieties of cacti, agave, manzanita, and other scrub bushes.
The maps and GPS tracks I was following tracked well the trail as we found it. However, nearing what we thought was the end, a combination of inconsistent GPS tracks and trailside signs created some confusion. At one point, where the trail intersected a two-track, there was a sign pointing down the two-track. My interpretation of the map – that would lead us to FR 42A a half mile or so from where our vehicle was parked, then nearly a half mile walk up the road. It appeared to me we could avoid the road by continuing across the two-track onto a continuation of -a- trail (which one?). After some indecisiveness, we chose the trail. The choice made for a somewhat longer hike, but it was easy ambulating and led us to the parking area. This was a great hike.
Note: After-the-fact reviews of GPS tracks that I had collected, it became apparent that we had stumbled onto another trail published widely, the the Ash Spring Loop.
Highlight
A highlight of this trail was the varied plants and especially the agave that we passed all along the descending portion of the trial. I was taken back to our visits in Oaxaca where agave abound (and are -the- ingredient in Oaxaca’s special spirit – mezcal).
The Drive Out
We enjoyed a 3rd night camping, ‘tho like the night before, it was a bit chilly and … during the night wet weather set in with drizzling rain, sometimes mixed with soft popcorn snow. Jay & Nancy needed to get home, so they headed out into iffy weather and road conditions. Not wishing to face possibly poor road conditions, Pat & I chose to remain in Stewart for another day. The weather in the area remained drizzly, and at higher elevations – snowy. That did make for some beautiful scenes, looking at snow-capped mountains, — here in extreme southeastern Arizona —.
For our lay-day, we drove back towards Rodeo and visited the Chiricahua Desert Museum – what an amazing museum to find in this remote location. It’s focus is on rattlesnakes with a few turtles, many alive. The display cases recreated the natural habitat of the snakes with a quality that I would compare to the Smithsonian’s. In addition, they have a collection of artifacts from the tribes local to the Chiricahua and Peloncillo Mountains. And the gift shop is excellent. — And next door is the Geronimo Event Center where very well done posters gave an excellent review of the history of the the Apaches in this area, especially the famous Apache leader Geronimo. These are must-see as part of a trip into this “remote” part of New Mexico.
A note here about “services” in the area.
Cell phone service is spotty, even out on the plains beyond Portal towards Rodeo, and in Rodeo as well.
WiFi service is available at the Portal Peak Lodge Store & Cafe; an ‘open’ WiFi is available, but if you eat there ask for the password for their secure WiFi – that worked quite well (even when we stopped on the way through Portal and parked in front of the Store.
“Essentials” that one might need (didn’t bring or ran out): The Portal Peak Store has a limited selection. However, a much larger inventory is available back towards Rodeo, at the Sky Island Grill and Grocery.
Eating Out: sandwiches, pizza, and a limited selection of beer are available at the Portal Peak Cafe; we had lunch there when Jay & Nancy arrived on the 1st day. A larger menu is offered by the Sky Island Grill.
After a night in Stewart Campground with rain and snow continuing, the weather cleared in the morning and we set out for home; leaving Cave Creek Canyon we looked back to see the Chiricahuas covered in snow – what a beautiful site. We planned to split the trip over 2 days, to spend a night near Truth or Consequence. After some research, we settled on the South Monticello Campground where we could make reservations. The site overlooks the northern end of Elephant Butte Lake with well designed and well kept campsites. The sites are spaced far apart, good because the surroundings are quite open – no forest here.
The next day, driving up I-25 we were surprised to see snow on all the “mountain islands” – the San Mateos, the Magdalenas, even Ladrone, and the Manzanos.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.52 miles Elevation: start 6,246 ft, maximum 6,704 ft, minimum 5,825 ft Gross gain: 458 ft, Aggregate ascending 1,143 ft, descending 1,563 ft Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 25% descending, 7.5% average Duration: 5:17
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.
This is the 2nd post for a 5-day camping and hiking trip to the Chiricahua Mountains with our friends Jay and Nancy. We had driven from Albuquerque, spending a night at the Rockhound State Park Campground before making the last leg to the Chiricahuas and setting up our R-Pod in the Stewart Campground in Cave Creek Canyon.
The Drive In
A lot of research went into planning this hiking trip. I found many sources and many trails, long and short, large and small elevation gain. We had many to choose from, but not having visited the area before, the decision was difficult. Something about this trail intrigued me, especially since it was presented as a point-to-point hike. And having two vehicles made it possible.
The drive from the campground was straightforward:
First step was to leave a vehicle at the northern terminus of the “trail”:
Drive east on Portal Road for 2 miles, take the hard left onto Paradise Road. (We missed the turn and went halfway to Portal before realizing our mistake and had to backtrack.)
Then it’s 6 miles on Paradise Road to the “trailhead”. On the way you will go through the “residential area” of Paradise.
Parking is just off Paradise Road on the right where a 2-track heads north. A sign at the turnoff warned us – the road beyond was “Impassable” (no explanation). But FR 42 passes through the Chiricahuas to the western side, so we suspect an explanation was missing, and it was meant as a warning for larger vehicles (like may signs we had seen previously on FR 42).
Then it’s retrace that route:
Returning to Stewart Campground continue west on FR 42 for .75 miles
At a Y in the road bear right (don’t go straight onto S Fork Rd).
Continue for 3.2 miles to the “trailhead”, which is a large parking area and corral; there were wranglers and pack horses and mules there that day.
[With the quotes (“) above I’m suggesting that the idea of a “trail” and “trailhead” is being quite generous, as you will see in what follows.]
The Hike
Over The Ridge To Paradise Hike.PatJayNancy.2021-03-22
We “packed up” for the hike and went looking for a “trailhead”; nothing was obvious, ‘tho there was more than one “trail” leaving from the perimeter of the corral’s parking area. We chose one and off we went, on “trails” that were at times easy to discern, at other times barely discernible. And in some places there were Ys in the “trail”. I was following our route with a GPS track with which I attempted to choose the “trail” that most closely followed the track. That worked most of the time, but in one instance I chose a “trail”that took us on the east side of the ravine, away from what we concluded would have been closer to the GPS track. Facing more a difficult route, we managed to find our way back to a better “trail”. And that was characteristic of the hike – uncertain just where the “trail” was, which path to follow (we came to suspect they were mostly pack animal trails) – but I believed that staying in or near the ravine would take us “up and over” to Paradise (tho’ some among us were skeptical).
The GPS track that we were using as a guide identified a point off of the trial that afforded a better view of Silver Peak and more of the Chiricahuas. Inspecting closely the Forest Service map on USTopo, we noted that it was a 2-track and would make for easier hiking than we’d experienced so far, even ‘tho it was uphill. The view as great; the sheer rock outcroppings, hundreds of feet high, are impressive. Then we headed back down, stopped for our mid-hike break, and continued to the “trailhead” on a 2-track.
Highlight
Highlight? Maybe it was overcoming doubts about whether we were on the “trail” or had wandered afield. But to find that we had made it “Over the Ridge to Paradise” – the ‘highlight’?
Camping
The camping was most pleasant. The sites are far enough apart to give one a sense of privacy, especially with the rocky streambed adjacent to the site. The weather both days was quite pleasant daytime; the temperatures dropped to 40 or below at night, so it was a might chilly for Jay & Nancy in their tent. Pat & I were happy to have our R-Pod, tho’ it too can get cold during the night (but the heater warms the small cabin quickly in the morning).
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.17 miles Elevation: 5,671 start ft, maximum 5,993 ft, minimum 5,618 ft Gross gain: 375 ft. Aggregate ascending 751 ft, descending 800 ft Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 32% descending, 8.0% average Duration: 3:29
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.
This is the first post for a 5-day camping and hiking trip to the Chiricahua Mountains with our friends Jay and Nancy. The Chiricahuas are in the southeastern corner of Arizona, just across the state line from Rodeo, NM. I have been interested in visiting there since a fly-in to Amigos Del Cielo Airport with our friend Lanny. We heard great things about hiking (and bird watching) on the eastern slopes of this small mountain range.
The Drive In
‘Tis 331 miles from Albuquerque, almost a six hour drive with our R-Pod camper/trailer. Campsites at our destination, Cave Creek (Sunny Flat and Stewart) are first-come-first-serve, and we had been advised to be there soon after noon when people would be leaving. So we took 2 days, spending the first night at the Rockhound State Park south of Deming. This is a dandy campground with large site pads (with full hookups), each separated from nicely for the others, and offering great views of the Little Florida Mountain range to the east and across the plains to the west. Sites are by reservation and we were fortunate to get a nice site for Saturday night.
View of Dragon Ridge near Sunset from Rockhound State Park.Sunrise of Dragon Ridge the next morning from Rockhound State Park.
On Sunday it was up and get going the 125 miles to the town of Portal at the entrance to Cave Canyon and into the Canyon to check out the campgrounds. For truly great video tours of the campgrounds (see Resources below for YouTube videos), we favored the more informal Stewart Campground. The road through the campground is gravel as are the sites; there is one vault toilet centrally located; and the trees create what I describe as a ‘cozy’ environment. Driving through Stewart we found 3 sites that were available and one being vacated – we preferred the latter (#5) and weren’t disappointed. We set up our R-Pod and soon Jay and Nancy arrived and set up their tent on a nice tent pad, a feature of nearly all of these campsites.
Approaching Cave Creek Canyon.
We had been advised that there were no services nearby – no gas, food, lodging, or internet service; fill up your gas tank in Lordsburg. We found otherwise: yes, no gas, but a small general store in Portal with the basic necessities (and a small menu plus beer) and lodging (Portal Peak Lodge, Store, & Cafe), and the Sky Island Grill and Grocery with a larger inventory of groceries and cafe menu. Internet service is available at both places courtesy their WiFi; cellular service is not available in the canyon and spotty even out in the open on the road between Portal and Rodeo.
The Hike
Cave Creek Nature Trail Walk.PatJayNancy.2021-03-21
Having set up our camp by mid-afternoon, and having spent the last 2 days (1 day for Jay and Nancy who drove from Placitas), we needed to stretch our legs. We suspected there was a trail across Cave Creek (15 yards across strewn rocks, no water), so we ventured out. And .. across the creek and Cave Creek Road (FR 42) we found a nice, easy trail. We headed up-canyon towards the other campground, Sunny Flat. This campground is more formal with paved road and large RV sites, and more open without the forest close at hand.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.08 miles Elevation: start 5,024 ft, maximum 5,161 ft, minimum 5,017 ft Gross gain: 144 ft. Aggregate ascending 190 ft, descending 312 ft (return half of out-and-back) Maximum slope: 33% ascending, 60% descending, 7.5% average Duration: 1:18
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.
‘Tis winter, a weekday for hiking, we chose a place close to home. But this is another that we have driven past many times (like Seville NWR), sometimes wondering about hiking there.
The Drive In
On I-25 to Los Lunas, turn wests on NM 6. About 1 mile on, turn left (south) on Huning Ranch Loop SW (don’t turn at the 1st intersection for Huning Ranch Loop SW, go to the 2nd intersection). About .75 miles south on Huning Ranch, turn right on Lonestar St SW. To get to the start of our hike, turn left at the ‘T’, right again at the next intersection, and left again at the ‘T’; park in the circle. We took the trail that proceed south, down into an arroyo and then a steep climb up a very sandy trail.
The Hike
Los Lunas Hills Trail Hike.Pat.2021-01-29
Our hike began with a steep descent into an arroyo, then a steep climb up a very sandy trail. From there it was a steady climb on a sometimes rocky trail. And this trail is exposed with no cover, no juniper, a few cholla. The views are great, northeast to the Sandias, north to the Jemez, east across the Rio Grande valley to the Manzanos, and west across the Isleta Indian Reservation and beyond the Rio Puerco valley and Mount Taylor in the distance.
We topped out on El Cerro de Los Lunas, discovering a tall rock cairn marking the spot. The weather this day was a bit chilly and windy, not the most common conditions for New Mexico, so we didn’t dally long. On the return, at a ‘Y’ in the trail we bore to the left which turned out to be a bit shorter route than on the way up. We found along the way enough of a juniper to shelter us from the wind, where we had our mid-hike break.
Highlight
Los Lunas Hills make for a good workout, close to Albuquerque, easy access from I-25, and offers a different vantage point for viewing the territory south of the city. And there are numerous well-used trails one can follow to further explore Los Lunas Hills.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.47 miles
Elevation: start 5,097 ft, maximum 5,955 ft, minimum 5,057 ft
Gross gain: 898 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,026 ft, descending 5,955 ft
Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 38% descending, 10.9% average
Duration: 3:06
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.
On so many trips driving south in I-25, we’ve passed right by the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge without any thought of visiting there. But after our trip to Bosque del Apache and a review we came across, we went to explore it.
The Drive In
Sevilleta NWR is very accessible, just 50 miles south of Albuquerque with its own exit from I-25 (milepost 169). The Visitors Center is west of the Interstate; to the east are the ponds with abundant waterfowl (an outpost of Bosque del Apache). In these days of Covid-19 the Visitors Center is closed, and a gate block drive-in entrance. It is a short walk to the Center and the trailheads for the 3 highlighted trails.
The Hike
Sevilleta Trails Hike.Pat.2021-01-22
We came to hike, so we began on the Mesa View Trail, leaving for later a decision about continuing on around the Ladrones Vista Trail. The first 1.5 miles is below the mesa to the west and thus not much elevation change. The trail surface is generally gravel and rock, well used (or maintained?) and easy walking.
The ascent up onto the mesa follows a shallow arroyo, with an easy climb that steepens near the top (~15% slope). The trail along the edge of the mesa provides excellent views – northeast to Sierra Ladrones, west across the open plains, to the east the Rio Grande valley and beyond the Los Piños Mountains, and to the southwest Polvadera Mountain and the Magdalena Mountains beyond. At 2.63 miles we identified the cutoff back to the Visitors Center. Having been forewarned by Jay & Nancy about a very steep section, we suspected it was here. The descent did look foreboding.
Without much further consideration, and seeking a longer hike, we continued on to complete the circumnavigation via the Ladrones Vista Trail. Throughout the hike the trail made for easy ambulating – travel, sometimes sand, at other times a bit of rocky surface, and much of the trail was edged by rocks. The views continued to be splendid particularly as the sun moved to the west. At 3.5 miles the trail turned east, an easy descent back toward the Visitors Center. At about the 4.0 mile point we came upon a pole shelter where, out of the wind behind a juniper tree, we stopped to have our lunch.
Highlight
We recommend Sevillita NWR for a visit in autumn, winter, and spring – it is likely to be quite hot in the summer. It is so accessible (near Abq, Socorro and adjacent to I-25), the hike isn’t strenuous, and it is more interesting than we thought it would be. And I suspect it will be even more interesting when the Visitors Center is open, presenting more information with which to capitalize on this NWR.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.0 miles Elevation: start 4,831 ft, maximum 5,090 ft, minimum 4,794 ft Gross gain: 296 ft. Aggregate ascending 577 ft, descending 574 ft Maximum slope: 18% ascending, 20% descending, 3.8% average Duration: 4:00
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.
Weather was beautiful this day in New Mexico, perfect for returning to the Rio Puerco, and to visit geologic formations that are a favorite of our friend and photographer Pat Barrett. We enjoyed a really good hike and the geologic formations are something to behold.
A note about the name I’m using – I haven’t found a name associated with these formations on any map. Three miles southeast are formations and a mesa dubbed La Mesita Blanca, and further south is Mesita Negra. So it seems appropriate, given the red rock outcroppings, that this should be called La Mesita Roja.
UPDATE, 11/29/2022: I’ve discovered the “proper” name for this small but amazing outcrop of hoodoos: Cañada del Ojo. See References below.
The Drive In
The drive from I-40 is paved for 6 miles, then graded and well used dirt to the parking area. There are many roads scattered in the Rio Puerco and few significant landmarks, plus the route passes through the To-Hajiilee Navaho Reservation, so it is easy to unintentionally arrive at the middle of nowhere. So here are detailed directions:
Drive west from Albuquerque to the Cañoncito turnoff, then drive north towards To-Hajiilee on Trail 56, also identified as Cañoncito School Road.
Just before the Cañoncito School, turn right off of the pavement, then immediately left to continue on Trail 56. (There are signs for Trail 56 and Trail 57 – Trail 57 angles off to the right, terminating back at I-40, at the interchange near the Route 66 Casino.)
Continue north on Trail 56. Don’t take the Y to the left two-tenths of a mile along, nor the Y to the left 3 miles along; as a guide, stay on the road that is in the better condition.
Pass through the 1st fence line (with cattle guard), the boundary between the Reservation and the Herrera Ranch (private land). Another mile along park just beyond the 2nd fence line; you are now on BLM land.
The Hike
Mesita Roja & Its Hoodoos Hike.Pat.2021-01-16
Our introduction, “Red Butte”.
Not being familiar with the territory, we struck out east from the parking area on a 2-track that crossed over the southern end of a ridge. Soon the 2-track headed north, and recalling Pat Berrett’s advice, we left the 2-track and set out towards the fence line. As we crossed Cañada del Oso, we headed southeast, towards a prominent and interesting geologic feature. Along the way the red rocks that Pat B. had spoken about came into view. We continued on toward the “Red Butte” to take a closer look. The formation, maybe 30′ tall with columns and windows and amazing range of red colors and hues. Our photos don’t give it its due.
A sampling of “Mesita Roja”.
After ogling Red Butte, we headed north to Mesita Roja, the ridge of colorful red rock outcroppings. We wandered through passageways, looking at the most interesting features of color and shapes, windows and forms, passagways and dead ends. Mesita Roja is definitely the most interesting geologic features that we have visited. These photos and in the Gallery below may give you some idea of the beautiful Mesita Roja.
Finding ourselves atop the ridge of Mesita Roja, we could see clearly the Hoodoos a quarter of a mile distant. We descended off of the Mesita and across the arroyo to find ourselves in an amazing array of 20-30 foot tall Hoodoos. We wandered among them, working our way around the collection that sits below the boundary of what I will call “Hoodoo Mesa”. We worked our way
Looking down on a section of the Hoodoos
up the east side, then up onto the Mesa to look at the Hoodos from above – great views. Along the way we came across more and more interesting features and formations.
Not finding a way down the west side of Hoodoo Mesa, we circled back to the east side and circled around the Mesa to the west side to where the cañon narrowed.
Taking a direct route across Cañada del Oso to the truck.
Having thoroughly enjoyed Mesita Roja and Its Hoodoos, we took a bearing from US Topo and struck out for the truck. Taking the direct route, we found ourselves crossing Cañada del Oso through sometimes tall lumps of grass, at other times wending our way through waist to chest high bushes. That along with the soft surface made the hiking a bit more strenuous – that is, a good workout.
Highlight
‘Tis a beautiful place, with such a variety of interesting features – shapes, colors, and more. We’ve enjoyed Goblin Colony, Tent Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge, and mesas around Mesa de Cuba. But this is our favorite. And it is secluded – ‘tho a car was parked near ours when we returned, evidence (and location) suggest that it is rarely visited.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.27 miles
Elevation: start 5,943 ft, maximum 6,012 ft, minimum 5,812 ft
Gross gain: 69 ft. Aggregate ascending 645 ft, descending 648 ft
Maximum slope: 19% ascending, 26% descending, 5.0 % average
Duration: 4:33
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
Thanks to Pat Barrett for telling us about this amazing place, and for the directions to get there.
The trailhead is at the east end of the Three Rivers Campground. It starts out with a smooth dirt surface, in somewhat open space – typical juniper/piñon forest, with a few ponderosa. A few yards on the trail crosses to the north side of the streambed (no water here) and to the junction of the Three Rivers and Goat Canyon trails. Slope for the first mile or so, to the junction with the Dry Canyon Trail, the canyon is wide and open. Then the canyon narrows and there abouts we encountered water in the stream.
As the canyon narrowed and the trail made an “S” turn to the right, the sides of the canyon became more vertical, becoming cliffs towering above the streambed some 800 feet – awesome sights. We encountered a couple more stream crossings, easy because not a lot of water was flowing. We continued up the narrow canyon to find a “cave” and waterfall that are noted on the topo maps. Though the view of the waterfall was obscured by trees, we could see that on another day when there was a greater flow in the stream, it would be impressive.
