Category Archives: 2022

Peñas Negras Trail Hike – 08/01/2022

August 27, 2022

Our first hike in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness Area during a 3-night camping trip. Upon arrival, we set up camp in the Rio de las Vacas campground then did the Rio de las Vacas Walkabout along the Rio near the campground.

The Drive In

The drive in to this trail: from the Rio de las Vacas Campground drive west on NM 126 for about 2 miles, turn right onto FR 70, a good Forest Road (Class3). In about 6 miles, the trailhead will be on the left, just the intersection of FR 70 and a two-track.

The Hike

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

Leaving Pat, Nancy, and Bo for a day of relaxing at the campsite, Jay and I headed off for territory unknown (except for cues from GAIA and USTopo topographical maps). As we approached the area expecting to find a trailhead, a sign announced the Peñsa Negras trail leading to the Vacas Trail (3 miles as I recall). The sign was at the foot of a steep slope up onto the mesa, not an appealing beginning. We drove a quarter mile further and noticed an old two-track heading up the Rito Cafe valley. We parked and proceeded to check it out.

The going was easy – gentle slope on this old two-track. With the goal of getting up on the mesa and finding the trail depicted on the maps, we selected a place where the slope up and the elevation gain were the least. This -did- make for an easy ascent onto the nearly level mesa top, on the east edge of the mesa.

The trail was depicted to be on the west side, so we headed across. Not really bushwhacking, but there was no trail to follow; we walked through open forest and lots of green grass and flowers, among tall ponderosa trees. Approaching the west edge of the mesa, we hoped to find the trail depicted on the topo maps – it was not apparent. We wandered a bit further up the mesa along an opening in the forest (appeared to be an old two-track). This took us away from the western edge, until encountering a fence. We followed the fence back towards that edge, into a large opening in the forest.

Figuring the trail was just not evident, and before heading back to the trailhead, we paused for our mid-hike break, on a log nicely in place for lunchtime seating.

As we packed up, Jay noticed this nice pile of rocks – a cairn for the trail? Looking further along we saw another, then another – ah ha, the Trail? Crossing the meadow guided by the cairns we soon found the semblance of a path; the location matched reasonably closely the map’s trail. Soon we were back in the clearing we had been on earlier. (Click on a photo for an enlarged view, then <back> on your browser to return to this page.)

Another cairn, leading us across the meadow.

We continued towards the end of the mesa; the two-track dwindled until we were on a faint path that followed the map’s trail. Using the topo lines as a guide, we continued to the pointy end of the mesa where we found ourselves again on a faint path down a moderate slope to the base of the mesa .. and the trailhead. Perhaps a mile from the trailhead, Mother Nature visited us with some light rain, enough to get out our raincoats and to make mud around the truck when we got there.

Highlight

I enjoyed once again exploring a trail with Jay, with little information at hand, and being satisfied in the end that we met our objectives – to have a great hike in a beautiful place

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.51 miles
Elevation: start 9,334 ft, maximum 9,842 ft, minimum 9,334 ft
Gross gain: 508 ft. Aggregate ascending 852 ft, descending 854 ft
Maximum slope: 31% ascending, 26% descending, 5.0% average
Duration: 3:36

Peñas Negras Trail Hike.Jay.2022-08-01 (KML)	76 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Peñas Negras Trail Hike.Jay.2022-08-01 (GPX)	60 Downloads
Peñas Negras Drivein.Jay.2022-08-01	46 Downloads
Peñas Negras Drivein.Jay.2022-08-01 (GPX)	49 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.

Rio de las Vacas Walkabout
Hikes in San Pedro Parks

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service:
Penas Negras #32
Rio de las Vacas Campground
New Mexico Trails: Penas Negras Trail – Trail #32
ondafringe: Day HIke: Penas Negras/Perchas/Palomas Trails Loop

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

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

Rio de las Vacas Walkabout – 07/31/2022

August 13, 2022

A short walk out of Rio de las Vacas campground, in the afternoon after setting up camp with Jay and Nancy. This was a warmup for hiking the following 2 days in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness. San Pedro Parks is at nearly 10,000 feet elevation – and cooler, a getaway from Albuquerque’s hot summer weather.

The Drive In

The drive to San Pedro Parks: from Bernalillo: US 550 to Cuba; in the middle of town turn right onto NM 126, continue for 10 miles. Continue past the turnoff to San Gregorio Lake (FR70) for 2 miles to the entrance to the Rio de las Vacas Campground. We chose Sites 11, a double site to accommodate our R-Pod camper and Jay and Nancy’s Vanaa.

The Hikes

Rio de las Vacas Walkabout.PatJayNancyBo.2022-07-31

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

Suggested by Ben, the camp host, we crossed NM 126 directly below our campsite (#11), passed through the fence at a gate, and continued downhill towards a pleasant open meadow and the Rio de las Vacas. Reaching the creek, we angled of to the left and followed it downstream, soon crossing to the southside. We continued until the streambanks narrowed blocking our route with dry feet. We crossed back over to the north side (using rocks and a log) and decided to head back to the campground through the woods. Although there was no trail, the ponderosa and fir forest was quite on open and easy to pass through.

Along the stream, it was grassland – easy walking. Through the forest, the floor was gravel and dirt – more easy walking with hardly any deadfall.

Statistics

Total Distance: 1.18 miles
Elevation: start 8,302 ft, maximum 8,304 ft, minimum 8,160 ft
Gross gain: 144 ft. Aggregate ascending 207 ft, descending 165 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 31% descending, 5.6% average
Duration: 0:52

Rio de las Vacas Walkabout.PatJayNancyBo.2022-07-31 (KML)	60 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Rio de las Vacas Walkabout.PatJayNancyBo.2022-07-31 (GPX)	54 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.

Peñas Negras Trail Hike. 08/01/2022
Hikes in San Pedro Parks

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Rio de las Vacas Campground

Palomas Trail Hike – 07/21/2022

July 30, 2022

This was foremost a reconnoitering trip to San Pedro Parks to check out the two campgrounds for an upcoming 3-day trip. And while there, we took advantage of the cooler temperatures to do a bit of hiking — temperatures at 9,200+ feet that are cooler than in Albuquerque.

The Drive In

The drive to San Pedro Parks: from Bernalillo: US 550 to Cuba; in the middle of town turn right onto NM 126, continue for 10 miles; turn left onto FR 70, continue for 9.9 miles; trailhead parking will be on your left. NM 126 is paved the whole distance; FR 70 is a Class 3 road with some hillside sections; a couple of slick sections on our way back to NM 126 after the showers that occurred during our hike.

Note: We checked out both of the Forest Service campgrounds: Clear Creek and Rio de las Vacas. They are just off of NM 126 beyond the turnoff for FR 70, .8 miles and 2 miles respectively. Each are very clean with paved roads within the campgrounds and paved parking on all the sites. And each has a stream running along a border (namesakes of the campgrounds).

The Hike

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

The trail gets moderate use so it is easy to follow. The surface is dirt with only a few sections with rocks or tree roots; mimimal downfall. For our hike it made a steady climb from 9,258 ft to 9,839 feet; a few hundred yards into the hike we got a glimpse of a handful of elk passing across the trail ahead of us.

Reaching the top of the ridge, we chose to find a spot for lunch with a good view and seating accommodations (rocks on a slope). We did enjoy the view of the open forest around us and views to the east through breaks in the trees of the mountains around Valles Caldera including Redondo. Had we continued on the trail descended 200 feet into the valley for the Rito de las Perchas. However, we decided to return to the traihead for the 2 1/2 hour drive home. There were rain showers in the area during our hike (tho’ we did not get wet); on the way back to NM 126, the well-gravelled road was in ok condition except one section of say 100 yards that was a bit slick.

Note: Trails criss-cross San Pedro Parks. The Palomas Trail is one of two entrance trails off of NM 126 that go into the interior. Check GAIA or other resources for maps of these trails. With the network of trails, the Park is an ideal locale for short backpacking trips or longer day trips.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.49 miles
Elevation: start 9,264 ft, maximum 9,839 ft, minimum 9,258 ft
Gross gain: 580 ft. Aggregate ascending 683 ft, descending 685 ft
Maximum slope: 32% ascending, 37% descending, 10.0% average
Duration: 2:28

Palomas Trail Hike.Pat.2022-07-2126535 (KML)	66 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Palomas Trail Hike.Pat.2022-07-21 (GPX)	99 Downloads
Palomas Trail Driveout.Pat (KML)	58 Downloads
Palomas Trail Driveout.Pat (GPX)	49 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.

Hikes in San Pedro Parks

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Palomas Trail #50
AllTrails: Palomas Trail
Hiking Trails of the Oachitas & Ozarks: San Pedro Parks Wilderness

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

Red Lake Trail Hike – 07/08/2022

July 30, 2022

Our 2nd hike on a 3-night camping trip into northern New Mexico (actually just across the state line into Colorado). We set up the R-Pod in the USFS Trujillo Meadows campground. Reservations are not offered, but there are 41 campsites so we anticipated that we would get one. And we did – there were only a few (<10) campers in the campground on our arrival and the host told us that the campground is not heavily used. After touring the maze of roads looking for the best site, we chose one near the entrance and on the highest point in the campground. The view from there was the best.

The Drive In

Our campsite in Trujillo Meadows Campground. Atop a hill in the middle of the campground, we had great views in all directions.

Continuing past the crest for 1/4 mile, we turned left onto FR 118 (a good Class 3 road, tho’ there are some sections of serious washboard); in 2.5 miles turn right at the entrance to the campground. (Adjacent to the campground is Trujillo Meadows Reservoir. There are some sites that look down upon the reservoir and there is a road from the campground entrance to a boating ramp; we did not investigate either.)

The Red Lake trail is a bit further north on CO 17 — 6.4 miles from the turnoff to the Trujillo Meadows Campground. Turn left onto FR 113, a Class 3 road towards Red Lake — 3.5 miles. The road makes a sharp 180° turn to the left — parking is on the right up a short rise.

The Hike

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

The trail starts at an elevation of 11,000 feet – yes, the temperature was comfortably cool. It proceeds for 1/4 mile with not much elevation gain, through nice forest. About a half mile on we encountered our first stream crossing, easy with rocks for stepping stones. Here the trail takes on a bit more elevation gain, and we encountered more flowing water, even down the trail itself.

A bit further on (3/4 mile point) the trail begins to leave the forest behind, and at about the 1 mile point, the trail enters a wide open lush meadow with another small stream crossing. The trail continues it’s gentle climb and the meadow continues to open up ahead and around us with a few ponds off to the west.

We continue up to the top of the rise and decide we’ve come far enough so we find some rocks to use for dining. On our return trip, we heard running water. Taking a short detour from the trail we found a rocky slop with a series of small waterfalls, a nice scene to take with us as we return to the trailhead.

Highlight

The amount of water flowing across the meadow and down the streams was striking. It was such a contrast to what we encounter on trails in New Mexico. And the vista view across the meadows, with the lakes and smattering of forest made for -great- scenery. We’ll add this trail to our list for future hikes, with the goal of continuing on to Red Lake itself.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.99 miles
Elevation: start 11,003 ft, maximum 11,643 ft, minimum 10,974 ft
Gross gain: 669 ft. Aggregate ascending 819 ft, descending 818 ft
Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 23% descending, 7.3% average
Duration: 3:42

Red Lake Trail Hike.Pat.2022-07-08 (KML)	57 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Red Lake Trail Hike.Pat.2022-07-08 (GPX)	107 Downloads
Red Lake Trail Driveout.Pat.2022-07-08 (KML)	149 Downloads
Red Lake Trail Driveout.Pat.2022-07-08 (GPX)	69 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.

Hikes around Cumbres Pass

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Red Lake Trailhead, Trail 733
AllTrails: Red Lake Trail
Alamosa.org: 5 Trails You Need To Be On
Oh Ranger.com: Rio Grande National Forest, Red Lake Trail

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

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

Cumbres Pass-CDT North Trail Hike – 07/07/2022

July 29, 2022

Our first hike on a 3-night camping trip into northern New Mexico (actually just across the state line into Colorado). We set up the R-Pod in the USFS Trujillo Meadows campground. Reservations are not offered, but there are 41 campsites so we anticipated that we would get one. And we did – there were only a few (<10) campers in the campground on our arrival and the host told us that the campground is not heavily used. After touring the maze of roads looking for the best site, we chose one near the entrance and on the highest point in the campground. The view from there was the best.

The Drive In

Late afternoon view from the door of our RPod camper.

We drove from Albuquerque to Chama and continued on NM 17 up to the crest of Cumbres Pass (the highway becomes CO 17 as it passes into Colorado). For a good part of the way, Hwy 17 follows the tracks of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, aka Cumbres and Toltec Railroad to the crest where there is a small railyard. Continuing past the crest for 1/4 mile, we turned left onto FR 118 (a good Class 3 road, tho’ there are some sections of serious washboard); in 2.5 miles turn right at the entrance to the campground. (Adjacent to the campground is Trujillo Meadows Reservoir. There are some sites that look down upon the reservoir and there is a road from the campground entrance to a boating ramp; we did not investigate either.)

The CDT crosses CO 17 just below the crest of Cumbres pass, to the west; from the campground we returned to CO 17, turned right, back over the crest. Less than 14 mile below the crest there is parking on the south side of CO 17. The trailhead for the CDT going south is located there. For the trailhead northbound, cross the road and continue up and under the railroad trestle.

The Hike

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

I hiked this bit of the CDT last year while Pat attended a workshop in Chama, and for some time I’ve looked forward to revisiting it with Pat. Donning our packs and crossing the road, we walked beneath the RR trestle to the trailhead, where Pat signed us in. We then headed past the trailhead sign and into the woods; we were quickly above 10,000 feet elevation.

About 1/3 mile on, we left the woods behind, entering a meadow for a few hundred yards. Then it was onto hillside slopes for most of the remainder of the hike. Here we enjoyed a great vantage point to watch the Cumbres & Toltec steam locomotive and excursion cars climb the last few hundred feet elevation to Cumbres Pass.

The trail is well used, a smooth trail surface, little worn into the ground. We passed through open forest, occasionally with fallen trees. About 1.3 miles on we came to the first of two water crossings, nice flow of water but rocks ready for us to cross on. We continued on for 2.3 miles, enjoying fabulous views of the valley and mountains to the west of the trail.

Highlight

We have puzzled over how to convey to readers of this BLOG the beauty of scenery all around us on these hikes. I think Pat has found the answer in this video.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.79 miles
Elevation: start 9,965 ft, maximum 10,299 ft, minimum 9,965 ft
Gross gain: 334 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,052 ft, descending 1,053 ft
Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 25% descending, 6.4% average
Duration: 3:37

Cumbres Pass CDT North.Pat.2022-07-07 (KML)	62 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cumbres Pass CDT North.Pat.2022-07-07(GPX)	47 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.

Red Lake Trail Hike – 07/08/2022
Cumbres Pass/CDT North Hike – 08/12/2021
Cumbres Pass/CDT South Hike – 08/13/2021

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: CDNST – Cumbres Pass North Trailhead # 813
AllTrails: Cumbres Pass CDT North

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

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

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)	221 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-17 (KML)	56 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-17 (GPX)	56 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-18 (KML)	101 Downloads
Noland Trail Walk.Pat.2022-05-18 (GPX)	154 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

Wake Forest Walkabouts – 05/2022

July 28, 2022

During a visit to family in North Carolina, Steve & Sharon brought us to some very nice trails in the vicinity of their home in Wake Forest. These were truly family walkabouts, with people from Raleigh, Tucson, Baraboo, Seattle, and St. John VI (or the Azores).

The Hikes (or Walkabouts)

Durant Camp Trails

Durant Camp Trail Walks.McDaniels.2022-05-12&20 (profile for 2022-05-20)

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

The first walkabout introduced us to North Carolina weather conditions – warm and humid. But it was quite pleasant to walk through the lush woods with a stream and lake nearby. But … so much green; from New Mexico, it is almost overpowering.

The second walkabout took us the length of the Durant Nature Preserve, including a long stretch along the shore of the lake.

Shoreline Trail

For this outing, we went to the Falls Lake and a trail along the water’s edge for the distance, out to a promontory in the middle of the lake. Another nice hike

Wake Forest Reservoir Loop

Another lake-side trail along the shore of the Wake Forest Reservoir.

Statistics

Durant Camp Trail Walk – 05/12/2020
Total Distance: 0.99 miles
Elevation: start 300 ft, maximum 304 ft, minimum 233 ft
Gross gain: 71 ft. Aggregate ascending 164 ft, descending 165 ft
Maximum slope: 22% ascending, 32% descending, 5.5% average
Duration: 0:43

Durant Camp Trail Walk.PatSharonSteveSuzieMark.2022-05-12 (KML)	288 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Durant Camp Trail Walk.PatSharonSteveSuzieMark.2022-05-12(GPX)	66 Downloads

Durant Camp Trail Walk – 05/20/2020
Total Distance: 2.37 miles
Elevation: start 300 ft, maximum 325 ft, minimum 241 ft
Gross gain: 41 ft. Aggregate ascending 275 ft, descending 276 ft
Maximum slope: 16% ascending, 21% descending, 3.6% average
Duration: 1:03

Durant Camp Trail Walk.PatSharonSteveJohnSusanJackRay.2022-05-20 (KML)	52 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Durant Camp Trail Walk.PatSharonSteveJohnSusanJackRay.2022-05-20 (GPX)	66 Downloads

Photos from the Durant Camp Hikes; click on a photo for Gallery view.

Shoreline Trail Walk – 05/21/2022
Total Distance: 4.06 miles
Elevation: start 330 ft, maximum 338 ft, minimum 250 ft
Gross gain: 88 ft. Aggregate ascending 568 ft, descending 566 ft
Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 20% descending, 4.0% average
Duration: 2:05

Shoreline Trail Walk.PatSharonSteveSusanJohnJackRay.2022-05-21 (KML)	64 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Shoreline Trail Walk.PatSharonSteveSusanJohnJackRay.2022-05-21 (GPX)	55 Downloads

Photos from the Shoreline Trail Hike; click on a photo for Gallery view.

Wake Forest Reservoir Loop – 05/22/2022
Total Distance: 3.03 miles
Elevation: start 303 ft, maximum 319 ft, minimum 295 ft
Gross gain: 24 ft. Aggregate ascending 433 ft, descending 433 ft
Maximum slope: 15% ascending, 20% descending, 4.0% average
Duration: 1:26

Deer Trap Mesa Trail Hike – 04/26/2022

July 28, 2022

A hike on the Deer Trap Mesa Trail, one of the many trails in and around Los Alamos, with Jay and Nancy on the third day of a camping trip to Bandelier.

The Drive In

The trailhead is on the perimeter of Los Alamos, on one of the narrow mesas/ridges between the many canyons across which the city is spread. Here are directions from Trail Network Map – Los Alamos County (pdf):

From NM 501/East Jemez Road, turn right onto Diamond Drive. Go north then east on Diamond for 2.6 miles to the roundabout at San Ildefonso. Turn left and in 0.3 mile continue straight onto Barranca Road. Follow this road 1.3 miles to its end just past the intersection with Navajo. Parking along the road, with signs for the Trail.

The Hike

Deer Trap Mesa Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2022-04-26

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

The trail, as we took it, begins on the somewhat narrow spine of Deer Trap Mesa. A couple of hundred yards on, it leaves the spine and traverses the slope near the top of the mesa. It is a well used trail – generally sandy surface but with rock small and large outcroppings to work around. And to the left – a steep slope to the bottom of Rendija Canyon. We continued along this edge of the mesa for about a mile into the hike, where we again climbed atop it. From there, another half mile to a point that required some rock climbing to continue further. We turned back, finding a place for lunch on top, then retraced our steps.

That was -our- hike. Upon returning home and looking again at the published maps of the Deer Trap Mesa Trail, I realized that we missed a turn that would have taken us on top of the mesa. From there, relatively level ground and a loop around the mesa top – that will make a great plan for a return trip.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.8 miles
Elevation: start 7,235 ft, maximum 7,236 ft, minimum 6,973 ft
Gross gain: 263 ft. Aggregate ascending 919 ft, descending 923 ft
Maximum slope: 37% ascending, 40% descending, 8.5% average
Duration: 2:55

Deer Trap Mesa Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2022-04-26 (KML)	56 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Deer Trap Mesa Trail Hike.PatJayNancy.2022-04-26 (GPX)	58 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

Los Alamos:
Deer Trap Mesa Trails
Trail Network Map – Los Alamos County (pdf)
AllTrails: Deer Trap Mesa Trail
Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC): Deer Trap Mesa Trail

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

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

Bandelier-Falls Trail Hike – 04/25/2022

July 28, 2022

Our 2nd hike this day, on a 2-day camping trip to Bandelier National Monument.

The Drive In

The trailhead is down in Frijoles Canyon, so the drive in is to go to the Bandelier Visitor Center.

The Hike

Bandelier-Falls Trail Hike.Pat.2022-04-25

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

After having hiked the Frey Trail, with time (and energy) remaining, we headed down-river towards the Rio Grande on the Falls Trail. The trailhead is southwest of the Visitors Center, across the Rio de los Frijoles. It then proceeds down the western side of Frijoles Canyon, on a well used trail of gravel.

The trail ends at an overlook with a view upstream to the Upper Frijoles Falls. From here one can also see downstream, through the narrowing of the canyon where the Rio de los Frijoles flows into the Rio Grande.

The view near the start of the trail, looking downstream into the canyon.

From the overlook at trail’s end, looking upstream at Upper Frijoles Falls

Highlight

This is a very nice, easy hike that would be great for visitors unaccustomed to hiking longer trails, with the Falls being a feature of interest.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.66 miles
Elevation: start 6,061 ft, maximum 6,080 ft, 5,830 minimum ft
Gross gain: 250 ft. Aggregate ascending 800 ft, descending 801 ft
Maximum slope: 47% ascending, 46% descending, 8.7% average
Duration: 1:58

Bandelier-Falls Trail Hike.Pat.2022-04-25 (KML)	0 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Bandelier-Falls Trail Hike.Pat.2022-04-25(GPX)	67 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.

Hikes in Bandelier National Monument

References and Resources

NPS Bandelier National Monument: Falls Trail
AllTrails: Upper Falls Trail
American Southwest: Falls Trail, Bandelier National Monument
Red Around the World: Hike The Falls Trail In Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
Discover All Corners: Falls Trail, Bandelier National Monument (to the Upper Frijoles Falls)

Bandelier-Frey Trail Hike – 04/25/2022

June 26, 2022

Our first full day on a camping trip to Bandelier National Monument. Wanting a trail with some elevation gain, we chose the Frey Trail for a few hundred feet up and back down again.

The Drive In

The trailhead is down in Frijoles Canyon, so the drive in is to go to the Bandelier Visitor Center.

The Hike

Bandelier-Frey Trail Hike.Pat.2022-04-25

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

We sought a hike with some elevation gain – Frey Trail offered some – 541 ft up from Frijoles Canyon. The trailhead is 400 yards from the Bandelier Visitors Center, on the right bit past the Tyuonyi Ruins. It is a well used trail up the canyon wall topping out on the mesa top. We continued another quarter mile continuing on the Frey Trail, then turned back and down into Frijoles Canyon.

Back on the canyon floor, we turned right onto the Alcove House Trail for 1/3rd of a mile, then crossed over Rio de los Frijoles to the Long Trail. From there we returned to the visitors center, having gotten -some- elevation gain.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.05 miles
Elevation: start 6,089 ft, maximum 6,619 ft, minimum 6,078 ft
Gross gain: 541 ft. Aggregate ascending 852 ft, descending 853 ft
Maximum slope: 53% ascending, 53% descending, 8.6% average
Duration: 3:16

Bandelier-Frey Trail Hike.Pat.2022-04-25 (KML)	63 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Bandelier-Frey Trail Hike.Pat.2022-04-25 (GPX)	80 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.

Hikes in Bandelier National Monument

References and Resources

NPS Bandelier National Monument:
Frey Trail
Virtual Hike on the Frey Trail
AllTrails: Frey Trail
The Great Outdoors: Hike the Frey Trail
ProTrails: Frey Trail – 3.4 miles
gHikes: Frey Trail

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

Wake Forest Reservoir Loop Walk.Pat SharonSteveSusanJohnJackRay.2022-05-22 (KML)	49 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Wake Forest Reservoir Loop Walk.Pat SharonSteveSusanJohnJackRay.2022-05-22 (GPX)	274 Downloads

The Drive In

The Hike

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

Highlight

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

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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).

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

The Hike

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

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

The Hike

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

Highlight

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

The Hike

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

Highlight

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

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).

Statistics

References and Resources

The York River Riverwalk

The Noland Trail at the Mariner’s Museum

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The Hikes (or Walkabouts)

Durant Camp Trails

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

Shoreline Trail

Wake Forest Reservoir Loop

Another lake-side trail along the shore of the Wake Forest Reservoir.

Statistics

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The Drive In

The Hike

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

Statistics

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

The Hike

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

Highlight

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this:

The Drive In

The Hike

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

Statistics

Related Posts

References and Resources

Share this: