It is great to get back on the trail after many months dealing with medical issues. Oak Flats is a perfect area – well used smooth trails, generally smooth and with easy and minimal elevation changes. Plus, it isn’t far from home, it is an open forest of oak and ponderosa pine trees, and we can have breakfast or brunch at one of our favorite places, Roots Farm Cafe in Tijeras.
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 Flats Group Campground complex,then turn to the left to follow the road around to the parking area and the Trailhead.
The Hike
Oak Flats “Easy Pickin” Loop Hike.Pat.2025-06-20
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We’ve done many hikes or walkabouts in Oak Flats over the years. I can’t add much to what I wrote for previous posts, so please check out this one in particular: Oak Flats Trails Walkabout – 08/04/2023
Statistics
Total Distance: 1.69 miles Elevation: start 7,694 ft, maximum 7,706 ft, minimum 7,644 ft Gross gain: 12 ft. Aggregate ascending 57 ft, descending 52 ft Maximum slope: 18% ascending, 15% descending, 4.3% average Duration: 1:11, Average Speed: 1.4 mph
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.
After nearly a year off-trail, this is our first return to hiking – a short one but a step in rehabilitation from back issues that severely limited my mobility. It was a good choice – a seldom used two-track (even surface) and with little elevation gain (‘tho with some ups-and-downs for the walking stride to get re-accustomed to sloped terrain). So I post this “sub-hike” more to document it as to share with others. If it peaked your curiosity, check out the Related Posts below for other forays into Rio Cebolla and references to it on other hikes in the vicinity.
The Drive In
To get to the trailhead drive west on NM 126 up over the high terrain and down to Fenton Lake. At the entrance to the lake turn to the right to remain on NM 126 and continue for about 3 miles. Then turn right on NM 314 towards the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery. Past the fish ponds the road becomes a bit rough, not so rough as previous posts described; medium clearance vehicle is recommended. ‘Tis about 1.5 miles to the Seven Springs Picnic Site (formerly Campground – camping not allowed now). There is a pit toilet and some picnic tables, plus plenty of parking.
The Hike
FR 314-Cebolla Canyon Hike.Pat.2025-06-13
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The Rio Cebolla is in a -beautiful canyon-. The trail follows a two-track used regularly by officers tending this “Red Chile Water”, a designation given by the NM Department of Game and Fish for streams receiving special attention. Their goal is the return of native fish, particularly Rio Grand Cutthroat trout, to New Mexico waters.
We hiked in 1.2 miles where the two-track cross to the east side of the Rio Cebolla. For this day, that was as much as I wished to go. During the hike, I recalled some great hikes in Cebolla Canyon and in the canyons that come down from the ridge to the east – Oat, Hay, and Pony.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.29 miles
Elevation: start 8,073 ft, maximum 8,165 ft, minimum 8,073 ft
Gross gain: 92 ft. Aggregate ascending 546 ft, descending 550 ft
Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 34% descending, 6% average
Duration: 1:37
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.
It’s been many months since we have been able to get out and about – we needed to begin a recovery from “cabin fever”. Friday evening, with a weekend of nice weather in the offing, spontaneously (no advance planning) we embarked Saturday on a Driveabout, choosing to explore a part of New Mexico that has long been on our bucket list: Valle Vidal.
The Drive In
From Albuquerque, Valle Vidal is a long drive:
Via Cimarron –
By way of I-25 to north of Springer, then west on NM 58 – 215 miles, 3 hours
Or by way of Santa Fe (I-25), Española (US 94/285), Taos (NM 68), and Eagle Nest (US 64) – 186 miles, 3.5 hours
Then 7 miles north on US 64, turn west on FR 1950, 43 miles to Valle Vidal on a very well maintained gravel road
Or via Costilla, 2 miles from the border with Colorado –
By way Santa Fe (I-25), Española (US 84/285), and Taos (NM 68) to Costilla (NM 522) – 178 miles, 3.2 hours
Then drive east on FR 1950, ten miles on a paved road followed by for 13 miles on gravel, both not-so-well maintained
And the drive to the Valle is still many miles from the highway.
We weren’t certain that the road through Valle Vidal, FR 1950, would be open for a DriveThru. Passing through Taos, a decision point, we called the Forest Service district office. We did not get a clear answer, ranging from “it is closed” (leaving us to guess if “it” was the road itself) or if there were only restrictions from leaving the road. We decided to go for it, but stay a night in Cimarron, putting the decision about a DriveThru until the next day.
We obtained a reservation for the night at the St James Hotel, a very good choice. We stayed in the Jesse James room, enjoyed a very nice supper in their dining room/bar, and … we weren’t bothered by ghosts (for which the Hotel has quite a reputation).
The next morning we decided to try the DriveThru, risking 1) not able to get into the National Forest at all, or .. 2) finding a gate closed before exiting the other end of FR 1950 dictating that we return to Cimarron. The conclusion – the road was open .. all the way.
The DriveThru
Valle Vidal Drivethru.Pat.2025-03-29
Notes: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line). Press <back> on your browser to return to the post.
From Cimarron we entered from the East, turning off of US 65 onto FR 1950 about 7 miles north of the town. The route starts out in open plains bounded by hills on both sides – a valley passing through a portion of Ted Turner’s Vermijo Ranch. At about 21 miles we entered into the National Forest.We find the openness of this scenery to be a favorite – grass across the valley, juniper and piñon trees on the hills. There are many side canyons that drew our curiosity (but one is not allowed to leave the road’s right-of-way).
Elevation increases gradually for some 25 miles as this valley becomes narrower. And as we drove west, snow capped mountains beyond began to appear, adding greatly to the scenery.The terrain was becoming more varied – taller hills, narrower canyons interspersed with large open areas, each one drawing an exclamation of Wow – open space. About 30 miles in the road began a serious climb from 8,000 feet to Windy Pass (10,000 feet elevation), with a couple of sections with sharp switchbacks. Along the way we checked out the two campgrounds: McCrystal and Cimarron (both closed until May).
Descending from Windy Pass, we entered into the north end of Valle Vidal. We didn’t have the time (or energy) to explore roads going south into the Valle itself. But looking over our shoulder … we would like to come back; given the distances, to make the most of the visit it would best be done as part of a camping trip.
Continuing the drive west was all downhill, through the narrow canyon of the Rio Costilla. Meandering from one side of the Rio to the other, we passed under some amazing rock formations, tall cliffs 100′ to 200′ above the road. And the rocks were in many colors, patterns, shapes – not a vista but interesting scenery themselves. (This got us thinking of getting a GoPro to better document these Driveabouts, and to share some of the scenery.)
Hindsight
So the DriveThru is 67 miles. Although the road is good (for a gravel road) it makes for a very long day. Especially true as we were constantly being ‘bombarded’ by new views of the scenery – grass valleys, hills, glimpses of snow-capped mountains, and amazing rock formations (particularly on the way out from Valle Vidal itself). We also came upon a pair of Elk and a .. turkey.
After that long day of driving, we opted to stay a second night on the road, booking a night at the Hacienda del Sol in Taos. This is a quite nice BnB with much history, the buildings dating back to 1804. In the 20th century, it was the home of Mabel Dodge Luhan and her husband who entertained many notable guests such as Georgia O’Keefe, Ansel Adams, and others. Our room was most comfortable, and … guests enjoy a quite nice breakfast.
The Forest Service restricts access to much of the Valle during various times of the year, particularly during the rutting season for Elk. There are also limitations on camping outside of the Campgrounds. Be advised to check their web site or call ahead for guidance
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.
It has been many months since I was last able to get out on a trail. Today we went only a short distance on the trail so I’m labeling this a Walk. But … it was .. a trail .., with a name – Monte Largo Trail. On the way, we went wandering about Tierra Grande, a very large, totally open, nearly absolutely flat expanse west of the Manzano Mountains and south of Albuquerque. A developer years ago laid out roads and plots of land for habitation – a few sites have houses, in most case miles from the next one.
The DriveAbout
Tierra Grande Driveabout and Monte Largo Trail Walk.Pat.2025-03-07
Our DriveAbout began about 14 miles southeast from Belen on NM 47. There we turned northeast onto Tierra Grande Loop, then left onto Military Highway, both well maintained sand-and-gravel roads.We used GAIA maps as a guide to explore this vast open expanse of …. almost nothing. The roads were mostly well maintained – graded sand/small gravel and many with ditches. Wishing to explore closer to the Manzanos, we turned right on Stable Drive, then left on Tango Road. We ignored a Dead End sign, but …. we had to turn around when we encountered a deep ravine across the road – not for the Tacoma.
Backtracking to Military Highway, we headed north setting our sights on the Monte Largo Trailhead. A turn right on Commerce Blvd, then a right onto Celaya Blvd took us to the trailhead, a large gravel parking lot with a break in the fence for the Monte Largo Trail.
The route out was to take Celaya around to a turn right onto Commerce Blvd, then left onto Progress Blvd. About a mile on, we turned right on an unnamed road, continued to Commerce Blvd, where we turned left to Military Highway. Then it was a right turn onto Military Hwy. About .6 mile from Commerce Blvd we encountered the largest drifts of tumbleweed ever seen; they blocked the road dictating that we skirt them to the right of the roadway – amazing. Than a bit further along Military Hwy ended, but on the left was a cattle guard that allowed us to get onto Trigo Springs Road. From there we turned left at the next intersection onto N Navajo Loop and a straight shot to Belen, arriving in time to have lunch at the Whistle Stop Cafe in the Belen Harvey House Museum (a great lunch and interesting museum).
Now that route is in some places quite convoluted. One could find more direct routes, with some better planning than we did, or with better mapping on-the-go. But we were exploring/wandering. And we’ll do some more in coming weeks.
The Walk
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
Having not hiked for 10 months, this for me was an exploratory excursion. For a month I’ve been walking up to 3 miles on the level, smooth Bosque Trails along the Rio Grande. But to be on a real trail with uneven surfaces, rocks, even ups-and-downs, would be “breaking new ground” and testing my endurance.
For the distance we walked, the trail was well used and easy to follow. The first quarter mile was a gentle slope among junipers above the bottom of the canyon on the south side. The trail then descended into the bottom and continued, again with gentle slope. We chose to stop this day at .6 mile; at that point the trail joined a two-track that shows on the GAIA map. So only 1.85 miles, but I felt quite comfortable being back on the trail, and looking forward to more hikes and miles in coming weeks/months; I plan to return here to go further on the Monte Largo Trail.
Highlight
We’ve seen nowhere else the variety of rocks in this canyon. It must be a special place for student geologists. Some had the appearance of lava, others petrified wood (‘tho not). There would be changes in colors – within one rock. We found small pieces of quartz, and a couple of -large- pieces. Some had swirls like they were kneaded during their formation, other striations. All another work of Mother Nature’s art.
Statistics
Total Distance: 1.85 miles
Elevation: start 6,251 ft, maximum 6,402 ft, minimum 6,251 ft
Gross gain: 151 ft. Aggregate ascending 246 ft, descending 246 ft
Maximum slope: 19% ascending, % 22descending, 7.1% average
Duration: , Average Speed: mph
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 3rd visit to the Cuba Badlands in the San Juan Basin, this to the Ceja Pelon the 4th badlands going west from Mesa de Cuba. Like the other recent hikes, this is the time of year to visit these Badlands, before the hot weather of summer arrives. And this is a return to Ceja Pelon, having hiked there back in 2018.
The San Juan Basin covers the northwest quarter of New Mexico and a portion of Colorado along the NM-CO border. There are -many- Badlands including the Ojito (near San Ysido), San Jose (north of Cuba), and going west Lybrook, Bisti/De-Na-Zin, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, and several others (see the map at American Southwest).
Plus these five south and west of Cuba: Mesa de Cuba, Mesa Chijuilla, Mesa Penistaja, Ceja Pelon, and Cejita Blanca Mesa.
A closeup map of the first 4 of the 5 Cuba Badlands.
The Drive In
From Albuquerque, take US 550 to Cuba, but -at the entrance- to the town turn left onto NM 197. Continue south along the east of the very large Mesa de Cuba (one of the badlands) – the scenery as one reaches the end of Mesa de Cuba is quite interesting. Continue for 9.2 miles from US 550 to where NM 197 takes a sharp turn to the left. Midway around this turn take the road to the right (known as Valle San Ysidro); it is a well used (and graded) dirt road.
Continue for 7.2 miles from NM 197, then turn right onto another graded dirt road (not as well maintained as Valle San Ysidro, but suitable for “city vehicles”). Continue for 1.3 miles, then turn left onto a two-track. About 200 yards on, you will encounter a wash with a very steep drop from the edge. This probably requires a high clearance vehicle, and best done with four-wheel drive since even when dry that sand can be soft. From there continue on for for three or four hundred yards, tell you come across a large open area that appears to have been a wellhead. We parked there for our hike into Ceja Pelon.
The Hike
Ceja Pelon Mesa Hike.Pat.2024-05-07
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We began our hike by going up small canyon and then turned left to go up over a ridge into another slightly larger canyon. From there we followed that canyon for about a third of a mile, then turned to the right and worked our way up to the top of the Mesa. Along the way it was hard to take a step without trading on petrified wood from small shards to pieces maybe three or four inches in size. And occasionally we would see a section of a tree trunk, petrified.
From there we walked along the edge of the Mesa for about 6/10 of a mile. We enjoyed a great view of a field of mounds of black capped with gray materials (later, up close, the materials appeared to be some sort of crumbly clay, with near vertical faces of pockmarked surface in many patterns). We also came across rocks of almost every color, from tan to red, some yellow (some of this moss or lichen) – all very interesting. Along the ridge we did come across two petrified tree trunks, partially buried in the sand.
As on our previous visit to Ceja Pelon, on the return we found some shade under a piñon tree and shelter from the furious winds that followed us on this hike. We returned to the Tacoma by a different route, one that did not have such a steep slope to descend.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.69 miles Elevation: start 6,945 ft, maximum 7,237 ft, minimum 6,945 ft Gross gain: 292 ft. Aggregate ascending 475 ft, descending 475 ft Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 23% descending, 5.8% average Duration: 4:11, Average Speed: 0.6 mph
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.
Weather continued to be perfect for visiting the openness of the San Juan Basin and the Badlands near Cuba, NM.
The San Juan Basin covers the northwest quarter of New Mexico and a portion of Colorado along the NM-CO border. There are -many- Badlands including the Ojito (near San Ysido), San Jose (north of Cuba), and going west Lybrook, Bisti/De-Na-Zin, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, and several others (see the map at American Southwest).
Plus these five south and west of Cuba: Mesa de Cuba, Mesa Chijuilla, Mesa Penistaja, Ceja Pelon, and Cejita Blanca Mesa.
A closeup map of the first 4 of the 5 Cuba Badlands.
The Drive In
From Albuquerque: I-25 to Bernallilo and US-550, then US 550 to the south edge of Cuba. At the edge of town turn left onto NM 197. Continue south along the large Mesa de Cuba on your right; NM 197 bends around to the west; at 5.6 miles, just past the top of a rise in the road, turn right onto a dirt road. Go around a depression (muddy after rain or snow), proceed for .6 miles. Approaching a nearly-washed crossing of an arroyo, we turned right onto a 2-track and proceeded .7 miles to our parking place. There are a few spots along this 2-track that suggest a high-clearance vehicle (we drive a Tacoma). But one could stop anywhere along this 2-track and walk from there towards very interesting territory.
The Hike
Mesa de Cuba Southwest Walkabout.Pat.2024-05-02
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We began our Walkabout by seeking a path up onto a ridge south of were we parked. Alighting from the Tacoma, we immediately came across interesting features – the light and dark gray mounds and rocks on pedestals. After a bit of reconnoitering, we found our way up the steeper slope to the top of the ridge.
From there we enjoyed a good view of the light and dark gray mounds between there and the open plains beyond. We explored this ridge top, considered going down among the mounts but … continued on looking for more interesting features.
Before descending, our view was punctuated by small rock monuments on the end of this ridge.
From there we explored the lower level of this area enjoying the wonderful weather, walking among the scattered juniper trees, and the views of the the mesa around us. We explored a couple of small canyons that penetrated the mesa. And the edges of the dark/light gray mounds have quite an interesting appearance and texture – erosion of the fragile material forming various patterns and shapes.
We came upon more upstanding rocks, sentinels in this fascinating geology.
And we came across a few spherical shaped rocks – what variety Mother Nature produces.
Highlight
Wherever we hike, even in what seems to be the driest setting, we come across more of Mother Nature’s glory – flowers in bloom, the sculpture of skeletons of juniper trees, and sagebrush and a healthy juniper tree forming a backdrop.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.06 miles
Elevation: start 6,963 ft, maximum 7,021 ft, minimum 6,948 ft
Gross gain: 73 ft. Aggregate ascending 424 ft, descending 424 ft
Maximum slope: 34% ascending, 43% descending, 6.5% average
Duration: 3:53, Average Speed: 0.5 mph
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.
This is the time of year to get out into the open plains, when the temperatures are moderate. After a driveabout the week before into the San Juan Badlands south and west of Cuba, we returned this week with sufficient time to walk among the varied geologic features of the west side of Mesa Penistaja.
The San Juan Basin covers the northwest quarter of New Mexico and a portion of Colorado along the NM-CO border. There are -many- Badlands including the Ojito (near San Ysido), San Jose (north of Cuba), and going west Lybrook, Bisti/De-Na-Zin, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, and several others (see the map at American Southwest).
Plus these five south and west of Cuba: Mesa de Cuba, Mesa Chijuilla, Mesa Penistaja, Ceja Pelon, and Cejita Blanca Mesa. A closeup map of the first 4 of the 5 Cuba Badlands.
The Drive In
US 550 to Cuba, but -at the entrance- to the town turn left onto NM 197. Continue south along the east of the very large Mesa de Cuba (one of the badlands) – the scenery as one reaches the end of Mesa de Cuba is quite interesting. Continue for 9.2 miles from US 550 to where NM 197 takes a sharp turn to the left. Midway around this turn take the road to the right (known as Valle San Ysidro); it is a well used (and graded) dirt road. Continue for 7.2 miles, then turn right onto another graded dirt road (not as well maintained as Valle San Ysidro, but suitable for “city vehicles); continue for 2.2 miles. For this walkabout we parked in an open area just beyond a cattle guard/fence line.
Side Note: On the way out after our walkabout, we explored other roads that go north from the main dirt road. We wanted to get more acquainted with the layout of these Badlands and routes to access the others (Mesa Chijuilla and Mesa de Cuba). We will return – as one can see on GoogleEarth check out the links below: “… Driveout” in the Statistics section and the Related Posts, there is much more to see.
The Hike
Mesa Penistaja West Walkabout.Pat.2024-04-18
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
Highlight
To see the geology, exposed as it in these Badlands, is most fascinating. There are the various colors and textures of the surface: charcoal black, gypsum-like white, browns, tans, some with a hint of red, even pockets of yellow. And there are so many interesting rocks – petrified wood in abundance, dark brown egg-shaped rocks (large globs that have cracked open), and then there is the petrified wood: small slivers, larger sections of a tree’s trunk, many colors and textures, and ….. There is so many interesting things on the ground that it takes a conscious effort to look up, to look around at the terrain let alone the views of mesas nearby.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.3 miles Elevation: 6,919 start ft, maximum 6,993 ft, minimum 6,914 ft Gross gain: 79 ft. Aggregate ascending 238 ft, descending 240 ft Maximum slope: 23% ascending, 25% descending, 3.3% average Duration: 3:13 , Average Speed: 0.8 mph
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.
With winter’s weather passing, ’tis time for us to get back on the trails. In the past couple of years, we’ve passed the Red Rocks Canyons in Jemez Pueblo. The Pueblo recently opened a trail into one of the canyons visitors; this would be a good start for this year’s hikes.
The Drive In
This may be the easiest trail to access in the Jemez: from Albuquerque west on US 550 to Ysidro. Then north on NM 4, 6.6 miles to the Walatowa Visitor Center. Purchase passes there ($12); the trail is across the highway from the Visitor Center.
The Hike
Jémez Pueblo Red Rock Trail Hike.Pat.2024-04-05
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The trailhead is on the east side of NM 4, through a u-shaped entrance.The trail is well marked the whole distance, a sandy surface throughout (except in the slot canyon) and little elevation gain. And the view into the canyon is impressive.Throughout the trail the rock faces and canyon walls present an amazing variety of shapes and patterns.The canyon wall appears to be impenetrable as we approached the slot canyon.In the slot canyon (enter at 7/10th mile), the trail is well marked here too (60+ foot canyon walls) but the surface is quite rocky.
At one mile (3/10th into the canyon), we encountered a 10 foot tall rock blocking the way further into the canyon – we chose to stop there.
On the return from the slot canyon the views towards the Visitors Center and the mountains beyond were beautiful.
Highlight
The views up to the entrance the slot canyon are varied: we enjoyed the views back towards the Visitor Center of the mesa and mountains beyond. The varied colors (predominantly red) and patterns on the rock faces are quite interesting. And in the slot canyon we found an amazing variety of rocks – red, black, even a purplish. It would be great to return with a geologist.
Statistics
Total Distance: 1.88 miles Elevation: start 5,614 ft, maximum 5,862 ft, minimum 5,614 ft Gross gain: 248 ft. Aggregate ascending 625 ft, descending 625 ft Maximum slope: 64% ascending, 62% descending, 10% average Duration: 1:38, Average Speed: 1.2 mph
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.
This is a post of our visit to Chicahuaxtla during our 5 week visit to Oaxaca. In company with José who we engaged as our guide into this Mixtec and Trique territory of northern Oaxaca. We started at this village where Pat would get an introduction into backstrap weaving.
The Drive In
After spending a day in Tlaxiaco, José engaged a taxi for the 1.5 hour trip (24 miles) to Chicahuaxtla. On a concrete highway, the road passes through valleys and hilly terrain, then at 15 miles climbs into more mountainous terrain, reaching Chicahuaxtla at 8,000 feet.
The Walkabout
San Andrés Chicahuaxtla Walkabout.PatJosé.2024-01-22.kml
Chicahuaxtla is situated on a ridge at 8,000 feet, overlooking surrounding valleys as low as 4,000 feet. It is a small village (population ~2,700) about half mile in size. After our arrival, we had time to stretch our legs and take a walkabout around the village. Late in the day, the views of the surrounding mountains and valleys were beautiful as we walked along the edge of the village, then up onto the hill overlooking the valleys to the west.
Statistics – The Walkabout
Total Distance: 0.8 miles Elevation: start 7,970 ft, maximum 8,048 ft, minimum 7,999 ft Gross gain: 49 ft. Aggregate ascending 186 ft, descending 183 ft Maximum slope: 21% ascending, 23% descending, 7.7% average Duration: 1:04, Average Speed: 0.7 mph
The Hike
San Andrés Chicahuaxtla Trail Hike.Arturo.2024-01-23
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue area).
Again this year I had the pleasure, and honor, of hiking with a local guide, in this case Arturo. Local guides know the area around their village, interesting hikes (usually to the top of a nearby mountain), and they are patient with my limited Spanish as we explore and learn each other’s language. Gracias, Arturo.
With José and Arturo, getting acquainted before breakfast.
I met Arturo at the village office to hike to the top of their nearby mountain, Cerro de Zarzamora. We hiked to the trailhead at the edge of Chicahuaxtla, along the way enjoying a magnificent view of the village and across one of the valleys to the mountains beyond. We soon turned into the forest, proceeding uphill on a two-track.
About a quarter of a mile on, Arturo left the two-track thinking we would find a shorter route and possibly a less steep trail. This quickly turned into some serious bushwhacking, so he changed course to rejoin the two-track. (In hindsight, looking at our track on GoogleEarth, we could have continued further into some open space and rejoined the two-track.)
From there it -was- a steeper climb – 400 feet in two-tenths of a mile. And it became even steeper; still hampered by my sore heel, I decided to not tackle the last 100 feet of elevation gain.We returned on the two-track, pausing again to take in a great view of Chicahuaxtla and the mountains beyond.
Statistics – The Hike
Total Distance: 2.43 miles Elevation: start 7,968 ft, maximum 8,730 ft, minimum 7,960 ft start 2,429 m, maximum 2,661 m, minimum 2.426 m Gross gain: 770 ft, Aggregate ascending 1,022 ft, descending 1,023 ft gain: 235 m, Aggregate ascending 312 m, descending 312 m Maximum slope: 58% ascending, 57% descending, 14.8% average Duration: 3:20, Average Speed: 0.7 mph, 1.2 km/h
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.
Highlights
As noted above, it is a great joy to hike with a guide who is from the local village. And while I was hiking, Pat was getting an introduction to the backstrap loom from one of the weavers in Chicahuaxtla. It has been her great interest in meeting indigenous weavers and learning from them that has let us into these small villages in the mountains of northern Oaxaca. Thanks, Pat.
This is a post of one of many hikes or walkabouts that Pat and I enjoyed during our visit to Oaxaca in January of 2024. This one was with friends of our guide José during our first visit to the small city of Tlaxiaco, about 3 hours by van-bus from Oaxaca de Juarez (Oaxaca city). This was our first stop on an eight-day trip to small villages in the Mixtec and Trique regions of northern Oaxaca.
The Drive In
The drive to this trail was from the outskirts of Tlaxiaco on a good road. The destination was a trail following a small stream from a small pool and waterfall, a favorite place for our friends to enjoy time in the forest.
The Hike
Tlaxiaco Trail Hike.PatJoséBelénSilEmilio.2024-01-22 The track on the return leg was foreshortened by GPS failure.
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The hike was a combination of well-used trail, some less-used trail, and a bit of hiking through open forest. It began with a visit to small waterfall pouring into a nice pool (sometimes used for a soak, ‘tho not warm water). From there we proceeded on a well used trail along the stream for a few hundred. With Beln leading, we turned uphill through an open forest on a sometimes vague trail.
Since I continued to be hampered by a sore foot, we turned back at 2/3rd of a mile, descending down the hill to return along the river.
Often the clown, José showed off one of his dance moves for Pat’s photo.Finishing up this short hike – Belén, Sil & Emilio, Pat, and José .
Highlight
Thanks to our hosts, Belén, Sil, and little Emilio, for sharing with us a place they often visit, to enjoy the stream, pool and waterfall, and “un paseo por el bosque”.
Statistics
(The GPS lost track on the return of this out-and-back hike. Statistics are extrapolated to complete the hike.) Total Distance: 1.35 miles Elevation: start 7,238 ft, maximum 7,362 ft, minimum 7,118 ft Gross gain: 134 ft. Aggregate ascending 134 ft, descending 118 ft Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 32% descending, 6.8% average Duration: 1:43, Average Speed: 0.8 mph
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.
