Gutierrez-Milne Open Space Loop, Tijeras NM, 4/23/18

The All Trails app describes this hike as "4.7-mile lightly trafficked loop that features beautiful wildflowers."  We saw none with the exception of this blooming cactus. Instead of being in its spring-like exuberance, nature looked subdued to say the least. 

We crossed many completely dry stream beds. Winter was dry and I suppose there was not enough snow pack to provide enough moisture for normal spring growth. Sad.

Hawk Watch Trail, Sandia Mountains, NM, Revisted, 4/8/18

This was not the best of weekends for us.  It started out great:  Drove to Espanola on Friday to meet friends for a guided tour of the Sikh Ashram and then strolled around a couple of slot canyons in Plaza Blanca. As we returned to our cars to drive to Ghost Ranch for a hiking weekend, my car would not start. It was almost 6 pm. No luck! The car could not be jump started and had to be towed all the way back the Albuquerque, close to an 120-mile trip.

So today, Sunday, we are on the trail. Instead of hiking one of the beautiful Ghost Ranch trails and spending time with friends, we revisited an old favorite. Hawk Watch International used to count hawks on their spring migratory trek from this location.  Now, only the occasional hiker makes the trek to the saddle.

Distance: ~ 4 miles, elevation: ~1600 ft.

Otero Canyon, Cibola National Forest, NM, 2/28/18

Instead of hiking with the Mountain Club, we decided to take off on our own. The trail head is reached by driving about 8 miles south of Tijeras on NM 337. Jim had hiked there with the Mountain Club and liked the area, with its large area of well-marked trails. 

In preparation for doing a loop, I had downloaded the map of the trail and surrounding trails from the All Trails app.  Although it took some searching we eventually were able to do a loop,

finishing in Otero Canyon and its unusual rock outcroppings.  Total distance: ~5.5 miles, elevation: 1,227 ft.

Domingo Baca Trail, Sandia Mountains, NM, 2/21/18

A NM Mountain Club Wednesday hike. No pics for this hike.  Forgot my phone :)
Hiked ~5.4 miles; 1,13ft elevation. Some snow and ice on trail.  Yak tracks came in handy. The very tricky turnoff from the stream bed to the trail heading to the TWA crash site is now very well marked and easy to follow.  We followed the stream bed up for about another 1/2 mile to a waterfall with no water.