Northern New Mexico Hiking - Suggestions ?

“I'll be in the Los Alamos/Santa Fe area (1st time!) next week for work and will have next Saturday and half-Sunday to do what I want (and maybe some short, close hikes or runs in Los Alamos during the week). I was thinking of doing a couple of day hikes sat & sun, but could do a quick overnighter if I was out on Sunday around mid-day. Suggestions? The choices are overwhelming! =)”

“What distance do you look for when doing a day hike? I've got a book at home that I can check out for you if you want.”

“Bandelier!!!! You can do an hour, a day or an overnighter in the Bandelier Wilderness area, but check on water availability.

check out breakfast or lunch at Tesuque Valley Market in Tesuque if you are in the area at the right time.”

“The October 2001 issue of Backpacker magazine just arrived and on page 54 they suggest the Pecos Wilderness: Contact Carson National Forest, (505) 758-6200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson

The also suggested the Gila Wilderness, Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest, (505) 536-2250:
www.fs.fed.us/r3/gila”

“The Gila is a looonnngggg way from Los Alamos. The Pecos is closer, especially if you enter through Truchas or via the Windsor trail at the Santa Fe Ski Area. Bandelier is right smack dab next to Los Alamos, as are the Jemez mountains.”

“You prolly do not want to go any wher ther! New Texican is HOT! And ther aint NO WATTER no wher. Ther aint no aminals neither cept some horny hed aminal lopes and mebbe some lizerds.

If you are a crazy man and go any ways you prolly shold bring LOTS of watter. If you do not drink watter you will get a bad mouf and yer belly will get dry and you will be ded.

We rode byside Bannaleer, and it is perty montins I gess but we did not stop and get on our pakpaks cuz it was TO HOT!

I hope you have the goooood times any ways.”

“mountainchick-my day hikes are "anything goes" - sometimes an hour and a couple miles, sometimes all day and 15+ miles.. but generally about 5-10 is nice. Thanks for any suggestions.

Pathman and Phil-I'll definately check out Bandelier and Pecos.. I was already leaning toward Pecos.

Sarabelle-I'm in Phoenix now, and regularly hike and mtn. bike in 100+ weather.. so I'm not worried about the 75-degree temps and "dryness" of Northern NM!!! =)”

“goofy foot (or whatever)- Really?”

“Frijoles Canyon is the main public area and wheelchair accessible, but in the immediate area are numerous accessible cliff ruins. A short hike away is a large cliff house. The backcountry ruins are something like 12-14 miles in. I think we did a two nighter, and did find enough water, but had to carry a lot with us. This time of year should be spectacular. Warm days, pleasant nights. It was definitely cool in the Jemez Mtns. Labor Day weekend; Los Alamos should be the same.

Bandelier


You can enter the Pecos through Truchas, but the road was pretty rough out of Truchas. It's really a jeep road. But it is worth the trip. I was there in July 1982, the same summer I went to the Bandelier Backcountry. Here are some pics of the Truchas Peaks.

Truchas Peaks

It is amazing. You can hit all three of the Truchas Peaks in one day. We camped in the valley surrounded by the peaks and had freezing temps in July. I think we took one day getting in.”

“I was born and raised in "LA" (no one living on or near "The Hill" EVER thinks of Los Angeles when "LA" is mentioned!). If you're looking for an overnighter, I would suggest Peralta Canyon in the Jemez, but you'll need a vehicle with good clearance to get to the trailhead (or, at least, you used to need one - the way things are going, maybe it's been developed by now - but I doubt it). I hear they're opening up the Valle Grande for hiking as well - if so, DO IT!
As for Sarabelle, I applaud her efforts to dissuade interest in New Mexico, but I'm afraid the secret's gotten out. Oh well, I hope you have a great time anyway. By the way, be prepared for cold weather - I don't live in NM anymore, but I spoke to my mom this AM (she still lives in Los Alamos), and the temperature when she got up today (Sep 9th) at 7 AM was 34 degrees at her house. The Jemez are anywhere from 5 to 20 degrees colder than the townsite, depending on altitude (5 degrees F per thousand feet).

Have fun!”