Outings are normally free and open to non-members, although we do like it if you join the Club to increase our local and national clout.
Events can be also found on our event calendar, and many on the Chapter Meetup site. The Santa Fe Group outings are listed on their Meetup site. Remember that outings may be added or changed as the season progresses.
Sign-up using the link below each listing. This link will take you to the calendar event listing with more information and registration.
We look forward to seeing you outside! We have quite a varied offering this Spring.
Congratulations to Antoinette Reyes in the Southern Group! Antoinette led a hike at Lucero Canyon to see some petroglyphs and fossils near Las Cruces in February and is now a certified Level 1 outings leader. Her hike was mentored by Holly Thomas and Debbie Bryant, and she achieved a great turnout. If you are interested in joining the next outing in the Las Cruces area, contact her at Antoinette.Reyes@sierraclub.org.
ICO (Inspiring Connections Outdoors) — We will be scheduling an Introductory Session soon in Santa Fe to encourage volunteers for hikes with youth. We want to encourage those in the Santa Fe/ Albuquerque area to sign up because if we don’t engage youth, we will have a harder time to persuade them to be environmentally friendly as adults. Please keep an eye on the web pages mentioned above. This is a great, fun way to give back and doesn’t require a large time investment. If you have questions, please email newmexicoico@gmail.com
April 2025
Saturday, April 5: Fort Stanton Historic Site – Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA),10 a.m-12 p.m. Join us for a leisurely hike on the grounds of the Ft. Stanton Historic Site in Lincoln County, famous for Smokey the Bear and Billy the Kid. Surrounded by the Snowy River NCA, we’ll discuss the cave system and its background. There are over 73 miles of sustainable trails that wind through open meadows of juniper and piñon. There will be great views of the Sacramento, Capitan and Vera Cruz mountains. We’ll also discuss the historic background of this intact frontier fort. The trail length is approximately 3 miles and is a loop with a minimal elevation gain of 100′. Limit to 8 people and no dogs.
Trip Leader: John Pijawka
Level: Easy
Location: Fort Stanton (north of Ruidoso)
Sign up for this event before April 1
Saturday, April 12-13: Introduction to Backpacking — Overnighter. This is the perfect outing for those who have never backpacked before and would like to give it a try in a low-risk environment, accompanied by experienced mentors. We will meet at the trailhead and backpack roughly 3 1/2 miles into the backcountry, set up camp and explore the area, where there are petroglyphs and slot canyons. In the evening, we’ll enjoy the stars and learn about backcountry safety. On Sunday, we’ll continue until mid-morning then depart. Participants should be in good physical condition, be able to hike at least six miles while carrying up to 20 percent of their body weight, and climb 500 vertical feet over uneven terrain. This outing is appropriate for children 14 years of age and up when accompanied by parent/legal guardian. It will include a service component, such as light trail maintenance. This outing is sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and is open to veterans, active duty and civilians alike.
Trip Leader: Terry Owen
Level: Moderate if you are at a reasonable level of fitness
Location: San Ysidro
Sign up for this event before April 8
Sunday, April 13: Earth Day Festival. 10am-4pm. Join us as we celebrate and work to protect the Earth! The global theme for Earth Day 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet.” It is a call to action for all of us to embrace renewable energy and make a lasting impact on our planet’s future. We’ll continue making Earth Day a way to deeply engage with our climate solutions — from insulating your home to installing solar to purchasing an EV.
Location: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park
More information
Bike ride to Earth Day Festival
Earth Day Energy Guides and Experts
Saturday, April 19: Inclusive / Accessible Mindful Birding: Sit & optional walk, 8:30-10:30 a.m. If you are new to birding, a disabled birder, seasoned birder, or just want to enjoy a nice morning in the Mesilla Valley State Park, you are welcome. Your guide – Holly loves exploring and sharing two of her greatest passions: birding and mindfulness practices. She says directing attention to the present moment with kindness and without judgment can lead to well-being. Quick IDs won’t be the focus of this outing. This part of the park has brick pavers and a network of crushed gravel/sand paths that weave throughout the area. We’ll spend up to 45 minutes here, where there usually are a variety of birds. After, we will have a short time to share any reflections. If you’d like to continue with an optional walk, we will explore. Trails are a mix of crushed gravel and sand that is firmly packed, but both have some sections that are sandier and softer. We will take a pace that accommodates the slowest person and allows for frequent pauses and time for noticing and reflection. Both trails have several benches along the way.
Trip Leader: Holly Thomas
Level: Easy/ Accessible
Location: Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park Las Cruces
Parking: Two ADA van-accessible spots available, parking lot is crushed/packed sand/gravel mix
Sign up for this event
Saturday, April 23: “Fire and Water”, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. We’ll be exploring the South Fork area of the Lincoln National Forest close to the South Fork Campground and the South Fork Trail No.19. We’ll discuss the federal seasonal public water system of the campground and its requirements of the EPA Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Along Trail 19 we’ll discuss the original Bonito pipeline history. The pipeline is on the National Register of Historic Sites. We will hike to the White Mountain Wilderness boundary, skirting Rio Bonito along the way with several stream crossings. Also, we’ll visit Bonito Lake. We’ll be doing some short off trail hiking, so sturdy boots and hiking poles are strongly recommended. This will be an all-day event, so bring lunch/snack/water. Elevation is a moderate 250 feet with roughly 4.5 miles of hiking with stops as needed. Limit to six people and no dogs. Deadline for registering is April 23.
Trip Leader: John Pijawka, 575-937-7422 jastro@windstream.net
Level: Easy
Location: Lincoln National Forest (east of Alamogordo)
Sign up for this event before April 23
May 2025
Saturday, May 3: Early Migrating Birds Along the Animas River in Farmington, 8-11 a.m. This trip is about three miles round trip along trails on flat terrain. Leisurely pace. We will compare resident birds with early migrants passing through. Eighteen year-olds and up only. No dogs please. Limit of 10 people.
Trip Leader: Mike Foster
Level: Easy
Location: Riverside Nature Center, Farmington
Sign up for this event before April 30
Wednesday, May 14: Zero Waste Tour of the Rio Grande Soil Amendment Facility, 10-11:30 a.m. Come see how biosolids from the Wastewater Treatment Plant are blended with other components and turned into compost. We will be able to see the large Scarab machine turn the windrows inside out to aerate them.
Trip Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Sign up for this event before May 12
Thursday – Saturday, May 22-24: Rio Grande Del Norte – Wild Rivers Service Trip, 9 a.m -12 p.m. This is a continuation of work done by club volunteers last year at the El Aguaje group camp, working on the Rinconada Trail at Wild Rivers. It’s possible to see bighorn sheep and to fit in a hike to the river (warning: strenuous/steep). This is also a great place to ride a bike. We will meet Thursday afternoon and eat dinner and talk. Friday we will start at 9 a.m. after a short walk to the trailhead, and we plan to work till 4 p.m. if possible. Saturday may include a group hike as well as packing up. Tools will be provided by the BLM. Bring work gloves, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, a hat, and a water bottle. Water is available at our campsite.
Trip Leader: John Buchser
Level: Strenuous
Location: Wild Rivers Recreation Area, North of Taos
Sign up for this event
June 2025
Saturday, June 7: Late Migrating and Early Summer Birds Along the Animas River in Farmington, 8-11 a.m. We will start at the Riverside Nature Center in Farmington NM, and enjoy an easy birdwatching stroll along the river. This is about a three-mile round trip along trails on flat terrain. Leisurely pace. This should be the peak time for migrants. Eighteen year-olds and up only. No dogs please. Limit of 10 people.
Trip Leader: Mike Foster
Level: Easy
Location: Riverside Nature Center, Farmington
Sign up for this event before June 4
Saturday 14: Member Appreciation Picnic. Calling all Sierra Club members and friends for our Third Annual Member Appreciation Picnic. 10:30 AM to 3 PM, Capulin Spring Picnic Site in the Cibola National Forest-Sandia Mountains. Potluck.
Location: Capulin Spring Picnic Site in the Cibola National Forest-Sandia Mountains
Forest Service map
Sign up for this event before June 12
Thursday, June 19: Zero Waste Tour of the Cerro Colorado Landfill. What we’ve been waiting for! We will meet in the conference room at the main office for an orientation on the operation of the landfill and to ask questions. Then we will go on a tour of the landfill in their van. Limit is 10 people.
Trip Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Sign up for this event before June 16
Save the date!
Saturday-Sunday September 13-14: Wilderness First Aid Course. The SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course is a certified, instructor-led two-day first aid course that provides training for anyone who spends time hiking, skiing, etc. Students will have ample opportunity to practice skills in life-like situations, both as patients and caregivers. Attendees must take part in all portions and hours of the course to obtain certification.
Why attend?: People get hurt, sick, or lost. Then the temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? If you’re ever more than an hour away from a hospital or one mile from any road, you need to have these skills. Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse.
Price: $200 per person. (Participants must commit to attending both days).
Class times: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Register to be placed on the class list. Payment instructions will be sent in mid-July to hold your seat.
Class Coordinator: Debbie Bryant
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque area
Sign up for this event
Featured image at top: Sevilleta Hike by Diane Reese