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.
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.
Flora for this hike: Close up of small “star cactus” in winter color.
Jay and I returned to the Ojito Wilderness; it is such an interesting place, not so far from home, and this is the best time of year to hike thereabouts. We chose the ASCHG hike, Bernalillito Mesa Loop Hike. We found the complete hike is -on the top- of Mesa Bernalillito. This made for spectacular views (check out the photo galleries below), tho’ not much interesting geology like we found on the Meseta de Ricardo hike.
The Hike
Bernalillito Mesa Top Loop Hike.Jay.2016-12-11
As you will see in the statistics, there was not much elevation gain. We could not find any discernible hiking trails, tho’ at times we could follow cattle trails. In some areas, the surface was (almost) flat rock, but most was soft soil with fairly large clumps of grasses and shrubs making the surface uneven.
A friend had reported visiting Pueblo ruins on a mesa near a pipe line pumping station (there is one near where we started), so we were on the lookout for signs of ruins. We found some mounds that were suspicious, but none of the other signs that we associate with ruins: somewhat orderly piles of rock rubble from collapsed blockhouses, pottery sherds, and depressions reflecting the locations of kivas.
Flora for this hike: This juniper saw many winters, and now presents us with another beautiful sculpture by Mother Nature.
Jay here: While this hike certainly had no shortage of spectacular scenic views, I kept wishing that there was an actual trail to follow. Not that I mind a certain amount of bushwhacking, but the soft soil and the constant need to dodge nasty little cacti can get tiresome. Finding a cow path on the return loop was almost a relief. I’d much rather dodge cow pies than cacti. Either way, there’s a lot of looking down when you would rather be looking up at the great vistas.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.93 miles Elevation: 5,885 start, 6,217 maximum, 5,885 minimum Gross gain: 332 ft. Aggregate ascending 673 ft, descending: 673 ft Maximum slope: 45% ascending, 52% descending, 4% average Duration: 3:23
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.
Having hiked in in various places in the Ojito Wilderness, we came to expand our familiarity with this most interesting place. We drove out Cabezon Road to Pipeline Road, to explore this route into the Rio Puerco valley. It was a bit chilly in 10-15 knot winds starting out on this hike.
The Drive In
The road from US 550 is Class 3: well traveled dirt, fine in dry conditions, but not a place to go after rain or if there is snow on the road. From US 550, go south on Cabezon Road. Continue past the White Mesa Bike Trails for 1.3 miles, turn right to stay on Cabezon Road. Continue another 6.7 miles to the gas pipeline station. Turn right onto Pipeline Road (Class 4), proceed for 1.6 miles, turn right onto the 2nd 2-track, Class 5. You will pass between a fence and a set of corals; parking is 9/10ths of a mile off of Pipeline Road. The 2-track is relatively good but only with a high-clearance vehicle (we use a Tacoma 4WD pickup).
The Hike
Mesita de Ricardo Hike, 12/04/2016
Our hike started from parking at a fence, across about 6/10ths of a mile of level, open terrain, to rocky ridges with mesas another 1/4 to 1/2 of a mile beyond. We proceeded northeast towards -the- Meseta de Ricardo, generally following a track from ASCHG. Along the way, I looked intently for petrified wood, having found same in earlier hikes in similar terrain (see captions in George’s Photos). At one point, we entered a small canyon and encountered a 10′ rock wall, so it was backtrack and find a way up and around it.
Flora for this hike: Cholla cactus in its winter finery.
We continued northeast towards Meseta de Ricardo, stopping for coffee in the lee of the mesa and a rock outcropping to be out of the wind. From here we found ourselves diverging from the ASCHG hike, reaching a point where we made a sharp right turn to get back to their track. It was fortunate for us, as from their description we didn’t have a difficult descent from the top of the meas, and … we came across an area of rocks lying about that we concluded must be petrified tree trunks (check the photos below). This was a great way to finish the interesting part of the hike; from here it was back across the valley to the truck.
We will return for more exploring. And this is a great area to visit for just exploring; it is just an hour from Bernalillo and interesting sights are close enough that long hiking isn’t required.
Jay here: For someone who had the remnants of a rotten cold (carrying a ton of kleenex), this turned out to be a very fascinating hike. The winds almost pushed across the flat start of the hike and over some very different terrain for us. Getting up close to hoodoos and other rock formations was a big attraction but the petrified trees we came upon at late stage of the hike was the big bonus. You almost don’t believe that you’re looking at ancient trees that time has turned into stone. Definitely going back for a closer look.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.18 miles Elevation: 5,821 start, 5,986 maximum, 5,816 minimum Gross gain: 165 ft. Aggregate ascending 436 ft, descending: 433 ft Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 35% descending, 4% average Duration: 2:50
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.
Flora for this hike: Mountain Oak in it’s autumn finery.
The weather forecast called for cold and windy conditions, with a likelihood of snow. ‘Tho we planned to head out into the Ojito Wilderness, these conditions would make for an unpleasant hike. So, we changed our plans and headed for the east side of the Sandia Mountains. Using the Sandia Mountains Hiking Guide, we opted for this loop, thinking we would be sheltered from the wind among the trees. That proved to be partially true – we had some strong winds part of the time and cold when clouds covered the sun.
The Hike
Armijo-Faulty-Cienega Trails, Hike 11/27/2016
This is an easy hike, ‘tho with a large elevation gain. The trail is in ponderosa, fir, and juniper forest throughout; the surface varies from needle-covered dirt to some rocky areas. In a few spots there was a fair amount of deadfall, particularly in one section coming down Cienega Canyon. There was also many areas where clearing had been taking place, leaving large piles of branches and limbs.
Jay here: One man’s easy is another man’s huff and puff. George likes elevation variety and we did have that. The ice and snow covered canyon side trek down toward end of hike was not the thrill ride I was looking for and the cold wind on the high ground made it a challenging albeit shorter hike.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.81 miles Elevation: 7,268 start, 7,877 maximum, 7,090 minimum Gross gain: 787 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,392 ft, descending: 1,392 ft Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 30% descending,99% average Duration: 3:12
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.
Returning, this time with Jay, to one of my favorite hiking sites. It is far off the beaten path, some 30 miles from US highway 550, much of that distance on dirt roads. Although the road is well graded, one should not head out this way soon after any precipitation.
The Drive In
Drive-in route from US 550, via CR 279, through San Luis, the -old- village of Guadalupe, past the Guadalupe Mesa ruins, to Tapia Canyon.
The drive in is straightforward: US 550 to CR 279/San Louis Road. Continue through San Louis, stay on 279 as it turns from pavement to a Class 3 road (‘New Mexico pavement’), about 8 miles. Resist turns at 11.5, 16.8, and 21 miles. The road descends into the Rio Puerco valley; along the way it crosses two deep arroyos – the road to the bottom and out is -very- steep .. interesting to drive thorough. At 29 miles from US 550, the road climbs over a sharp saddle, below the Guadalupe Ruins up on the adjacent mesa. From there its .4 mile to the turnoff into Tapia Canyon on a Class 5 road (two-track). Park at the end (there is ample room to turn around).
The vistas across the Rio Puerco are or so beautiful I can’t resist including them in this post.
The Hike
This hike is through the bottom of a wide canyon with walls from 50′ to 150′ high. The surface varies from rocky through sandy to grass covered ground. “Trees” are mostly salt cedar (tamarisk) along the wash that wanders back and forth across the canyon. This is not a good place for summer hiking.
Track of the hike in Tapia Canyon, 11/19/2016.
Of great interest are 3 or 4 section of the canyon walls with large collections of petroglyphs, beginning about 2.2 miles or so up the canyon. There are few under an overhang on the left (south) wall (not easy to find), then a large collection 30′ to 40′ or so above the canyon wall on the right (north) wall at 2.3 miles into the hike. One can get close to the petroglypns by climbing some 30′ up on a mound that sits next to the wall (see photos below).
Further up the canyon, there is an arch on the right, an entrance to a slot side-canyon, where we began our return route. Following clues from others who hiked here previously, we found a route to ascend to the south mesa top. Although the wall seemed to have no breaks in it, we found a series of steps cut (or worn) into a 15′ section of rock leading to ‘navigable’ terrain that permitted us to get up on the mesa top. From there we visited the Tower Ruins, then back down into the canyon and returned to the parking spot.
A view from atop the mesa east of Tapia Canyon, near the Tower Ruins.
Jay here: Once again, this was a hike where George encouraged me to exceed my comfort level by climbing atop the mesa via ancient “steps” worn into the rock face of the canyon. It was worth getting to the top although I avoided any backward looks as I made my way up. Ironically, the route down would have been easier but lacked the drama.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.77 miles Elevation: 5,957 start, 6,167 maximum, 5,929 minimum Gross gain: 238 ft. Aggregate ascending 928 ft, descending: 928 ft Maximum slope: 31% ascending, 29% descending, 4% average Duration: 3:31
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Jay & I have looked forward for many months to tackle this hike, having been put off on our first try by a rare rainy day, and since then waiting for cooler fall weather.
The Hike
Red Mesa HIke.Jay.2016-11-13
From the parking lot, up the hillside, the terrain was fairly easy; we were following in general a track downloaded from ASCHG. The terrain was not too steep and the ground was dirt with some rocks, and very interesting rocks and rock outcroppings. After following a two-track about 2/3 of the distance to the top of the loop, we then picked up a bike trail (this area is adjacent to the Red Mesa Bike Trials area, frequented by off-road bicyclists). We’re still wondering where the bike trail came from and where it went.
After our mid-hike coffee break, we headed down the other side of the loop. But .. that canyon just west of our track was very deep and narrow, with very steep sides. The one place where we were able to descend into that canyon, we encountered a pool of water from wall-to-wall. So we ascended back up to higher terrain, then found it necessary to work our way up the side canyons until they were shallow enough to permit us to cross. All in all, this was an interesting hike, and the area is worth exploring more in the future.
Jay here: That mountain bike track was insane. It went along side deep canyons, over extensive ledges, and had numerous jumps of 2-3′ landing on irregular rock surfaces. The only way I could watch someone ride that trail is with my eyes closed. A very strenuous hike for one that we thought would be easier.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.57 miles Elevation: 5,534 start, 6,372 maximum, 5,534 minimum Gross gain: 833 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,056 ft, descending: 1,057 ft Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 26% descending, 7% average Duration: 4:34
Seeking out trails that we haven’t yet visited, this weekend we returned to the Jemez Mountains, to Stable Canyon (thanks to ASCHG for description and track info). Although it is mid-October and the forest is showing it’s autumn colors, the daytime temperatures are still nearly hot, so the description of “Cool shady hike along the Guadalupe River and up a green canyon …” made this hike appealing to us.
The Hike
FR 376-Stable Canyon Hike.Jay.2016-10-16
We first tried to cross the Guadalupe River near the entrance to the canyon, to spend more time in Stable Canyon and thus eliminating the .4 mile approach along the River. We pushed our way through some mean brambles, scouting 600 yards of the River, but we could not find a suitable crossing. Oh well, we capitulated and drove on up the road, crossed the bridge at Porter, and headed back south on a good two-track to the mouth of the Canyon.
The trail follows the bottom of Stable Canyon, a steady tho’ not steep ascent among Ponderosa pine, gambel oak, some aspen, and in some places more of those nasty brambles. The sides of the canyon are quite steep, but the trail follows an ancient two-track mostly without rocks. The trail is well traveled for one so remote, (it appeared most frequently by cattle), so the walking is very easy although in many places one must push through or under spare undergrowth. About midway up the Canyon we found a small stream of water in the creek bed, adding to this most pleasant hike.
Jay here: The river may have defeated us this time, but next time it won’t be so lucky. I’m thinking that if we carry 2 super duty Hefty trash bags with us, we can gather up one on each leg and get across the Guadalupe without no stinkin’ boots. It was a relatively easy hike in terms of elevation gain but offered many moments for contemplation. Listening to the wind rustle the trees when we stopped for coffee only amplified how quiet and serene the trail can be and how restorative a walk in the woods can be.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.15 miles Elevation: 7,219 start, 7,670 maximum, 7,179 minimum Gross gain: 451 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,130 ft, descending: 1,130 ft Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 40% descending, 9% average Duration:3:02
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.
Earlier this summer, I came across descriptions of hiking in the Dome Wilderness, a small designated wilderness area abutting the western boundary of Bandelier National Monument; it looked intriguing. With the cooler temperatures of autumn, and a willingness to go further into the wilderness on barely improved Forest Roads, we headed for the trail (see references below).
The Drive In
The drive was itself interesting: past the Cochiti Pueblo and Cochiti Dam and Lake, and the Town of Cochiti, onto Forest Road 89, then 289 (a high clearance vehicle, preferably with 4-wheel drive is recommended but not necessary). The trailhead was easy to find, with a nice parking area for a half dozen cars.
The Hike
Google Earth screenshot of hike on Trail 118 across Eagle Canyon to Sanchez Canyon and the Sanchez Waterfall. We could not see a way to get down into Sanchez Canyon below the waterfall, so we had coffee on the canyon above it.
About 100 yards from the trailhead, we are looking down into a steep sided, narrow, fairly deep canyon – this made us wonder if this is going to be a difficult transit. It wasn’t – the trail has switchbacks so it is never steep; the surface is rocky, but not loose rocks, which makes for good footing and easy walking. As you can see from the screenshot, there are no (live) trees. Two fires have burned through the Dome Wilderness, the Dome Fire in 1996 and the Las Conchas fire in 2011. As you can see in the photos, there are many blackened trunks, standing and fallen, and only a few scrub oaks growing. But … there were lots of colors in the many different flowering plants scattered throughout the area.
Up out of Eagle Canyon across the adjoining mesa, then along the west slope of Sanchez Canyon. The trail here is carved out on the very steep side of the canyon; the trail isn’t narrow, but the steep falloff into the canyon can be unnerving. The presence of a waterfall was first signaled by the noise of falling water. The trail crosses the canyon above the waterfall, and there was no way safe for us to see the waterfall from there. It was only on the way out that we sighted the stream of water down deep in the canyon.
We walked some 100 yards up the canyon and found some shade afforded by fallen tree trunks and debris washed down the canyon. It was here we had our traditional mid-hike refreshments, and a bit of rest and relaxation before heading back to the Tacoma.
On the way out, we explored FR 89, which goes further north from the intersection with FR 286. Tho’ a bit rough (high clearance recommended), we found ourselves among fruit trees, and at the end of the road. We drove past a quonset shelter filled with boxes used for transporting fruit, and found them labeled “Dixon Orchard”. Maybe this is the Dixon Orchard, popular over many years until the Conchas Fire wiped it out.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.95 miles Elevation: 6,600 start, 6,692 maximum, 6,470 minimum Gross gain: 222 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,127 ft, descending: 1,128 ft Maximum slope: 59% ascending, 66% descending, 11% average Duration: 2:44
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.
I’d found a hike at ASCHG that visited some Pueblo Ruins above Paliza Canyon and included a visit to Goblin Colony. Jay and I had visited the Colony in July a year ago, and Pat and I had recently hiked up Paliza Canyon to the Colony, so this was a revisit for both of us.
The Hike
Google Earth track of our hike to Paliza Canyon, with visits to Pueblo Ruins and the Goblin Colony, 9/11/2016.
The first 1.3 miles is mostly open, along a tw0-track that leads to a few strip mines in the area (we don’t know what mineral they were mining). Crossing one of the larger areas of disturbed earth, we ascended to the mesa on the east of Paliza Canyon, atop of which were the reported ruins (see the blue waypoints in the GoogleEarth snapshot above). At some point, we started to feel familiarity with the area, and soon realized we had visited the south end of the Mesa on our earlier visit to Goblin Colony.
Atop this mesa, we followed a two-track northward towards Ruins 1, and found it easily. On entering the area, we found two depressions that are typical of a Kiva in ruins like this. This is a large ruins: about 200′ in length, 60′ in width, and at the north end the rubble pile was maybe 15 feet tall. This must have been a large pueblo with multiple stories to have left such a large pile of rubble.
We continued on along the two-track, and looking left and right found other ruins (marked Ruins A and B, plus what would appear to be a one-room blockhouse marked with waypoint 003. Although we thought our Ruins B were the ASCHG Ruins 2, when I plotted our track and waypoints on GoogleEarth, it came to light that we did not visit Ruins 2.
Walking a bit further north we came upon a well-maintained Forest Road, so followed it back towards Goblin Colony. Using the track I had on the GPS, tho’ Jay was doubtful, I left the road and to our great surprise we were looking down upon Goblin Colony from a vantage point on earlier visits we didn’t think we could get to. The descent through the Goblins was truly amazing, a differend and interesting view as we passed through these hoodos – the many tens of Goblins.
Descending through the Colony, we sought out the same spot where we had our mid-hike coffee a year ago. then the hike back to the Tacoma was uneventful; the hike was another truly great one.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.95 miles
Elevation: 6,838 start, 7,748 maximum, 6,838 minimum
Gross gain: 810 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,296 ft, descending: 1,296 ft
Maximum slope: 31% ascending, 38% descending, 7% average
Duration: 4:11
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.
