We returned today to the Osha Spring Trail; we’ve hiked here thrice before. It’s close to Placitas and the Cafe for our traditional breakfast. It is nice to return to familiar trails, to see things familiar .. and things we didn’t notice before.
The Hike
Osha Spring Trail Hike.Jay.2019-09-08
This -is- a nice trail, and easy 1000+ elevation gain: no sections that are very steep with a rocky trail in places (normal throughout the Sandias) Generally we hike through juniper, some scrub oak, and in some places what we think are mountain mahogany “shrubs”. It is interesting to see the changing vistas to the east (as we climb above the elevations of the Crest of Montezuma and the ridge north of Palomas) and to the north (Las Huertas valley and in the distance the Ortiz Mountains, Cerrillos Hill, and the Sangre de Christo Mountains).
You may note in the posts for prior hikes, we spoke of extending our hike to the Landsend Barite Mine. Well .. one day we’ll set out to do that. We’re in better shape now (and with more confidence in our hiking ability), that is back on our “someday” list.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.32 miles
Elevation: start 6,502 ft, maximum 7,628 ft, minimum 6,502 ft
Gross gain: 1,126 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,276 ft, descending 1,282 ft
Maximum slope: 30% ascending, 30% descending, 10.7% average
Duration: 3:47
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I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
References and Resources
USDA Forest Service: Osha Spring Trail 247
All Trails: Osha Spring Trail
ondafringe: Day Hike: Osha Spring Trail
Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide:
Osha Spring Trail
Landsend Barite Mine (book extract)
