Category Archives: Years

Indian Creek Trail Hike – 11/09/2023

November 13, 2023

We have been curious about the San Mateo Mountains, so we decided to do a bit of exploring.

The Drive In

We chose to start with the southeast part of the San Mateos Mountains. From Albuquerque, we drove south on I-25 to Exit 115, Fort Craig Historic Site. Crossing over to the east side of I-25 we turned right onto Old US Hwy 85 (now designated NM 1) for 27 miles, then turned right onto Forest Road 225. FR 225 is a well used sand and gravel road, quite suitable for ‘city’ vehicles for about 12 miles; it then becomes a bit rocky ‘tho it doesn’t require a high-clearance vehicle.

At 13.3 miles we continued past an intersection where FR 225 turns to the left and continued straight ahead to the Springtime Campground. Springtime is interesting in that it appears to have been set up many years ago. It has a half dozen ramada (Adirondack shelters) and fire pits plus a pit toilet – also quite ancient – all of which made it a most interesting place to visit. It is also the trailhead for the Apache Kid Trail which goes to the top of San Mateo Peak. This would be a bit long hike with much elevation gain, but … maybe someday.

After checking out Springtime and walking up the Apache Kid Trail for a few hundred yards, we retraced our drive in for 3.6 miles to the trailhead for the Indian Creek Trail. We parked in large cleared area off of FR 225 with a windmill (a solar panel now providing the pump power), an open-top water tank, and a larger closed water tank

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 is not heavily used and we had difficulty identifying it from the parking area. We opted for the first trail-like track we saw which gave us a good start for the hike – steep enough to get the lungs and heart working for a quarter of a mile. With careful attention to scuffed grass and dirt, along with occasional cairns, we were able to proceed with confidence that we were on – a trail -. Nearing the saddle in the ridge, a mile on, the trail became a bit rocky and a bit steep again, but still relatively easy going.

Along the way we enjoyed some marvelous views of the surrounding mountains and down-canyon to the the view to the southeast went all the way to White Sands. I had planned to continue over the ridge and down into the next canyon – Indian Creek and Springtime Canyon, but at the top of the ridge we were looking at a -very steep- slope down so we decided to have lunch and enjoy the views there.

To get an even better view, we climbed up on a rock outcropping thinking it would be a good place for lunch – nope, there was no place to settle down so we found a nice vantage point just a bit along the ridge and relaxed for a while before returning to the trailhead.

Highlight

Mother Nature continues to offer color, even in the autumn.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.58 miles
Elevation: start 6,413 ft, maximum 7,012 ft, minimum 6,411 ft
Gross gain: 599 ft. Aggregate ascending 684 ft, descending 686 ft
Maximum slope: 30% ascending, 31% descending, 9.9% average
Duration: 2:50, Average Speed: 1.0 mph

Indian Creek Trail Hike.Pat.2023-11-09 (KML)	49 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Indian Creek Trail Hike.Pat.2023-11-09 (GPX)	49 Downloads
Indian Creek Trail Drivein.Pat.2023-11-09 (KML)	46 Downloads
Indian Creek Trail Drivein.Pat.2023-11-09 (GPX)	42 Downloads

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Springtime Campground
HipCamp: Springtime Campground
Southern New Mexico Explorer:
San Mateo Mountains, East Red Canyon (FT 31)
Springtime Campground
Magdalena-nm.com: USDA Forest Service – Introduction Southern San Mateo Mountains Trails (.pdf download)
——- This document provides excellent descriptions of -many- trails in the San Mateos – highly recommended.
SteepTrails.com: Apache Kid Wilderness
GAIA GPS: Best Hiking Trails near Springtime Campground – Zoom out or pan the map east to see Indian Creek Trail #48

Water Canyon Loop Trail Hike – 11/02/2023

November 12, 2023

We set out for the Jemez Mountains without a firm plan, except to have breakfast at the Highway 4 Cafe in Jemez Springs. But .. alas it was closed – for the day. Two week prior, on a Monday, we had the same encounter (the Cafe is regularly closed on Monday and Tuesday). To get something for breakfast, we shopped at the market in La Cueva – had canned tuna fish on crackers for breakfast, not satisfactory. So we decided to drive the extra distance to White Rock and breakfast at the Pig and Fig Cafe. That was a good choice, we enjoyed a really nice breakfast.

To make this long story short, having driven past Valles Caldera to White Rock, we decided to hike a trail that I have had in my sights for a few years – the Water Canyon Trail on the western boundary of the Los Alamos installation. In the past I hadn’t set it as a destination because we usually center our activities back at the Caldera and it is a bit of a drive to get here on a windy road. But since were already at White Rock, it made sense to hike it.

The Drive In

Whether coming from the east (Española) or the west (Jemez Springs) on NM 4, find your way to the intersection with NM 501, the road that goes into Los Alamos proper. Turn north on NM 501 where there are two parking places for access to the Water Canyon Trail. The first is a gravel parking area on the left (west side of NM 501) a quarter of a mile from the intersection. The second is a bit further on, nine tenths of a mile a dirt parking area again on the left, a steep area above the road. We encountered this first (coming from Los Alamos) so parked there to start our hike.

The Hike

Water Canyon Loop Trail Hike.Pat.2023-11-02

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

Alighting from the Tacoma and donning our packs, we headed out on the first thing we saw that looked like a trail. It became clear that it was a 2-track that headed uphill towards the mesa top. A bit rocky it was none the less an easy climb of 300 feet or so over 3/4 of a mile. From there we continued along the edge of the mesa on a mostly smooth trail, passing through a mixed ponderosa and juniper forest with vantage points to look down into Water Canyon.

At about 1.5 miles into the hike, we found ourselves passing through thick stands of very young aspen.From a distance, the white twigs of the trees, all having the same height, looked like grass they were so dense and uniform. For the most part their leaves had fallen, ‘tho a few leaves remained; this would be an beautiful colorful hike when the aspen are leafed out, even more so when they have turned into their autumn colors.

The last 4 tenths of a mile were on a well used Forest Road (American Spring Road) which took us the top of the loop at 2.6 miles. We found the trail off of the road, on the north side of the stream bed, and began our descent down Water Canyon. The canyon is narrow, but the trail-makers created an easy path above the bottom of the canyon. A bit steeper than the other half of the loop, it was an easy descent.

Upon reaching NM 105 and noting that we were at the first parking area mentioned above, we realized the truck was a half mile away … uphill (check the elevation profile on the GoogleEarth snapshot above). That last half mile was a bit of a drag, coming at the end of our hike. In the future we would choose to park at this lower area, hike up the canyon, then have the remainder of the loop downhill.

Highlight

… Checking out new territory.

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.24 miles
Elevation: start 7,714 ft, maximum 8,276 ft, minimum 7,572 ft
Gross gain: 704 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,051 ft, descending 1,049 ft
Maximum slope: 22% ascending, 19% descending, 6.0% average
Duration: 4:14 , Average Speed: 1.2 mph

Water Canyon Loop Trail Hike.Pat.2023-11-02 (KML)	47 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Water Canyon Loop Trail Hike.Pat.2023-11-02 (GPX)	41 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.

Other hikes in the area of Bandelier and White Rock.

References and Resources

AllTrails: Water Canyon Trail
Pajarito Environmental Education Center: Upper Water Canyon Trail to the Meadow
Hiking Project: Water Canyon
BeerHiker Prime Passages: Los Alamos Canyon Loop Hike

La Bajada Roads Loop Hike – 10/19/2023

October 21, 2023

A friend at Java Joe’s recently told us about his recent visit to La Bajada, a small village at the base of La Bajada, the escarpment (thank you, Chris). This village is at the base of the road up the escarpment from Rio Abajo to Rio Alta. There is great history of this road and the surrounding mesa and basin — dating back to prehistoric times, as part of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and subsequent Spanish travel from Mexico to Santa Fe, explorers and others from ‘back east’ as they explored the west, and in more modern times commercial interests and construction of various routes up La Bajada (Reference: La Bajada). I have enjoyed very much reading the Related Posts below. Mindful of this long history, it was even more interesting hiking on the La Bajada tracks while enjoying the great scenery of this trail.

The Drive In

The ‘trailhead’ is just beyond the village of La Bajada. From I-25 on the way from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, just before the highway starts uphill, exit onto NM 16 towards Peña Blanca. In 3.7 miles, turn right towards La Bajada (and the signs point to Tetilla Peak Recreation Area); it soon turns from paved to gravel. After crossing the bridge over the Santa Fe River, turn right onto La Bajada Village Road (2.4 miles). Passing the village on your right, continue for 1 mile to an intersection with a road going back across the Santa Fe river (a part of the original Route 66); park here – the trail continues on the gravel road/two track ahead .

The Hike

La Bajada Roads Loop Hike.Pat.2023-10-19

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

The high temperatures of summer have past (almost – we continue to have near record breaking highs), so we headed to La Bahada to explore this historic “roadway”. Reviewing land ownership maps, we were aware that the trailhead (and the road in for that matter) are on the Cochiti Pueblo. Thus we are most respectful to tread lightly. (About 3/4 mile and half way up the track enters National Forest land.)

The trail -is- the old Route 66. We planned to make our hike a loop, up one of the roads, then down another; the two legs join at that 3/4 mile point. And that first 3/4 mile is the section shown on so many photos – 6 or 7 switchbacks as it ascends the first 200 feet or so. It is a fairly steady climb with gravel being the predominant road/trail surface, with some sections rocky rock covered in some sections, and

And we enjoyed some great views on the way up – looking back at the switchbacks, and down from about 200 feet at our truck.

Nearing the top of the road, the view of the surrounding territory began to expand. And on top of Bajada Mesa, we had a 360° view, from the Sandias to the south, the Jemez to the northwest, and the Sangre de Cristo to the northeast.

To make a loop, we would cut across the top of the mesa. However, we thought we might enjoy a great view if we went to the point. So we set our course to 190 degrees (with help of the GPS and GAIA) and along the west edge of the mesa. With no trail to follow, the ground was peppered with 6″, 10″, and larger lava rocks – these made the going tough. We bailed (still enjoying great views) and turned across the mesa towards the other road/two-track. We intercepted a two-track that led us to the ‘trailhead’ for the descent.

‘Tho not a steep descent, the first few hundred yards were -very rocky-, quite challenging – I broke out my hiking pole which I use only when descending very rocky trails. Along this side of the mesa we were looking down into the Santa Fe cañon and the River – more great scenery.

On this track the scope of the La Bajada mesa was more evident, as it towered over the trail as we descended. And as we approached the junction with the up-hill track, the height of the mesa caught our attention.

Back on the lower/common portion of the loop – another view of the one of the switchbacks and the view across this western portion of the Galisteo Basin.

Upon returning to the truck and heading towards home, we drove through the village of La Bahada. Our friend Chris suggest we stop at the church and in particular see the doors that were produced many years ago by a fellow carpenter to his father. The doors are clearly a work of art and skill. Thanks, Chris, for your enthusiasm for New Mexico history and for sharing it with us.

Highlight

In so many ways this hike reflects what we enjoy so much about New Mexico. All around us there is history, from the Native Americans to the modern times. Hiking puts us into wildly open spaces with views of mountains, plains, rivers, and (almost) always the vibrant blue of New Mexico skies. And this time of year there are more colors – in the distance the cottonwood trees turning their golden yellow with some trees still green, complemented by some water (Cochiti Lake over Pat’s shoulder) and the skyline of the Jemez Mountains. “Why?”

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.7 miles
Elevation: start 5,507 ft, maximum 6,104 ft, minimum 5,506 ft
Gross gain: 598 ft. Aggregate ascending 796 ft, descending 728 ft
Maximum slope: 58% ascending, 59% descending, 6.8% average
Duration: 3:17, Average Speed: 1.1 mph

La Bajada Roads Loop Hike.Pat.2023-10-19 (KML)	47 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
La Bajada Roads Loop Hike.Pat.2023-10-19 (GPX)	42 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

National Park Service: New Mexico: La Bajada Mesa
La Bajada Mesa
USDA Forest Service: La Bajada (PDF)
Library of Congress: La Bajada Historic Trails and Roads (1598, 1860s, 1909, 1926)
The Village of La Bajada, NM: About
Trip Advissor: La Bajada Hill
Route 66 Times: La Bajada Hill
The Road Wanderer: Route 66 Side Trip – Exploring La Bajada
AllTrails: La Bajada Trail
Galisteo Basin Archaeology: Galisteo Watershed
Route 66 News: An early image of La Bajada Hill

Photos

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

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

FR 144-San Antonio Hot Springs Hike – 10/13/2023

October 20, 2023

‘Tis the time of year when autumn colors fill the bosques (the cottonwood trees) and the mountainsides (aspen). Hoping to catch the time right, we headed for the Jemez Mountains for, a drive on a forest road we haven’t seen in along time, and a hike we haven’t done before.

The Drive In

I will start the description at La Cueva on NM 4 – turn onto NM 126. proceed past the San Antonio Campground, then up-up-up the hill until just past the top, 5.8 miles. Turn right onto FR 144 – it is rough in spots so not suitable for a low-clearance vehicle but high-clearance isn’t required – for 6.4 miles. In a dip in the road, turn right to a parking area maybe 50 yards from FR 144.

The Hike

FR 144-San Antonio Hot Springs Hike 2023-10-13

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 began by passing through a pedestrian gate (typical pasture barbed wire gate, it may be closed) and proceeds down a seldom used 2-track. At the bottom of the slope, now in the San Antonio Creek valley (soon to become a cañon), we bore to the right to follow the two-track (this happens to be FR 376).

The trail/2-track proceeds just above the western side of the cañon with nice views across the Creek to the steep slopes of the eastern side of the cañon. And above us the vertical rock outcroppings to prevalent in these Jemez Mountain, formed by the Valles Caldera volcano.

About 2.5 miles into the hike we were abreast of the San Antonio Hot Spring. We crossed the Creek (on a bridge, for our convenience and dry feet) and climbed up a -well used-, steep trail to the Hot Spring, ~200 feet, 2/10th of a mile. There were a handful of people already there enjoying the 3 or 4 pools – the hotest pool at the top, the other pools progressively less hot. We chose the 3rd pool down to soak our feet (we didn’t have appropriate attire to make it a full soak; all the other people were appropriately attired). Then it was a hike back to the truck (including an uphill finish which we normally avoid).

A Note: In talking with a couple of the others who were there, we learned that FR 276 is open and offers a drive in that is closer than our drive/hike; in the past it hasn’t always been open. They also reported that it, like FR 144, is a bit rough.

Highlight

It was great to be back in the Jemez, and ‘tho not yet in full “bloom”, to see the colors of autumn.

And to top off the highlights of this hike, we were encountered by a pair of (real) cowboys rounding up their cattle before winter sets in. We had exchanged greetings with them as we started the hike at the trailhead, and as they mounted their horses and headed into the cañon. But along the trail towards the Spring they came up behind us, and … asked us to get off the trail – we climbed into a crevice in the cañon wall as they passed us by.

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.32 miles
Elevation: start 8,713 ft, maximum 8,713 ft, minimum 8,258 ft
Gross gain: 455 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,353ft, descending 1,352 ft
Maximum slope: 43% ascending, 36% descending, 7.2% average
Duration: 4:19, Average Speed: 1.2 mph

FR 144-San Antonio Hot Springs Hike 2023-10-13 (KML)	47 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
FR 144-San Antonio Hot Springs Hike 2023-10-13 (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.

Off of FR 144
— Road Canyon Hike – 11/19/2017
— San Antonio Canyon North Hike, 11/12/2017
— Pony Canyon Hike, 09/04/2017
— Pony Canyon Hike, 06/04/2017
And there are other hikes in cañons off of FR 144
From within Valles Caldera
— Valle de San Antonio Hike, 09/22/2020
— Valle de San Antonio Hike, 09/11/2019
Hikes in Valles Caldera
Hikes in the Jemez Mountains

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: San Antonio Hot Springs
All Trails: San Antonio Hot Springs
Trip Advisor: San Antonio Hot Springs
Ultimate Hot Springs Guide: San Antonio Hot Springs
Traxplorio: San Antonio Hot Springs – A Little Slice of Heaven Deep in the Santa Fe National Forest

Photos

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

Atalaya Trail Hike – 10/10/2023

October 11, 2023

Atalaya Mountain Trail has been on the list for both of us; it is a good hike this time of year (hot in summer, icy and snowy in winter).

The Drive In

The Atalaya – Upper Trailhead is uphill from St John’s College. (There is an Atalaya -Lower Trailhead.) From Old Santa Fe Trail in front of the National Park Service offices, go north on Camino Del Monte Sol, the right (east) on Camino De Cruz Blanca. Just past where it makes a hard right turn onto Wilderness Gate Road, you will find a small parking area on the left; part there. Or, retrace back on Camino De Cruz Blanca; perhaps there will be a parking space at the Dorothy Stewart Trailhead. Otherwise, ????.

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).

From the parking spaces, walk down Wilderness Gate Road, turn left and pass around a gate into the residential neighborhood. From there .. this hike “gets right to it”.. continue up Camino De Cruze Blanca. A third of a mile on climb the Steep Steps onto the Atalaya Trail #170. The first few hundred yards of the trail is a nice wide sand trail, a steady but easy climb. But further on the trail gets quite steep, often with a very rocky surface – quite challenging.

Just short of a mile from parking, we encountered a sign: STEEPER ROUTE to the left, EASIER ROUTE to the right. Looking at the tracks we chose the shorter route, the STEEPER ROUTE. And was it STEEPER, over rocks and tree roots most of the way to where the EASIER ROUTE rejoined the main trail. We planned to take the latter on the way down.

From there the trail continued to be steep with a rocky surface with only a few respites of not-so-steep-and-rocky surface until the 2 mile point in the hike. Here we attained the ridge; after a sharp turn to the left, the trail led to the peak of Atalaya Mountain (continuing to climb though not so steep).

There were great views to the north, south, and west as we climbed up the trail. But the view from near the top was the best, with Santa Fe laid out below and the Jemez Mountains in the distance. After a break for a snack lunch, we headed back down, choosing to take the EASIER ROUTE – although longer by 3/4 mile, it was a much better (EASIER) trail.

Jay here: The first time I attempted this hike was about 3 years ago. We started down at the St. Johns Campus which is the longer route for this hike. You walk up a wide arroyo before getting to where we started on this most recent hike. Naj and I made it all the way up to where the signs are for Steeper and Easier, but the trail was icy and snow covered, forcing us to turn back. Having now experienced the narrow and rocky switchbacks up near the summit, I’m glad we did not try to do this hike in icy conditions. Just to emphasize, by steeper they mean STEEP. When the hike was completed, George said he did it because he thought I could do it. To which I said, “really? I did it because I thought you could do it.” That’s hiking in New Mexico for you.

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.09 miles
Elevation: start 7,554 ft, maximum 8,992 ft, minimum 7,553 ft
Gross gain: 1,438 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,753 ft, descending 1,753 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 34% descending, 12.0% average
Duration: 3:55 , Average Speed: 1.3 mph

Atalaya Trail Hike.Jay.2023-10-10 (KML)	370 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Atalaya Trail Hike.Jay.2023-10-10 (GPX)	160 Downloads

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.

Hikes Around Santa Fe

References and Resources

AllTrails: Atalaya Mountain Trail (starts at the Lower Trailhead)
GAIA GPS
Atalaya Mountain Via Atalaya Trail
Atalaya Mountain LoopVia Atalaya Trail And Dale Ball Trails
Hiking Project: Atalaya Mountain Trail (#170)
SummitPost: Atalaya Mountain
Fatmap: Atalaya Mountain Loop
Only in Your State: Atalaya Mountain Trail Is An Easy Hike …

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

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

Hidden Valley Trail Hike – 09/26/2023

September 30, 2023

This, a day trip to Valles Caldera to enjoy some beautiful scenery, and to get out on the trail. Hidden Valley meets both of those goals exceptionally well.

The Drive In

The trail begins at a two-track to the left of the main road driving into Valles Caldera, about .6 mile from NM 4. Park alongside the road, near the two-track with a cable blocking vehicle traffic. ‘Tho it isn’t visible from the parking place, the Missing Cabin is just over the ridge at the end of the two-track.

The Hike

Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2023-09-26

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

This trail is ideal for an easy hike into a beautiful part of Valles Caldera. Unlike going into the back country of the Caldera, an entrance reservation and permit is not required (reservations and permits are now required to go beyond the cabin district, a procedure instituted this summer).

I could not write a better description of a hike on this trail than I wrote back on 2021: Hidden Valley Trail Hike – 10/22/2021. After you read that, then read the notes that I’m adding from this hike.

There is now way photos can do justice to the beauty of Valles Caldera The scale of the scale of the scenery is huge especially across the very wide and flat valley itself – we could see black specks in the middle Valle, a herd of elk. The colors and shapes of the Valle and the mountains in and around it , set off against a clear blue sky is beautiful.

Closer in on our hike, Hidden Valley itself presents such a wide range of colors, patterns, and shapes, with the grasses along the East Fork Jemez River and Douglas fir and blue spruce trees up the sides of the Valley.

From parking, we took a trail (not the gravel road) up the hill through knee high grass. Topping the hill we passed the Cabin and proceeded back down into Hidden Valley and the trail paralleling the East Fork Jemez River. The trail presents clumps of worn-down grass. Once into the Valley, it is mostly smooth ground with a few yards of rocks scattered along the way. In a couple of places the trail is right up against the River – passable at this time of year but likely inundated when there is more water in the River. There is one river crossing – a couple of boards on rocks made it easy.

Highlight

The abundant grasses along the stream create a colorful scene, ranging from green to yellow and some orange, true Autumn colors. At one point, Pat said “the scenery just follows along with us”. Then, approaching some deep grass, Pat flushed a great horned owl who flew off accompanied by a raven that had been perched in a tree above. The owl taking flight made virtually no noise.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.86 miles
Elevation: start 8,545 ft, maximum 8,568 ft, minimum 8,464 ft
Gross gain: 104 ft. Aggregate ascending 646 ft, descending 647 ft
Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 27% descending, 4.2% average
Duration: 3:25 , Average Speed: 1.1 mph

Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2023-09-26 (KML)	22 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Valles Caldera-Hidden Valley Trail Hike.Pat.2023-09-26 (GPX)	0 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.

Other Hikes in Hidden Valley
Hikes in Valles Caldera

References and Resources

National Park Service:
      Valles Caldera – A Diverse Landscape Born from an Explosive Past
   Hike the Missing Cabin Trail
      Hike the Hidden Valley Trail
AllTrails: Hidden Valley Trail
Prime Passages (“Beerhiker”): Hidden Valley – Hidden Valley Beer Hike
Western Regional Climate Cener: Hidden Valley, New Mexico Weather Station

For a tour of our hike, click on any Photo for annotated Gallery Show.

Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike – 11/09/2023

September 20, 2023

We looked forward to returning to the hike up to Cerro de la Garita from the north. First, to try to find a route more direct than our hike last fall for future visits with friends, and second to again enjoy the amazing view into the north half of Valles Caldera.

The Drive In

We made the same route as for our previous visit – I-25, US 550 (and a stop at Chaco Grill in Cuba), NM 96 to Youngsville, then FR 100 and FR 96 to the intersection with FR 144. ‘Tis a 3 hour drive which makes for along day, but we enjoy the hike very much.

The Hike

Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike.Pat.2023-09-07

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

The mountainside from FR 144 up to the peak is laced with old logging trails, none of which offer much of a direct route. I viewed the area closely on GoogleEarth and sketched a route from one logging trail to another, as direct a route as I could devine. As we attempted to follow my sketch, and using the Satellite overlay on GAIA, there was just enough discrepancy between the image on GAIA and ‘ground truth’ (our track) to keep us uncertain about our position. As we gained experience (perspective), we began to recognize the openings and gained some skill in orienteering.

Anyhow, we were able to follow the openings/logging trails for a nice hike up, and back down (which didn’t diverge far from our track on the previous visit). And at the top, following along the edge of the south side of la Garita we again enjoyed the fabulous view from 2,000 feet above the ‘T’ in the road into northern area of Valles Caldera and Valle Santa Rosa and Valle San Antonio, and in the distance Valle jaramillo and Valles Caldera.

Highlight

Clearly, the view of Valles Caldera from 2,000 feet above the floor – it is spectacular.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.07 miles
Elevation: start 10,228 ft, maximum 10,601 ft, minimum 10,198 ft
Gross gain: 403 ft. Aggregate ascending 856 ft, descending 856 ft
Maximum slope: 6.2% ascending, 21.8% descending, 7.9% average
Duration: 3:35, Average Speed: 1.1 mph

Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike.Pat.2023-09-07 (KML)	34 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike.Pat.2023-09-07 (GPX)	51 Downloads
Cerro de la Garita North Side Drivein.Pat.2023-09-07 (KML)	67 Downloads
Cerro de la Garita North Side Drivein.Pat.2023-09-07 (GPX)	55 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.

Cerro de la Garita North Side Hike – 09/27/2022
Other Hikes in Valles Caldera

References and Resources

AllTrails: Cerro La Garita
Peak Advisor: Cerro de la Garita
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Oak Flats Trails Walkabout – 08/04/2023

September 11, 2023

Most mornings we walk 3 to 4+ miles on the trails in the Bosque, along the Rio Grande. We’re getting to know the 3 sections we frequent very well. With a bit more time on this morning, and for a change of scenery, we went to the Forest Service Oak Flats Picnic Site and Trailhead.

The Drive In

Tis an easy drive from Albuquerque: east on I-40, off at Tijeras, south on NM 337 for 10 miles. At the top of the hill, turn left on Oak Flat Road, proceed for 1 mile to the entrance on the left – Oak Flat Picnic Site. Follow the road around to the left, passing Group Sites, to parking for the trailhead.

The Walkabout

Oak Flats Trails Walkabout.Pat.2023-09-04

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

Oak Flats has -many- trails, all of them make quite easy hikes (despite an elevation of 7,600+/- feet). Some sections are a bit rocky and some have some elevation gain; most of the trails are well trodden dirt, occasionally with piñon or ponderosa pine needles. (These trails are popular for the mountain bike enthusiasts, so you may meet them occasionally.)

Checking back on hikes/walkabouts we’ve made before (Other Walkabouts or Hikes at Oak Flats), and ‘tho we took different trails, I can’t add much to the description in the post Oak Flats Walkabout – 04/20/2021. I will add that this day’s loop, further from the trailhead than the 04/20/2021 walkabout, presented an easier hike (less rocky) and was through some of the most pleasant sections of the Oak Flats Open Spaces and the adjacent National Forest land. This Walkabout motivates me to return to Oak Flats more often.

A note: If you are the least bit ‘directionally challenged’ (as I am), or don’t develop a mental picture of the trails as you go along (as I don’t), or can retain an image from a map or otherwise (I can’t do that either), bring a map or GPS to track your position and route. There is a map on the information board at the trailhead; get a photo on your ubiquitous phone to take with you. And maps are available online. On the trails, there are signs at intersections that identify the trails; together with a map, these will help you keep track of your location.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.82 miles
Elevation: start 7,684 ft, maximum 7,692 ft, minimum 7,490 ft
Gross gain: 202 ft. Aggregate ascending 563 ft, descending 564 ft
Maximum slope: 11% ascending, 14% descending, 3.6% average
Duration: 2:49, Average Speed: 1.7 mph

Oak Flats Trails Walkabout.Pat.2023-09-04 (KML)	79 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Oak Flats Trails Walkabout.Pat.2023-09-04 (GPX)	51 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.

Other Walkabouts or Hikes at Oak Flats (BTW, some are titled “Walkabout” & others “Hike”. They are all actually “Walkabouts” .. we don’t typically bring our packs, lunch, etc. that distinguishes “Hikes”.)
Other Hikes Around Tijeras

References and Resources

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

Osha Spring Trail Hike – 08/31/2023

September 2, 2023

Back to Placitas to hike on another of the trails Jay and I have enjoyed. This one — Osha Spring Trail on the northeast corner of the Sandia Mountains.

The Drive In

The trailhead is on NM 165, the road that goes along the east side of the Sandia Mountains. One can get to the trailhead from the north or the south, but it is -very- rough especially from the south, from the Sandia Crest Highway NM 536. This road is not recommended for ‘city’ cars.

Thus I recommend – from the Bernalillo exit on I-25, take NM 165 eastbound through Placitas. The pavement ends at 9.3 miles where the road becomes very rough for 100 yards or so. Continue for two-tenths of a mile; after crossing a 2nd bridge look on the right for the start of the trail, a steep path up a short incline from the road. Turn around and park on the wider section of the road across from the trailhead. A few yards from the trailhead is a sign announcing the Osha Spring Trail.

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).

Much of the trail is in the open sun through juniper and scraggly piñon pine trees. The trail surface is over rocky and gravelly ground (“ball bearing” Nancy calls it). Except for a few sections, it is a steady climb to make the 1,200 feet elevation gain in 2 miles. On the upper portion of our hike, above 7,000 feet, the ground gave way to dirt and even some pine needle cover now that we were above the altitude where ponderosa and healthy piñon pines abound.

In contrast with our prior hikes when we experienced “..chilly..” conditions and even snow, on this day the weather was -hot-, certainly in the high 80s. This made it difficult to apply the description from another of our prior hikes: “.. a nice trail, and easy..”. The beer when we stopped for lunch at the Cafe in Placitas was truly welcome.

Jay here: The memory does play tricks on us. I didn’t remember how much of a steady grade up this trail has…or I blocked that part out. We did make it further than our previous hikes, which was on the plus side. On the minus side, we also forgot that the return downhill on the rocks required lots of fancy footwork if you wanted to maintain an upright position. Someday we might actually get to the end of the trail, to the Lands End Mine. Or maybe it will always just beyond our physical endurance. Quien sabe?

Highlight

When there was an opening in the trees alongside the trail, or when looking back down the trail, there were some good views.

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.03 miles
Elevation: start 6,509 ft, maximum 7,801 ft, minimum 6,501 ft
Gross gain: 1,300 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,420 ft, descending 1,420 ft
Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 30% descending, 10.4% average
Duration: 3:25, Average Speed: 1.47 mph

Osha Spring Trail Hike.Jay.2023-08-31 (KML)	56 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Osha Spring Trail Hike.Jay.2023-08-31 (GPX)	53 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.

Other Hikes on Osha Spring Trail
Other Hikes Around Placitas

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Osha Spring Trail 247
AllTrails Osha Spring Trail
ASCHG: Osha Spring Trail
ondafringe: Day Hike: Osha Spring Trail

Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike – 08/08/2023

August 11, 2023

To escape the really hot summer temperatures in Albuquerque (and Santa Fe) we headed to higher elevations, to Red River and camping in the Elephant Rock Campground. The plan – hike up the Middle Fork of the Red River to … Middle Fork Lake. Pat & I did this hike back in 2020 and in 2019 with grandson Thomas. We’ve enjoyed it and welcomed the chance to share it and two nights of camping with our friends Jay, Nancy, and Bo from Santa Fe.

The Drive In

To get to the trailhead, drive through Red River on NM 578 and continue south to the end of the pavement. Continue on the first road to the right, Forest Road 58, a Class 4 tw0-track. Because of recent rains we drove through two fairly large, ‘tho not deep, pools of water. Then for the next 4oo yards or so this very rocky road had a rivulet of water running down it. We continued for a bit more than a mile to a large parking area. A high clearance vehicle is preferable, but there were “street” autos in the parking lot. The trail proceeds from there.

Jay here: Someone drove in with a Subaru Crosstrek which is not very high clearance. Must have driven VERY slowly.

The Hike

Middle Fork Lake Trail Hike.PatJayNancyBo.2023-08-09

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

From the parking lot, the trail proceeds for on a continuation of the two track. Some 500 yards on we encountered a gate labeled Private Property. But to the left was a sign directing us to the left and across a bridge over this Middle Fork of the Red River and to the “Middle Fork TR No. 91”.

The first half mile is very rocky and in full sun; the the next half mile is less rocky with some shade. A nice smooth trail follows for few hundred yards, then the trail continues with sections that are rocky and with sun interspersed with shaded areas.

At 1.3 miles into the hike, the trail crosses the Middle Fork, this time with no bridge. One can choose to cross on tree trunks laying across the shallow stream, hop across on rocks, or … just wade. We chose one of the first two, ‘tho Nancy with Bo opted to wade across.

The trail makes a steady climb all the way to the lake with 3 sections of switchbacks, the last one 1.9 miles into the hike. Topping out, the trail enters an open area that leads to the lake. We took in the scenery and cool temperature lakeside – with the wind it even became a bit chilly.

We enjoyed our lunches and headed back down. Clouds had been building while we had lunch and before long it took to raining — on with the ponchos and raincoats. We continued down, again making the stream crossings and back to the parking area – by that time we were out of the rain. (This was Bo’s 3rd hike with us, and he is getting his hiking legs.)

Jay here: Each switchback was an opportunity to stop in the shade before tackling the next leg. Not a bad way to hike unless you’ve got something to prove — we’re done with that. When the wind amped up it was like a classic science experiment. Warm air blows across cold water and voila, air conditioning! We’ve hiked in rain and snow before, but tiny hail pellets were a first. Bo is definitely gaining real hiking experience but his fur was mighty soggy at hike’s end. He may need his own poncho.

Statistics

Total Distance: 5.03 miles
Elevation: start 9,637 ft, maximum 10,862 ft, minimum 9,633 ft
Gross gain: 1,193 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,745 ft, descending 1,745 ft
Maximum slope: 42% ascending, 43% descending, 10.5% average
Duration: 4:23 , Average Speed: 1.15 mph