Pino and Cienega Trails,

“Started at Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, 1000. 25# pack with two cameras, two zoom lenses, ten essentials and plenty of water.

Pino Trail to Crest Trail 1000-1300 hrs
6,500-9200 ft
Map-Pino Trail from Elena Gallegos Picnic Ground to South Crest Trail

A heart pounding (or heart stopping) climb starting in high desert grassland, and climbs through juniper/cholla/grassland, pinon, pondersa pine mixed with douglas fir and finally into fir and spruce forests. From bottom to top there are frequent oak groves and the day is filled with butterflies. Everywhere, swarming. All varieties in huge numbers. I find the spring and it is little, but flowing and looks like a dependably water source. A few others are on the trail, too. After a little passing and leapfrog, the steep climb has us evenly paced. Finally to the top and the intersection with the South Crest Trail and Cienega Trail. Its only 1300. Cool, breezy and open with views to the east and west.



Cieniga Trail almost to Cieniga Spring and Wilderness Boundry 1300-1330

Map-Cienega Trail
I was curious if I could get to water by going down Cienega Trail towards the intermittent stream and Cienega Spring. It was steep, but a beautiful trail. I drop down 1,200 feet in lush green undergrowth, still millions of butterflies and moths, now limestone instead of the red and gray granite of the west face. Fir and spruce forests with occassional dense oak groves. I see only one person in 30 minutes down. I have to turn around even though I am close to the wilderness boundry and haven't found water yet. I had plenty, but I was thinking about a future overnight trip . I got very close, so it shouldn't be a problem. Along the way I stop for a snack. It's 70-75F as apposed to 90+ below. A few clouds are forming, but nothing threatening.

Back up takes an hour. Why was I so stupid to keep going down the mountain, knowing I had to come back up. 1,200 ft back up. I climbed the west and part of the east face of the Sandias in one day. I'm dying, but I make it to the top.

Down-Pino Trail-A surprising 3 hours. My rear was dragging big time. My legs are dead and my dogs are killing me. It's in the low 90's at the bottom. I see a few people, two seeming to go to the top and one who decides not to when I tell him what it's like.

I know I can make it over the mountain and to water on the other side. Looking at the maps, there are a series of springs along the east face, as well as connecting trails.

The next day, I can't stand the suspense, so I drive to Cienega Picnic grounds and hike up towards the wilderness boundry. The Cienega Spring is the only water and is flowing great, above it nothing. I reached the wilderness boundry within a few minutes of the spring. It would be no problem coming down to it. Backtracking to the junction with Faulty Trail, I follow it north towards Well Spring. Within 5-10 minutes of Cienega Spring I find some places with good potential for tent spots. Soft pine needles, and relatively flat compared to most of the area. Anywhere between Cienega and Well Spring would do for a first night stop. The next step will be to explore farther north up Faulty Trail towards Well Spring and beyond.

Map-Faulty Trail North of Cienega


Pino and Cienega Trail Photos”