Category Archives: 2025

NM-96 CDT North Hike – 10/06/2025

October 18, 2025

Heading home from a long weekend in Chama, we took a more interesting route than the usual ‘get there soon” via US 284 and I 25. Rather, take NM 96 from Abiquiu around to Cuba and US 555 to Bernalillo and on to Albuquerque. And we took a short detour to have lunch at the Abiquiu Inn, a -very nice- place.

The Drive In

From Chama, south on US 284 to the turn right at Abiquiu Lake onto NM 96. We visited the Riana Campground not far from the turn, to explore the short trail from the campground. Then back on NM 96 westbound, with a stop for a short hike in the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). That is, we drove from the Campground 21.6 miles to where the CDT crosses NM 96. With no space to park along the highway, we continued another .8 mile where we turned left onto a two-track, backtracking that .8 mile to a place to park. The CDT crossed the two-track just a bit further along, marked by a rock cairn.

The Hike(s)

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

Abiquiu Lake: Our stop at Abiquiu Lake was to fulfill a curiosity and stretch our legs after a great lunch at the Abiquiu Inn. We first checked out the Riana Campground (a very nice one, on the lake, with sites suitable for large RVs), but it access is limited to people camping there. So we backtracked a half mile on NM 96 to the turnoff for the boat ramp and picnic area. After checking out the picnic area, we went back around to the boat ramp, parking in the far end of the parking area.

The trail starts by descending down to a pedestrian bridge crossing to the other side. After a few hundred yards, the trail was was almost exclusively on bedrock. With mostly skeletons of long-dead trees, we enjoyed excellent views of the lake. For the most part the trail was easy to follow, ‘tho in one stretch paw-prints painted on the rock kept is on the ‘designated’ trail. Rounding a pseudo-point, we saw a bridge across the next ravine leading to a picnic area and beyond the campground. We had other plans for the day, so we returned to the Tacoma and headed west on NM 96.

Continental Divide Trail: We look for any opportunity to hike even a mile on the Continental Divide Trail. GAIA GPS is our guide to the track of the CDT; seeing that it crosses NM 96 between Coyote and Capulin, it is a good place to hike a bit on the trail. After parking the Tacoma on the two-track, as far as we were comfortable going, we saw ahead a cairn marking the CDT (just where GAIA indicated it would be). We had chosen to go north (we’ll go south another time), so it was a short distanced on the trail, then crossing NM 96 to the northbound trailhead 100 yards to the right (east) and a signpost at the edge of the road’s right-of-way.

This short section of the CDT is a lovely trail – clean surface, little elevation change (crosses a couple of arroyos), with 60% shade from juniper and piñon trees .. not much else to say. Except .. it is enticing to consider going out 2 miles or so, and 1,000 feet elevation to or the top of Mesa Corral to the north.

Highlight

Just to be hiking where people I admire have hiked before me.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.34 miles
Elevation: start 7,559 ft, maximum 7,663 ft, minimum 7,412 ft
Gross gain: 104 ft. Aggregate ascending 272 ft, descending 271 ft
Maximum slope: 19% ascending, 23% descending, 4.1% average
Duration: 1:30, Average Speed: 1.6 mph. Shade: 70%

NM-96 CDT North Hike.Pat.2025-10-06 (KML)	2 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
NM-96 CDT North Hike.Pat.2025-10-06 (GPX)	2 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

New Mexico Nomad: Continental Divide Trail
Continental Divide Trail Coalition: A Magical Journey through New Mexico on the CDT
The Trek: many posts of through CDT through hikers; here is one:
— CDT Days 1-22: New Mexico – Grants to Chama, about half way down
— The Trek: CDT Part 5: Cuba to Chama, Where Cacti Turns to Show
Why Am I Choosing to Hike 6,000 Miles?

Views to date: 1 view.

Cumbres Pass CDT South Walkabout – 10/05/2025

October 17, 2025

Returning to Cumbres Pass to enjoy the wildflowers and … the bright golden colors of autumn with aspen if their full glory. And we always relish another visit, albeit a short distance, to the CDT.

The Drive In

We spent another weekend in Chama, lodging at the Little Rock House on Maple, a lovely cottage near the north edge of town. Drawing from a prior visit to hike the CDT from Cumbres Pass:

The drive up on the highway is scenic, especially because sufficient moisture has made the forest, pastures, even the roadside a very healthy green .. and this trip, the aspen in their full golden glory on the mountainsides all the way to the top. At the summit, we parked in the lot on the south side of the highway a short distance prior to the summit with a sign introducing the CDT Southbound.

Chama is the southern terminus of the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad, a vintage narrow gauge rail line that offers rides from Chama over Cumbres Pass to Antonito, CO. Driving from Chama north on NM 17, the tracks are never far from the highway, and if one’s timing is right one will see a steam locomotive with passenger cars (and sometimes utility cars) climbing up the 2,000 foot grade (or coasting down). Or maybe see a train pause at the small railyard at the summit of Cumbres Pass.

Before beginning our walkabout, the Cumbres & Toltec RR train came round the bend on its approach to the Cumbres Pass station.

The Hike

Cumbres Pass CDT South Walkabout.Pat.2025-10-05

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

This was not so much of a hike as a return visit for Pat to gather wildflowers that were so plentiful and beautiful on our last visit (Cumbres Pass CDT South Hike – 08/02/2025). As autumn sets in at this altitude, with shorter days of daylight and cooling temperatures, there were fewer flowers in bloom. But there were enough to enjoy their beauty and gather some for pressing or dyeing. The views looking down from the ridge to the mountainsides west towards Chama were amazing – large areas of golden aspen in their autumn “bloom”.

Highlight

The day before, a rainy day, we took a drive up to the pass just for the scenery, especailly to see the aspen. When leaving Chama, we passed a man who appeared to be a CDT thru-hiker; the large back, beard, and athletic look were cues. We backtracked and learned, as we suspected, that he was looking for a ride back up to Cumbres Pass to continue his southbound thru-hike on the Continental Divide Trail. Tho’ our back seat was full, he was willing to ride in the back of the Tacoma. At the trailhead we got acquainted, learning that his trail name is Shepherd and he was looking forward to entering the last state, New Mexico, in his trek from the border with Canada through to Mexico, 3+ months so far.

Statistics

Total Distance: 1.37 miles
Elevation: start 10,025 ft, maximum 10,181 ft, minimum 9,962 ft
Gross gain: 219 ft. Aggregate ascending 355 ft, descending 419 ft
Maximum slope: 37% ascending, 41% descending, 9.1% average
Duration: 1:41, Average Speed: 0.8 mph, Shade: 60%

Cumbres Pass CDT South Walkabout.Pat.2025-10-05 (KML)	2 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cumbres Pass CDT South Walkabout.Pat.2025-10-05 (GPX)	2 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.

Previous Hikes to Cumbres Pass

References and Resources

AllTrails: Flat Mountain via Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #813
GAIA: Continental Divide Trail (Cumbres Pass South)
And References and Resources on Cumbres Pass CDT South Hike – 07/12/2023

Views to date: 2 views.

Heron Lake Salmon Run Trail Hike – 10/05/2025

October 16, 2025

A short hike during a long weekend at Chama.

The Drive In

From Chama drive 11.8 miles south on US 84, turn right on NM 95 toward Heron Lake. There are multiple turnoffs for access to the Salmon Run Trail, a campgrounds and parking areas; we chose somewhat at random.

The Hike

Heron Lake Salmon Run Trail Hike.Pat.2025-10-05

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

We first checked out hiking around the Ponderosa Campground. This area is nearly all rock surface, but with enough markings for a trail – in some places white paw prints on areas of open rock surface. It made a nice walk – the views of the lake made it enjoyable, even though the lake is a a very low level.

The best view of the Lake, with Cerro Pedernal in the background.

The Salmon Run Trail runs for 5 miles skirts the eastern edge of Heron Lake. We hiked only a short portion in the middle of its full length. ‘Tis a well used trail with an even surface and a couple of descents into side canyons of the lake. There is some shade among the juniper and a few piñon trees, enough that there were few places where we had a view of the lake.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation: start 7,216 ft, maximum 7,244 ft, minimum 7,192 ft
Gross gain: 52 ft. Aggregate ascending 351 ft, descending 350 ft
Maximum slope: 14% ascending, 14% descending, 3.8% average
Duration: 1:33, Average Speed: 1.9 mph, Shade: 0%

Heron Lake Salmon Run Trail Hike.Pat.2025-10-05 (KML)	2 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Heron Lake Salmon Run Trail Hike.Pat.2025-10-05 (GPX)	3 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

ENMRD: Salmon Run Trail Guide
Heron Lake State Park (map)
AllTrails: Best trails in Heron Lake State Park
Salmon Run Trail

Views to date: 0 views.

Oak Flats-North Loop #1 – 09/19/2025

October 15, 2025

Getting back in the habit of weekly hikes, lately choosing to remain not far from home.

The Drive In

From Albuquerque eastbound on I-40 exit at Tijeras onto NM 337 southbound (folks who have been in these parts for many years know it as South 14). From Roots Farm Cafe (1/3 mile from the stoplights), proceed uphill for 8.5 miles, then turn left (east) onto Oak Flat Road. A mile on turn left into the Oak Flat Group Campground/Recreation Area complex,then turn to the left to follow the road around to the parking area and the Trailhead.

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).

With the help of GAIA, we ventured out onto trails beyond our previous hikes.

From the parking lot, the hike began going down the steep, rocky entrance to the Oak Flat Connector trail.
We continued for 1/8 mile then turned left onto the Sofa King trail.
At 3/4 mile point we turned right onto the Deadman trail.
At 1.18 mile, we turned left onto Oak Flat Connector.
At 1.4 mile, we turned right onto the Pine Loop trail.
At 2.0 mile, we turned right again, onto Cambel Oak trail.
At 2.5, right onto Caida Del Piño, continuing into and across the Oak Flat Recreation Area and to parking.

From this experience, we discovered that there are many intersecting trails that make for devising different loops, going south from Oak Flat all the way to Pine Flats. The trails are well defined and generally easy (a few rocky sections) and some easy changes in elevation.

Highlight

To discover the wide variety of trails that one can hike on, and lay out many different loop hikes. We’ll do more hiking in Oak Flat.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.52 miles
Elevation: start 7,683 ft, maximum 7,694 ft, minimum 7,444 ft
Gross gain: 250 ft. Aggregate ascending 638 ft, descending 636 ft
Maximum slope: 20% ascending, 10% descending, 6.0% average
Duration: 2:37, Average Speed: 1.3 mph, Shade: 80%

Oak Flats-North Loop #1.Pat.2025-09-19 (KML)	8 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Oak Flats-North Loop #1.Pat.2025-09-19 (GPX)	7 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 from the Oak Flat Recreation Area

Views to date: 3 views.

Chamissa Trail Hike – 09/08/2025

October 14, 2025

Returning to trails in the Sangre de Cristo, trailheads on Hyde Park Road.

The Drive In

Drive up Hyde Park Road from the intersection with Gonzales Road for 4.2 miles. Parking is alongside the road, both sides. Trailhead is on the north side of the road.

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).

This is another return to trails in the past – Chamisa-Saddleback Hike – 09/16/2018 – after a long hiatus. There is little I can add to the description from our previous hike, tho’ this day we did not make a loop but an out-and-back trip.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.53 miles
Elevation: start 7,841 ft, maximum 8,556 ft, minimum 7,839 ft
Gross gain: 717 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,334 ft, descending 1,335 ft
Maximum slope: 41% ascending, 41% descending, 12.5% average
Duration: 2:51, Average Speed: 1.2 mph

Chamisa Trail Hike.Jay.09-08-2025 (KML)	0 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Chamisa Trail Hike.Jay.09-08-2025 (GPX)	3 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.

Chamisa-Saddleback Hike – 09/16/2018
Trails off of Hyde Park Road

References and Resources

AllTrails: Chamisa Trail
The Hiking Project: Chamisa Trail (Lower)
ASCHG: Chamisa Trail Hike
GAIA GPS: Chamisa Trail Loop
Casa Escondida: Your Ultimate Guide To Hiking The Chamisa Trail In Santa Fe

Photos

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

Views to date: 1 view.

Cienega Canyon PG Connector-Faulty- Cienega Trails Hike – 09/05/2025

September 11, 2025

Returning to the Cienega Canyon area, that we “discovered” recently. ‘Tis close to home but has nice trails and with a a bit of elevation for cooler temperatures.

The Drive In

Proceed as though you are going to Sandia Crest – from the turn off of NM 14 onto Sandia Crest Road, in 1.7 miles turn left into the entrance to Doc Long & Cienega Canyon Picnic Grounds. Turn left immediately on Cienega Canyon Picnic Ground road; park at the end. (Names courtesy GAIA.)

The Hike

Cienega Canyon PG Connector-Faulty-Cienega Trails Hike.Pat.2025-09-05

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

Seeking a hike different than Cienega Canyon Trails Hike – 08/08/2025 but in the same area, we turned to GAIA. We found an “unmaintained” trail that went from the Cienega Canyon Picnic Ground south to an intersection with the Faulty Trail, from which we could return to the Picnic Ground. This made a nice loop (always preferred to an out-and-back hike).

The “unmaintained trail” (I’ve dubbed it Canyon PG Connector) begins the ascent for this hike – an easy couple of hundred feed on a quite nice trail – clearly it is used regularly. Like the trails in this area, it passes through a juniper/ponderosa/oak forest. Along the way we occasionally had glimpses of the San Pedro mountains to the east.

About a mile on we reached the intersection with the Faulty Trail and began the gentle climb from 7,400 feet to about 8,000 feet – another mile or so. This was mostly on an old two track and as a maintained trail was in good condition, good enough for mountain biking (judging from the tracks). From the 2-mile point into the hike, the trail was level for half a mile then … we were looking at a sheer rock wall and as we approached realized that it was on the other side of a Deep Canyon. We were momentarily puzzled – where to go from here – but then saw a trail going -down- the steep side of the canyon to the bottom and to intersect with the Cienega Trail (Faulty continues north for another 9 miles). The remainder of the hike was in this canyon, along the Cienega Trail then transitioning to the Acequia Trail back to parking.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.82 miles
Elevation: start 7,267 ft, maximum 7,877 ft, minimum 7,246 ft
Gross gain: 631 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,104 ft, descending 1,103 ft
Maximum slope: 32% ascending, 36% descending, 8.7% average
Duration: 3:20, Average Speed: 1.1 mph

Cienega Canyon PG Connector-Faulty Trails Hike.Pat.2025-09-05 (KML)	24 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cienega Canyon PG Connector-Faulty Trails Hike.Pat.2025-09-05 (GPX)	27 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.

Cienega Canyon Trails Hike – 08/08/2025

References and Resources

AllTrails: Cienega Trail #148
. Sulphur and Cienega Canyon Loop
Dog of the Desert: Loop Hikes of the Doc Long-SulphurCanyon-CIenega Canyon Area
. Armijo Trail Loop in the Sandia Mountains
Forest Service: Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Trails
Southern New Mexico Explorer: Sandia Mountains Wilderness Loop Hike

Photos

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

Views to date: 6 views.

Juan, Carol, Little Tesuque Trails Hike 09/01/2025

September 11, 2025

Exploring trails up Hyde Park Road from Santa Fe.

The Drive In

We hiked from this nondescript trailhead for Little Tesuque Creek back in 2018 and 2019 – 1 mile beyond the entrance to Ten Thousand Waves park alongside the road. The trailhead is on the north (left) side of the road. The trail descends directly to creekside.

The Hike

Juan-Carol-Little Tesuque Trails Hike.Jay.2025-09-01

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

Yes, we made this hike – Little Tesuque-Carol’s-Juan Trails – back in 2016, hiking the loop clockwise and extending the trail further to the intersection with the Winsor Trail. This time, we didn’t have a plan, so .. we started down Little Tesuque Creek (it was running high, overflowing the regular track in some places). Three hundred yards on, we came to a wye in the trail – to the left continue down the Creek, or .. we turned to the right onto the Juan Trail. Immediately we were climbing up a steep sometimes rocky trail, 250 feet in four tenths of a mile (average slope 13%). This was the toughest part of the hike.

Topping out, we encountered the junction with the Carol-to-Juan trail, which we had contemplated at the beginning of our hike. But having come only half a mile, the loop Juan-Carol-Little Tesuque loop would not be long enough. So we chose to continue on Juan (further on named Burn Trail on some older maps) then pick up Carol to return south to the Little Tesuque.

Well, that wasn’t quite “topping out”; we continued for another quarter mile with easy ascent to the highest point on the hike (which happens to be the intersection with the Saddleback Trail and where we cross a fence line into the Santa Fe National Forest).

From here it was a somewhat steep descent into a canyon, then down-canyon on a pleasant trail, then up onto a ridge (continuing shallow descent), then down into the Little Tesuque Creek canyon. From here it was a gentle ascent ‘up the creek’, back to the wye with Juan and on to the trailhead. We encountered more sections where the high-running creek overflowed the trail, but we followed the lead of others, taking a bypass above the running water.

Jay here: The crazy thing about this hike is that it’s been here all this time but we never opted for the right fork. It has lots of potential for variations as well as thru-hikes with 2 vehicles. Glad we returned to this one — been too long. Close access to town is a bonus as well.

Highlight

Back on some good trails, and … scrutinizing GaiaGPS we see many other options for through-hikes or loops for future hikes.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.96 miles
Elevation: start 7,539 ft, maximum 7,852 ft, minimum 7,429 ft
Gross gain: 423 ft. Aggregate ascending 808 ft, descending 808 ft
Maximum slope: 32% ascending, 28% descending, 8.7% average
Duration: 2:43, Average Speed: 1.1 mph

Juan-Carol Little Tesuque Trails Hike.Jay.2025-09-01 (KML)	23 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Juan-Carol Little Tesuque Trails Hike.Jay.2025-09-01 (GPX)	24 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

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

Photos

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

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

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

Views to date: 15 views.

Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trails Hike – 08/11/2025

August 16, 2025

Jay and I continue to work up to hiking regularly, and doing so on trails that we hiked years ago – trails around Placitas. For today’s hike, feeling like we can increase our length and elevation gain, I suggested returning to trails that we’ve hiked many times, most recently in ’21.

The Drive In

Access to the trailheads for both trails is via the Forest Loop Road 445 off of NM 165 east of the Placitas Cafe. There are two entrances, not far from each other: from the Placitas Cafe the first one – .5 miles, the second one – .8 miles; the second one is preferred. The Loop Road is quite rough with rocks exposed throughout; a high-clearance vehicle isn’t required but the suspension of any vehicle will get a workout. Parking for the trailhead for both trails, Piedra Lisa and Del Agua, is a left turn off of FR 445 – 1.9 miles from NM 165.

The Hike

Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trails Hike.Jay.2025-08-11

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

We recall when the Del Agua trail began below the mouth of the canyon and offered a pleasant introduction to this hike. But .. the trailhead was on what is now land of Sandia Pueblo and is not accessible. Thus, the Del Agua trail now starts at the mouth of the Piedra Lisa canyon and … now traverses the slope along the ridges between the two trails making a challenging hike of a mile to get into Del Agua. There are sections, especially the descent into Del Agua, that are difficult – steep slope on loose rock surface.

Down in the canyon, it is quite pleasant .. some shade in the shadow of the surrounding canyon walls and juniper and occasional ponderosa trees. I say pleasant .. for a while that is. Starting about half way up Del Agua, maybe 1.7 miles into the hike, we encountered the first of I think 5 rock barriers. These are almost vertical rock faces 10-15 feet high. Fortunately there are enough shallow sloped ledges and other features in the rock face that one -can- climb up them. Not much further we reached the intersection with the Piedra Lisa trail (~2.3 miles and highest elevation of 1,040 feet).

I had predicted that we would enjoy shade on Piedra Lisa – wrong (I guess my memory was about Piedra Lisa going south). At least we were going down hill in the hot temperature of late morning. And for half a mile it was easy going. Then the slope became steeper and … on loose rock like we dealt with back on Del Agua. That combined with the distance we had hiked to this point, I found the trail to be -extremely difficult- and required intense concentration to choose where to place my foot each step. I was younger when we hiked these trails in the past and in better condition; I still have a ways to go coming back from a year off-trail.

Jay here: Well, the trail gets old and so do we. Climbing over the big Del Agua boulders, I was reminded that this was the very first hike I ever made in New Mexico or Placitas and it was with George. The difference was that it was snowing and I was sure that George would suggest we turn back. Nope. Over ice and snow we went. The start of a storied hiking history in the making.

Highlight

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.02 miles
Elevation: start 6.22 ft, maximum 7,041 ft, minimum 6,022 ft
Gross gain: 1,019 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,357 ft, descending 1,357 ft
Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 49% descending, 11.0% average
Duration: 3:18, Average Speed: 1.2 mph, shade: 50%

Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trails Hike.Jay.2025-08-11 (KML)	27 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trails Hike.Jay.2025-08-11 (GPX)	31 Downloads
Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trails Driveout.Jay.2025-08-11 (KML)	29 Downloads
Del Agua-Piedra Lisa Trails Driveout.Jay.2025-08-11 (GPX)	24 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.

Piedra Lisa Trail Hikes (includes Del Agua-Piedra Lisa hikes)
All Placitas Hikes

References and Resources

All Trails: Del Agua Trail
. Piedra Lisa Trail and Del Agua Trail Loop
Dog of the Desert: A note on Del Agua Trail …
ASCHG: Piedra Lisa North – Del Agua Loop Hike
. Piedra Lisa South to North Hike
. Piedra Lisa North to South Hike
ondafringe: North Piedra Lisa/Del Agua Loop
Sandia Mountain Natural History Center: Piedra Lisa Trail (video on Facebook)

Photos

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

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

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

Views to date: 13 views.

Cienega Canyon Trails Hike – 08/08/2025

August 11, 2025

In all the years that we’ve been hiking, we never checked out trails from the Doc Long and Cienega Canyon picnic areas near the base of the road to Sandia Crest. We’ve discovered them, and will be returning – to this trail and the others thereabouts.

The Drive In

As though you are going to Sandia Crest – from the turn off of NM 14 onto Sandia Crest Road, in 1.7 miles turn left into the entrance to Doc Long & Cienega Canyon Picnic Grounds. Turn left immediately on Cienega Canyon Picnic Ground road; park at the end. (Names courtesy GAIA.)

The Hike

Cienega Canyon Trails Hike.Pat.08-08-2025

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

A very nice, easy set of trails through a juniper/ponderosa forest (with a few oaks, too). The first trail, Acequia Trail (227), runs parallel to the left of a closed road (Armijo Trail Access Road) for half a mile, to a turnabout. From there we hiked for a quarter mile on the Armijo Trail (222), then turned left onto the Valle Trail. Next, .3 miles later, we turned left again onto the Pine Drop Trail (224). It was then 3/4 mile to the point where Pine Drop Tee’d at the Armijo Trail (222). Turning right on Armijo, it was then 1.6 miles back to the Acequia Trail and half a mile to the trailhead. (All trail identification courtesy GAIA. Use this link to the hike in GAIA.)

The trail is well used (hike, bike, horseback) and in very good condition – wide and mostly smooth (a few area a bit rocky). Elevation changes are small and gradual. The trail is in open shade except on top of the hill, the middle half of Pine Drop.

Highlight

This hike is part of a set of trails that offer great opportunities to alternatives, including loops rather than out-and-back hikes. We had set out to do a loop around the Un Poquito Trail (241), starting at the end of the Armijo Trail Access Road . But we found upon arrival that the Road is closed so the Acequia Trail was added to the hike. . around the Un Poquito Trail (241) – we did not realize we couldn’t drive to the end of the Armijo Trail Access Road and Acequia became part of our hike. But there were trails that cut across the ‘loop’; in fact we opted to not continue onto Un Poquito Trail (241) as planned, but continued on Pine Drop to Armijo.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.09 miles
Elevation: start 7,239 ft, maximum 7,262 ft, minimum 7,096 ft
Gross gain: 166 ft. Aggregate ascending 724 ft, descending 723 ft
Maximum slope: 31% ascending, 26% descending, 6.9% average
Duration: 2:13, Average Speed: 1.4 mph, Shade: 90%

Cienega Canyon Trails Hike.Pat.08-08-2025 (KML)	38 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cienega Canyon Trails Hike.Pat.08-08-2025 (GPX)	30 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.

Our first hike hereabouts.

References and Resources

Photos

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

Views to date: 26 views.

Elk Creek Trail Hike – 08/03/2025

August 10, 2025

A second day escaping the very hot weather in Albuquerque, we returned to a favorite high-altitude region – Chama, NM and trails in the area (Cumbres Pass yesterday, this day beyond the Pass to Elk Creek.

The Drive In

We spent the weekend in Chama, lodging at the Little Rock House on Maple, a lovely cottage near the north edge of town. Drawing from a prior visit to hike the CDT from Cumbres Pass:

The drive up on the highway is scenic, especially because sufficient moisture has made the forest, pastures, even the roadside a very healthy green. To drive to Elk Creek, continue beyond the summit of Cumbres Pass, beyond the Forest Road to Red Lake (a great hike), then Manga Pass, and finally to the turnoff to Elk Creek Campground (12.4 miles). Turn left onto Old Highway Road, then 1.26 miles on turn right to the Elk Creek Trailhead, where you will find ample parking and a sign for .. the trailhead.

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).

This hike has an interesting start – a very steep, rocky descent – from the trailhead down to the Elk Creek, across a bridge, then an equally very steep ascent back up to the other side of the creekway (is that a word?). From there it is a generally gradually ascent, for as far as we went. For the first half mile the trail follows close to the creek (‘tho perhaps 60 or more feet above the stream); the sound of water over rocks is quite fitting.

From that point the trail climbs up a bit, away from the creekway and continues an easy climb. At about the 1.25 mile point, the trail becomes very narrow, having been “carved” out of the steep face of the cliffs above. The surface is a bit loose sand/gravel, and falls away steeply down towards the creek. For us, having hiked the day before and by now approaching 2 miles (and we’re rebuilding strength and stamina after a year away from hiking), for reason of caution we turned back.

And to return to the trailhead, we were required to make those steep down to the river & bridge and back up again. We hiked over 4 miles, the first time since more than a year ago.

Highlight

It is always a joy to explore a new trail, and this a nice one – in a healthy forest along a burbling stream. We spoke with a few hikers on the trail, returning from an overnight and fishing. They spoke of “First Meadow” as a favorite place – perhaps we’ll return to get to it.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.42 miles
Elevation: start 8,807 ft, maximum 9,200 ft, minimum 8,756 ft
Gross gain: 444 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,050 ft, descending 1,051 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 32% descending, 6.9% average
Duration: 4:15, Average Speed: 1.0 mph

Elk Creek Trail Hike.Pat.2025-08-03 (KML)	24 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
<strong>Elk Creek Trail Hike.Pat.2025-08-03</strong> (GPX)	28 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

AllTrails: Elk Creek Trail
onX: Elk Creek
Ron Dungan: Hiking Elk Creek

Views to date: 10 views.

The Drive In

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