This is a preliminary post of one of many hikes or walkabouts that Pat and I enjoyed during our visit to Oaxaca in January of 2024. I will publish a full reports when I return home in early February.
The Drive In
We visited this village, San Andrés Chicahuaxtla, during a 5 day tour through the Mixtec region of northern Oaxaca.
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 line).
José, our guide for the tour, introduced me to Arturo to be my guide for a hike up a mountain that overlooks the village. I was advised that the trail was quite steep, and it was.
On the way up, Arturo took a “shortcut”, that is bushwhacking. Because I was favoring a quite sore foot, we didn’t go all the way to the top. But along the way there were some great views down into the valleys and the villages.
I enjoyed tremendously the hike .. and the time that I spent with Arturo each learning more about the other’s language.
Highlight
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.43 miles Elevation: start 7,968 ft, maximum 8,462 ft, minimum 7,960 ft Gross gain: 502 ft. Aggregate ascending 565 ft, descending 565 ft Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 22% descending, 12% average Duration: 0:52, Average Speed: 1.1 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.
Related Posts
References and Resources
XXX’s Photos w/ Captions: Click on a Photo for Gallery Show.
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
Indian Creek Trail Hike.Pat.2023-11-09
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
‘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
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, 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
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.
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
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.
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
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 hike was near the end of a road trip through Kansas to visit my home town and cousins in eastern Kansas. After 8 days of driving and visiting, it was really good to get out on a trail. And a trail as beautiful as this one.
The Drive In
Not much to say here: drive to the summit of Monarch Pass on US Highway 50, 18 miles west of Poncha Springs, CO. Park in the very large parking area at the Visitor Center. The trailhead is 500 yards west (downhill) and across the highway.
The Hike
Old Monarch Pass Loop Trail-CDT North Hike.Pat.2023-08-28
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
Reading reviews on AllTrails, I found a discussion about taking the loop clockwise or counterclockwise. We recommend counterclockwise, as Pat observed the best views will be ahead of you, those during the early part of the hike.
The trail is quite well used which makes for an easy hike. Whether going clockwise or counterclockwise, the first 300 yards will be steep, steeper going counterclockwise for about 150 ft elevation gain. Gaining the top of the ascent the view to the north is spectacular – the -big- peaks of the Sawatch Range and the Presidential Range, some of them among Colorado’s “Fourteeners” (over 14,000 feet elevation at the summit).
Two thirds of a mile into the hike the trail rounds the end of the ridge above the highway and proceeds northwest, now on the north face of the ridge and through nice spruce and fir forest (although many of the fir are dead, having been killed by the bark beetle that infested these mountains some years back).
The “top end” of the loop is the Old Monarch Pass Summit, a dirt road and a sign to mark the spot. The trail then turns southeast then south back towards the highway. It passes through open and shaded sections, rounding the other end of the aforementioned ridge. It then descends down, not so steep, back to the road. And back at the trailhead, a signpost notes that this is part of the Continental Divide Trail (and we saw quite a few backpackers in the visitors center and a few seeking a ride to Poncha Springs).
Highlight
The views to the north, looking across the many high peaks of this central part of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.33 miles Elevation: start 11,308 ft, maximum 11,490 ft, minimum 11,233 ft Gross gain: 257 ft. Aggregate ascending 868 ft, descending 868 ft Maximum slope: 32% ascending, 30% descending, 7.8% average Duration: 2:39, Average Speed: 1.3 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 post is for a 2nd hike that we made with Jay, Nancy, and Bo during a camping trip to Cumbres Pass and the Trujillo Meadows campground (10,000 feet elevation and above). Check out the 1st hike, Red Lake Trail Hike – 07/11/2023.
The Drive In
Repeating here The Drive In from the post for the 1st hike:
We chose to avoid I-25 and US 84, both busy roadways, and instead chose a route through Cuba (I-25 to Bernalillo, then US 550). Four miles beyond Cuba we turned right on NM 96. Upon reaching the sharp right turn of NM 96, we turned left to continue north on NM 112. The first 27 miles is paved; from there to El Vado dam (19 miles) the road is well maintained gravel; we kicked up quite a plume of dust behind us at 35-45 MPH. Tho’ a sign warned us of the possibility of a delay of up to 2 hours, we took our chances – and won – no delay at the El Vado dam.
The road to cross El Vado dam is interesting. It is one lane down a very steep incline, then very narrow lane across the dam itself. We were OK with the R-Pod but would not attempt to cross here with anything larger. From there, NM 96 is paved to the intersection with US-84; then it was on to Chama. Borrowing the remainder of The Drive In from the post for last year’s trip:
“We drove from Albuquerque to Chama and continued on NM 17 up to the crest of Cumbres Pass (the highway becomes CO 17 as it passes into Colorado). For a good part of the way, Hwy 17 follows the tracks of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, aka Cumbres and Toltec Railroad to the crest where there is a small railyard.
Our campsite in Trujillo Meadows Campground. Atop a hill in the middle of the campground, we had great views in all directions.
Continuing past the crest for 1/4 mile, we turned left onto FR 118 (a good Class 3 road, tho’ there are some sections of serious washboard); in 2.5 miles turn right at the entrance to the campground. (Adjacent to the campground is Trujillo Meadows Reservoir. There are some sites that look down upon the reservoir and there is a road from the campground entrance to a boating ramp; we did not investigate either.) (We met Jay and Nancy in the same campsite that we used last year.)
The Red Lake trail is a bit further north on CO 17 — 6.4 miles from the turnoff to the Trujillo Meadows Campground. Turn left onto FR 113, a Class 3 road towards Red Lake — 3.5 miles. The road makes a sharp 180° turn to the left — parking is on the right up a short rise.”
The Hike
Cumbres Pass CDT Trail South Hike.PatJayNancyBo.2023-07-12
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
All of us agreed – this was among the most spectacular hikes that we’ve taken. I had hiked this trail in 2021 while Pat was attending a workshop in Chama. But I didn’t remember just how spectacular it is; Pat, Jay, and Nancy to brought it into focus for me.
The trail begins from the parking area on the right side of CO 17 at the top of Cumbres Pass, just below (west of) the Cumbres and Toltec train station. The trailhead is well marked and well used – smooth ground through pine and fir forest bordered by grass and many varieties of flowers. It presents easy ascent for about 200 feet of elevation gain (with switchbacks) to get atop a long ridge (about half a mile).
Along the ridge the views are amazing: to the west down the valley with the C&T tracks twisting their way to the top of Cumbres Pass, mountains in the distance to the north, and down the valley of Rio de los Piños and the railroad tracks.
The trail continues on the ridge for 8/10ths of a mile, descending 100 feet or so. It then enters a somewhat dense forest and begins to climb again, an easy ascent in and out of forest with a great overlook 2.2 miles into the hike. This was our plan for the day, 4+ miles – we turned back.
As we hiked along the ridge we kept our eyes on the railroad tracks. Our timing was good – the 10 o’clock train was on its way from Chama. We watched it stop at a water tank, then continue up to the station at Cumbres Pass. What a sight, especially as it rounded the steep end of a ridge on an embankment that must have been a marvel of engineering a 100+ years ago.
Highlight
It was unanimous – this is among the best trails we’ve hiked – easy with marvelous, spectacular views. And Bo is getting his trail legs.
Jay here: Yep, they don’t say Bo is a Westie for nothing. Terriers are diggers but so far, Bo just digs coming along on the trail. Views from this hike were much better than average for sure, and the train going up the valley was a bonus.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.54 Elevation: start 9,964 ft, maximum 10,342 ft, minimum 9,964 ft Gross gain: 378 ft. Aggregate ascending 997 ft, descending 995 ft Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 27% descending, 7.0% average Duration: 3:27, Average Speed: 1.3 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.
José, our guide for the tour, introduced me to Arturo to be my guide for a hike up a mountain that overlooks the village. I was advised that the trail was quite steep, and it was.
On the way up, Arturo took a “shortcut”, that is bushwhacking. Because I was favoring a quite sore foot, we didn’t go all the way to the top. But along the way there were some great views down into the valleys and the villages.
