Tag Archives: Jay

Mitla & Matatlán Tour (Oaxaca) – 01/15/2018

June 18, 2018

This is another retro-post (June 2018), about one of the excursions during our visit to Oaxaca in Jan 2018. We engaged Eduardo, a great guide, for a visit to the villages of Mitla and Matatlán.

The Tour

Mitla, in the village of San Pablo Villa de Mitla, is an important archeological site and the Zapotec culture. We visited the ruins of the Zapotec village including the courtyards and mosaics, and the San Pablo Mitla Church. These are quite amazing for the architecture and structure as well as the patterns one sees in the mosaics. And … we visited the famous “El Tule” tree in the nearby town of Santa Maria del Tule.

We then headed for Matatlán, a village known for its production of Mezcal. Driving towards and into the village we saw numerous palenques (distilleries for mezcal) along the road. Eduardo had chosen the El Sabino palenque for our visit. We learned some about the processes that take the cooked fibers of the agave pino through fermentation, then distillation of the liquid from fermentation to produce their varieties of mezcal. They served us a very nice lunch, after which we were offered the chance to sample various styles of mezcal – and of course to purchase some to take with us.

Jay here: Having Eduardo (Lalo) for a guide made this a most interesting trip. He offered up many insights into what we were seeing. E.g. stones for the zapatecan and mixtecan constructions were recycled into the Spanish built churches; the red dye used for the murals and decorative treatments contained mercury, so it kept on poisoning the painters; the short steps and tall risers in the stadium like seating were meant to make people look down out of respect. All in all, a very informative trip.

Mitla Matatlan Tour.PatJay.2018-01-15 (KML)	127 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Mitla Matatlan Tour.PatJay.2018-01-15 (GPX)	69 Downloads
Mitla Matatlan DriveInOut 2.PatJay.2018-01-15 (KML)	70 Downloads
Mitla Matatlan DriveInOut 2.PatJay.2018-01-15 (GPX)	68 Downloads

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

Mitla:
Wikipedia: Mitla
TripAdvisor: Mitla

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

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

Three Gun Springs Hike – 02/15/2015

June 17, 2018

Another retro-post (June 2018), a hike with Jay in the Sandias back in 2015.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.89 miles
Elevation: start 6,325 ft, maximum 7,924 ft, minimum 6,325 ft
Gross gain: 1,599ft. Aggregate ascending 1,659 ft, descending 1,720 ft
Maximum slope: 46% ascending, 30% descending, 12% average
Duration: 3:24

Three Gun Springs Hike - 02/15/2015 (KML)	148 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Three Gun Springs Hike - 02/15/2015 (GPX)	273 Downloads

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

AllTrails: Three Gun Spring Trail
Sandia Hiking Guide: Three Gun Spring Trail
ASCHG: Embudo – Three Gun Springs – Embudito Hike
New Mexico Meanders: 2017-02-25 South Sandia Peak Look Hike

Tree Springs-Fossil Garden Hike – 06/10/2018

June 16, 2018

Seeking cooler territory without driving too far today, we headed for the East side of the Sandias and a shaded trail we’ve hiked back in 2014 and 2015 – Tree Springs – extended this time to visit the Fossil Garden (from ASCHG’s hike). After breakfast at the Placitas Cafe, we drove up NM 165 (Las Huertas Canyon) to NM 536 (Crest Highway), then left, -downhill- to the parking area for the Tree Springs Trail (#147). [Note: NM 165 in las Huertas Canyon is a -very rough- road. It is not a road to travel on in a ‘city car’. Without a high-clearance vehicle, one risks snagging a rock with some important part under the car. And it is so rough that vehicles not designed for such rough roads are likely to suffer damage or some form of ‘hurt’. So be advised!]

The Hike

Tree Spring-Fossil Garden Hike.Jay.2018-06-2018
(Ignore the snow on the GoogleEarth image. It was a warm summer day, in the 80s on the mountain.)

The trailhead is easy to find – it has it’s own parking area off of NM 536 (crowded on this Sunday morning). The trail presents a steady climb from the trailhead to the Sandia Crest Trail and a bit further to the edge of the top of the Sandia Mountains. It is shaded most all the way leaving few opportunities for horizon views; the surface is at times quite rocky, demanding concentration on the trail (easier since the absence of views avoids such distractions). Immediately after passing through a gate into the Wilderness Area, which is just beyond the intersection with the 10k Trail, the Crest Trail crosses Tree Springs – there are no signs for guidance.

We chose to continue up to the crest for the view across Albuquerque and the Rio Grande valley. Satisfying our appetite for the view, we descended and turned south onto the Crest Trail, continuing the 1 mile to the Fossil Garden. After getting adjusted to what these fossils look like, we found many different and interesting specimens (examples in the photos below). After our mid-hike break, we headed down to lower elevation (and warmer air).

Jay here: This hike brought back the memory of the last time we hiked this trail. That would be the time I forgot to put on my hiking boots so I had to make the hike wearing slip-on shoes (it takes almost 40 minutes to get up or down the dirt road portion of NM 165, so we were not going back for my boots). The almost continuous shade makes this an ideal summer hike…assuming you have the appropriate footwear.

I’m taking a photo of Jay, while he’s taking a selfie.

Statistics

Total Distance: 6.59 miles
Elevation: start 8,467 ft, maximum 9,499 ft, minimum 8,467 ft
Gross gain: 1,032 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,787 ft, descending 1,775 ft
Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 24% descending, 9% average
Duration: 4:31

Tree Spring-Fossil Bed DriveOut.Jay.2018-06-10 (KML)	120 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Tree Spring-Fossil Bed DriveOut.Jay.2018-06-10 (GPX)	62 Downloads
Tree Spring-Fossil Bed DriveOut.Jay.2018-06-10 (KML)	107 Downloads
Tree Spring-Fossil Bed DriveOut.Jay.2018-06-10 (GPX)	107 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

ASCHG: Tree Spring Trail to Fossil Garden Hike
AllTrails: Tree Spring Trail
SummitPost: Tree Springs Trail

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

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

Tree Springs Hike – 05/04/2014

June 16, 2018

A Retro-post, a hike from 2014, a trail that Jay had hiked a couple of times before. One of our early hikes, checking out trails on the east side of the Sandia Mountains.

The Hike

Tree Springs Hike.Jay.2014-05-04
(Ignore the snow on the GoogleEarth image.)

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.95 miles
Elevation: start 8,480 ft, maximum 9,502 ft, minimum 8,480 ft
Gross gain: 1,022 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,138 ft, descending 1,224 ft
Maximum slope: 28% ascending, 28% descending, 10% average
Duration: 3:04

Tree Springs Hike.Jay.2014-05-04 (KML)	172 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Tree Springs Hike.Jay.2014-05-04 (GPX)	81 Downloads

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

USDA Forest Service: Tree Spring Trailhead and Tree Spring Trail 147
ASCHG: Tree Spring Trail to Fossil Garden Hike
AllTrails:
Tree Spring Trail
Tree Spring to 10-K Trail
SummitPost: Tree Springs Trail
Trek Southwest: Tree Springs Trail – Sandia Mountains, New Mexico

La Luz Trail Hike – 05/06/2018

May 11, 2018

Revisiting the ‘famous’ La Luz trail. We hiked it 4 years ago but went a bit further this time.

The Hike

Highlights this day were:

Of course the views ..
- across the Rio Grande Valley and the city, and
- -up- to the heights of the northern Sandia Mountains, the Crest as well as other rugged formations on this west side of the mountain.
With guidance from another hiker (who has been hiking the Sandias for 40 years) a cave in a densely wooded, narrow canyon.

Jay here: This hike was a good reminder of what we like and don’t like about hiking in the Sandias, particularly as the weather gets warmer. So the good thing about it is the fantastic views. And the bad thing is that there’s no cover to speak of, so you can end up feeling like a candy bar in a wrapper on the dashboard of a hot car. The shady glade by the hard to find cave was the only relief from the heat.

Statistics

Total Distance: 7.08 miles
Elevation: start 7,022 ft, maximum 8,692 ft, minimum 7,022 ft
Gross gain: 1,670 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,104 ft, descending 2,104 ft
Maximum slope: 41% ascending, 40% descending, 10% average
Duration: 4:59

La Luz Hike.Jay.2018-05-06 (KML)	195 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
La Luz Hike.Jay.2018-05-06 (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.

References

USDA Forest Service: La Luz Trailhead and La Luz Trail 137
ASCHG: La Cueva – La Luz Scenic Loop Hike
Hiking Project: La Luz Trail
SummitPost.org: La Luz Trail
AllTrails: La Luz Trail
Wikipedia: La Luz Trail
Cloudhiking Mountains: Sandia Mountains – La Luz Trail
Backpacker: Albuquerque, NM: La Luz Trail
Backpacker’s Review: La Luz Trail – Cibola National Forest (8 miles)

Jay's Photos: Click Here for slide show.

George's Photos Click Here for slide show.

La Jara Arroyo Hike – 04/29/2018

May 10, 2018

On this hike we explored the south side of Bernalillito Mesa in the Ojito Wilderness, an area that we hadn’t visited before. I’ve labeled this a Wander rather than Hike – there aren’t any defined trails; the topography lends itself to just exploring. Like other parts of Ojito, the views are interesting, the geology varies greatly, and this time of year the early flowers are abloom.

The Hike

The first 1.25 miles of our wander allowed us to remain close to the bottom of the edge of Bernalillito Mesa. But then we faced a deep washed-out arroyo that we chose not to attempt crossing. So from there we wandered around the bottom of the “sub-mesa”, then back towards the mesa and a bit further for our mid-hike break. Along the way the geology changed continuously (rocks, outcrops, types of material); always great scenery near and far.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.87 miles
Elevation: start 5,847 ft, maximum 6,024 ft, minimum 5,825 ft
Gross gain: 199 ft. Aggregate ascending 507 ft, descending 508 ft
Maximum slope: 16% ascending, 21% descending, 4% average
Duration: 4:00

La Jara Arroyo Wander.Jay.2018-04-29 (KML)	129 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
La Jara Arroyo Wander.Jay.2018-04-29 (GPX)	178 Downloads

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

Hiking in New Mexico: Our hikes in the Ojito Wilderness Howdy, George Young
Descriptions, tracks, references, and photos

Jay's Photos: Click Here for slide show.

George's Photos: Click Here for slide show.

Mesa Penistaja Hike – 04/07/2018

April 15, 2018

We returned to Mesa Penistaja, having visited back in 2014. This is truly an amazing place – badlands (mesas and arroyos), large variety of landforms, and petrified wood everywhere. And the hoodoos, small and large, create in some places a stunning skyline.

The Hike

<span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> As I’ve done lately, I began by surveying the area via GoogleEarth and Topo maps. I sketched a track that appeared to be interesting and practical; download the sketch from the link below. In this instance, I chose a track that would take us into canyons that looked interesting, and up on mesas as well.

Our actual track began at a different starting point, initially parallel to the edge of a mesa. Then we struck across open places to join the sketch for some distance. Then, on the ground, we chose not to follow the sketch that would take us on a more strenuous track, but headed towards topography that looked interesting. All along we found petrified wood – big pieces, small pieces, even and area that I described as a Wood Chip Pile, where the ground was covered with small sherds of petrified wood. ‘Tis an amazing place.

The weather this day was cool, and –very– windy. Heading back towards the truck, since we had gradually ascended to the top of a mesa, we found that our descent was through a fairly steep, narrow, rocky crease in the edge of the mesa. It was a bit treacherous in any case, but with the strong winds maintaining balance was even more challenging. ‘Tho this is our second foray into Mesa Penistaja, there is much more to explore; we will back (but not during the hot days of summer).

Jay here: If you are a fan of petrified wood, you can’t do any better than Penistaja. From full size trees and stumps down to small slivers and pieces of bark, this is a wonderland. And the landscape is not only other worldly, it also can often appear like a lunar landing site for a space probe. Definitely worth the long drive and the rough dirt road access.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.05 miles
Elevation: start 6,950 ft, maximum 7,078 ft, minimum 6,930 ft
Gross gain: 148 ft. Aggregate ascending 551 ft, descending 551 ft
Maximum slope: 32% ascending, 20% descending, 4% average
Duration: 3:51

Mesa Penistaja Hike.Jay.2018-04-07 (KML)	142 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Mesa Penistaja Hike.Jay.2018-04-07 (GPX)	285 Downloads

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

New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout
The American Southwest:
   San Juan Basin Badlands
   Map of the San Juan Basin Badlands
     Penistaja Mesa
Photographs of Penistaja Mesa
Jim Caffrey Images Photo Blog: The Other Badlands
Pinterest: Penistaja Mesa

Jay's Photos:Click Here for gallery show.

George's Photos: Click Here for gallery show.

Mesa de Cuba West Hike – 03/25/2018

April 10, 2018

Back to the Cuba area, to explore a small mesa between Mesa de Cuba and Mesa Chijuilla. As I’ve done for other hikes recently, in the absence of a track someone has published, I began by exploring the area on Google Earth (GE), looking for interesting features (and terrain that is navigable). Then I sketched a proposed track for our hike; for this one I included an alternate, shorter track. I then loaded this sketch track into US Topo in my Android/GPS phone to use as a reference during the hike itself.

The Drive In

To get to our starting point for this hike, take US 550 west from Bernalillo to the southern outskirts of Cuba, left onto NM 197 for 5.5 miles, then right through an open gate onto a dirt road. At about 2 miles. At Y bear left for 1.1 miles, crossing cross Arroyo Chijuilla. Then turn a hard right up a two track for another mile or so. Choose your place to park and head east toward what I’m calling Mesa de Cuba West. We angled further northeast on another two-track, until we came to a locked gate, parked there, and embarked on our hike. (There are other two-tracks in the area, you can check them out on a Topo Map at https://www.listsofjohn.com/mapf?lat=35.9924&lon=-107.0114&z=14&t=u&l=lm&d=y).

The Hike

We had anticipated that our biggest challenge would be getting up onto (or down from) the mesa top. From GE and the Topo Maps, it seemed the west side would be most challenging, so we decided on a clockwise hike (based on the Sketch), starting on the west edge of the mesa. We headed north looking for a place where we might ascend. A quarter of mile on we spotted a cow/game path that appeared to head up through a break in the cliff (it happened to be the same place where my reconnoitering with GE and TOPO that suggested we could ascend). Those animals figure it out – we were able to get on top with relative ease.

The mesa top is sparsely forested and easy going. Impressive views, like so many in these parts, are all around – the other mesas, open spaces, the Nasciementos, and at times Cabezon. We opted to take the shortened track rather than climbing up to the central ridge of the Mesa; for a future hike. We continued along the line of the alternate path in the Sketch towards the northeast corner of the mesa, finding and following a nice (old) two-track which made an easy descent into Arroyo Chiluillita where we enjoyed our mid-hike break. Then it was a 2.25 mile trek around the south end of Mesa de Cuba West back to the truck. Along the way we crossed a few sometimes deep arroyos coming down from the mesa, later picking up a two-track that made the going easier.

Jay here: Long way back is what I remember most. That and some deep sandy segments that were like walking on a beach. Which is not to say I didn’t enjoy the hike…just that there were times that I had to remind myself why we were out there.

Statistics

Total Distance: 6.54 miles
Elevation: start 6,944 ft, maximum 7,344 ft, minimum 6,944 ft
Gross gain: 400 ft. Aggregate ascending 928 ft, descending 927 ft
Maximum slope: 33% ascending, 24% descending, 4.8% average
Duration: 3:59

Mesa de Cuba West.Sketch (KML)	214 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Mesa de Cuba West Drivein.Jay.2018-03-25 (GPX)	193 Downloads
Mesa de Cuba West Hike.Jay.2018-03-25 (KML)	353 Downloads
Mesa de Cuba West Drive out.Jay.2018-03-25 (GPX)	169 Downloads

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

New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout
The American Southwest: San Juan Basin Badlands
Map of the San Juan Basin Badlands
Jim Caffrey Images Photo Blog: The Other Badlands
AllTrails: Mesa Chijuilla

Jay's Photos:Click on a Photo to show Gallery.

George's Photos: Click on a Photo to show Gallery.

Penistaja Mesa Hike – 11/30/2014

April 8, 2018

I’m writing this in 2018, preparing to head out to Penistaja Mesa tomorrow.

We hiked here back in 2014. We were introduced to this area around Mesa de Cuba by an article in New Mexico Magazine, Badlands Walkabout. We visited the area earlier (Mesa de Cuba & Penistaja Driveabout), and wandered driving about roads but never got oriented well enough to settle on a hike. But it gave us perspective that we used to further research the area.

The Drive In

With help of the ASCHG hike (Mesa Penistaja Outer Loop Hike), we found our way to a place from which we could hike Penistaja Mesa.

The Hike

This is an amazing area; check out the references below. There is a large range of geologic formations: gray mounds, steep slopes up to the tops of the mesas, mesa cliffsides, and hoodoos. And always the amazing horizon with hoodoos on mesa promontories, Cabezon to the south, Mount Taylor and Chivato Mesa to the southwest, and the Nacimiento Mountains to the northeast. But best of all is the variety of rocks, including many pieces of petrified wood.

The “hiking” is very easy – relatively smooth surface and little elevation gain. We mostly wandered, following leads where the appeared to be something of interest. There is plenty to explore and see around Penistaja Mesa.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.70 miles
Elevation: start 6,975 ft, maximum 7,137 ft, minimum 6,937 ft
Gross gain: 170 ft. Aggregate ascending 536 ft, descending 536 ft
Maximum slope: 44% ascending, 41% descending, 5.0% average
Duration: 3:23

Mesa Penistaja Hike.Jay, 2014-11-30 (KML)	161 Downloads
GPS Track Files for Download
Mesa Penistaja Hike.Jay, 2014-11-30 (GPX)	253 Downloads

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

New Mexico Magazine: Badlands Walkabout
American Southwest:
Penistaja Mesa
Photographs of Penistaja Mesa
ASCHG: Mesa Penistaja Outer Loop Hike
Pinterest: Penistaja Mesa

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

Windmill-Hoodoo Pines Hike – 03/18/2018

April 3, 2018

It was still winter, the best time to hike in the open territory of the Ojito Wilderness; the weather becomes quite hot in summertime.

The Hike

For this day we set out from the end of the two-track in Marquez Wash that we usually use for the Mesita de Ricardo hikes, this time going to the east (rather than north) which takes one below the north face of Bernalillito Mesa. After inspecting the building and windmill at the parking place, we headed around the somewhat tall hill, then along the lower slope of the Mesa. The going was reasonably easy, easier when we found rock cairns marking a trail that we followed the remainder of the hike.

Always looking over us was the face of Bernalillito Mesa, with varying, interesting formations along the edge. We remembered that we had hiked out to the point of the Mesa (Bernalillito Mesa Top Hike – 12/11/2016) , and the deep crevices at the edge that defined large blocks that seemed to be ready to break off like calving icebergs (someday). Along the trail we found many quite interesting rock formations (check the photos below).

About 1.2 miles into the hike we rounded the point and headed south. Soon we began to see things that looked familiar. Sure enough, we realized that we had come to Hoodoo Pines, a destination for other hikes (Hoodoo Pines Hike – 01/03/2017 and Hoodoo Pines Hike – 12/17/2017). We also noticed that weather that had been bringing snow to the Naciemento Mountains to the northwest was spreading in our direction. It was time for our mid-hike break (fresh coffee and snacks). As the clouds to the west became darker, we beat a retreat to the truck. If any precipitation that fell on the 1 mile of two-track back to Pipeline Road, we would surely get stuck. It was a close call; we had snow flurries on our drive out.

Jay here: Perfect example of New Mexico weather changing rapidly and biting us in the butt. We just barely made it back to the truck when the snow squall hit. You can’t photograph snowfall (it melts in the lens, ha), but it was coming down hard as we left the trailhead. Within minutes we were out of this very localized squall and racing for the paved highway.

Statistics

Total Distance: 3.20 miles
Elevation: start 5,822 ft, maximum 5,958 ft, minimum 5,822 ft
Gross gain: 136 ft. Aggregate ascending 538 ft, descending 538 ft
Maximum slope: 22% ascending, 23% descending, 5.2% average
Duration: 2:17