Canyon Estates- Faulty Trails, Sandia Mountains, NM, 4/1/20

Covid-19 pandemic hike #3

Given the need for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, Jim and I set out for another Wednesday hike without  the company of the Mountain Club members. We selected a hike close to home on the south side of the Sandias from the 60 Hikes 60 Miles guidebook. 

Starting from the Canyon Estates trailhead at about 0.4 miles, we found the Travertine Falls.
The guide book describes the falls in spring as "a cool green oasis".  

A waterfall, New Mexico style, I call it. 

Over the thousands of years the probably much more abundant falls created these limestone and travertine grottos. We did not venture inside: a bear hibernation den, perhaps?

We followed the Crest trail for about two miles up to the intersection with the Upper Faulty trail (as well as the CCC trail leading to South Peak.)  Our intention was to follow the Upper Faulty trail for about 1.3 miles and then descend the steep and rocky Faulty trail for  about one mile back to the trailhead.  After tiring ourselves out with numerous switch backs on the Crest trail, we ambled about 1/2 mile on the Upper Faulty trail and re-traced our steps. Total distance: 5.2 miles, ~ 1,100 ft.    

Paliza Canyon Goblin Colony, Jemez Mountains, NM, 3/25/20 - revisited

Covid-19 pandemic hike #2

Off for our Wednesday hike, without the NM Mountain Club this time, since we are under governors' orders not to meet in groups during the coronavirus pandemic.  It took a ~1.5-mile detour to find the trailhead and then almost another two miles to get to the Goblin colony. Ended up having only about 1/2 hour to explore.  Total hike 5-6 miles with very little elevation. 

If you scroll back you will see that this hike is the very first entry of my hiking blog, logged on 2/1/2009. At the time, we explored the canyon with our friends Katy and Marlin on a cold and dark winter day. 

The guide book has the following description: "There are gargoyles, Cleopatra's needles, backs of Triceratops and Stegosaurus dinosaurs, tents, haystacks, exploded solidified bubbles and roller coaster rides." 

The Wild West it is!

Tome Hill, Berry's Path, Tome, NM, 3/23/20

First Covid-19 pandemic hike.

While it is Covid-19 pandemic time and we are practicing social distancing, hiking the vast open spaces of NM so far has not been discouraged. 

Tome Hill located on the Camino Real is not only a historic pilgrimage place preserving the culture of the Genizaros and Penitentes of New Mexico, but also an easily accessible hilltop with splendid 360 degree views of the Rio Grande valley, and the Sandia and Manzano mountains ranges.   

We started by exploring La Puerta del Sol at Tome Hill Park, a large steel sculpture, commemorating the various peoples that traveled the Camino Real for 400 years. 

We started the .5-mile of so rocky ascent (all of 400 ft with two switchback) from the South trail and walked down the much easier .6-mile West trail and then followed the dusty road back to Tome Hill Park.  All in all an almost 2-mile hike.

Snow shoe hike, Sandia Mountains, NM, 1/15/20

Nine of us joined the NM Mountain Club Wednesday snow shoe hike, traveling south east from the 10K trailhead and making a loop going north west and uphill to the 10K trail. After more plowing thru powdery snow mostly uphill, we reached the Ellis trailhead where we stopped for lunch. All in all we covered about 3 miles mostly uphill and breaking trail in the snow.  Hard work! Result: I was too busy trudging uphill to take pictures. 

Snow shoe hike, Sandias, NM, 1/8/20

Very first snow shoe hike of the year.  

NM Mountain Club Wednesday outing: 9 hikers, 4.5-mile loop  from the 10K trailhead up to the tram via Kiwanis meadow and back,  with ~800 feet elevation.

Above, group huddle for snow shoe first aid. 

Arrived at the tram lodge way to early for lunch so someone suggested we go look at "the faces."

After some searching and about 1/2 mile of backtracking, we found two of the three breaded faces. 

La Luz Trail, Sandia Mountains, NM, 1/1/20

New year's day leisurely stroll up la Laz trail.  

Hiked up about 2 miles.  Beautiful New Mexico bright and balmy afternoon.

Perfect activity to start 2020.

Rino District Art Walk, Denver, CO, 12/8/19

Two-hour Sunday morning guided street art tour in the Denver Rino district. 

Little did we know what to expect.... take a look and enjoy!