September

Saturday, September 14: Mountain Hiking and Blissful Yoga, contact leader for location and we’ll meet at the trailhead at 10:00 a.m. If you’d like to explore the wonders of nature, hiking and outdoor yoga in the company of really nice people this is the hike! We’ll embark on an easy 2.5 mile hike that incorporates a one hour outdoor yoga and mindfulness break midway. Includes 200 feet of elevation gain and amazing views of the mountains. Sponsored by the Sierra Club Military Outdoors Program and everyone is welcome. Limited to 15 participants, and children over the age of 12 are welcome when accompanied by parent or guardian. To preserve the solitude of the occasion only certified service dogs meeting ADA guidance will be permitted. Contact leader no later than September 10th to RSVP and obtain location.
Trip Leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Easy
Location: East Mountains of Albuquerque
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Sunday, September 22: Autumnal Equinox Sunset hike at Tome Hill Open Space, Meet at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain View Community Center at 201 Prosperity Avenue SE to carpool. This three hour hike which includes drive time, is on steep, rocky trail to the crosses on Tomé Hill with an elevation gain of 360 feet in less than half a mile. The return trip is more gradual but still lose & rocky. Entire hike is only 2 miles. A headlamp or flashlight is required since this is a sunset hike. Join us at this popular pilgrimage open space area near Los Lunas for a therapeutic dose of spirituality and sunset beauty. This is the perfect way to recognize the Equinox. Bring writing materials for personal introspection, journaling or writing your gratitude list. This steep uphill hike is appropriate for youth 8 and up accompanied by an adult. No dogs allowed. Recommended carpool driver donation is $3. Contact leader no later than Sept 20th to RSVP.
Trip Leader: Carrie Ann Drinville, 505-369-9450 text messaging is best or email drinville@hotmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: South of Los Lunas, NM
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Sunday, September 22: Monuments to Main Street Hike, Picacho Peak. We will hike the Western Ridge trail to the top of Picacho Peak. At the top of Picacho Peak you will enjoy 360 degree views of the entire National Monument as well of views into Texas and Mexico. We will return via the original trail route.  3-4 miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain. Call trip leader for meeting time and place. Hike limited to 15 people.
Trip leader: Howie Dash, 575-652-7550 or howiedash@aol.com
Level: Moderate
Location: Las Cruces, NM

Saturday, September 28:  Monuments to Main Street Hike 2, Pine Tree Loop, Aguirre Springs. This is a beautiful hike in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.  Will hike the Pine Tree Loop Trail in the newly created Organ Needles Wilderness Area.  Spectacular views of the Organs Mountains and the Tularosa Basin to the east.  This is a moderate hike with elevation gain of 1000 feet.  Four and a half mile loop.  Day use fee required for Aguirre Springs.  Hike limited to 10 people. To RSVP call the trip leader.
Trip Leader: Howie Dash, 575-652-7550 or howiedash@aol.com
Level: Moderate
Location: Las Cruces, NM

Saturday, September 28: Calabacillas Arroyo bosque walk. The cottonwoods in our bosque are senescing, that is, they are old and dying. We are likely to see large die-offs of cottonwoods in the next 5-25 years, depending on water conditions in the river.  We’ll enjoy the bosque and see some magnificent cottonwoods, while at the same time learn about the fate of the cottonwood canopy, what we can expect in the bosque in the future, and what we might do to ensure that the bosque continues to be good habitat and a great place to enjoy nature in the middle of the city.  This walk is being offered in conjunction with the 516 Arts exhibit, Species in Peril Along the Rio Grande, and in keeping with that, it will include an art-related surprise!
Trip leader: richard.barish@gmail.com or 505-232-3013
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque bosque
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October

Friday, October 4:  Easy/moderate hike along the Las Conchas Trail in the Jemez Mountains. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the farthest NW area of the Home Depot parking lot at 7700 US Hwy 550, Rio Rancho, NM. Carpooling is recommended due to limited parking at the trailhead. Round trip hike is 2.5 miles with about 100 feet total elevation gain. Beautiful mountains in the pine forest along the trout-filled Jemez River. We will also pass through the hewn-through-the-mountain Gilman Tunnels on the way to Las Conchas. Trail is not handicap accessible. Cameras and binoculars are recommended. Dress in layers, bring water, snacks, and we encourage water resistance footwear. No dogs. No children under 12 years old. After the hike, we will return and have lunch at Los Ojos Restaurant in Jemez Springs, NM. Details, updates and sign-up for this Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter event at Meetup site. Sign-up and RSVP no later than October 1, 2019.
Trip Leader: June Parsons, comicsilver@gmail.com
Level: Easy/Moderate
Location: North of Jemez Springs, NM
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Saturday, October 5: Excursión Armijo and Faulty Trail. Meet at 8 a.m. at Sprouts parking lot 13150 Central Ave SE, ABQ 87123 at the corner of Tramway Blvd. NE, to carpool or caravan from there. Beautiful 5-hour hike in shaded forest, great views with an elevation gain 790 feet. There is a parking/amenity fee, please bring cash. Facebook: Excursiones a la Naturaleza de Nuevo Mexico
Trip leader: Cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org, cell 505 319 7556
Level: Moderate
Location: Cedar Crest, NM
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Saturday, October 12: Roberts Fire aftermath and interior San Mateo Mountains. Meet at Springtime Campground at 8:30 a.m. Participants from points north of Socorro are strongly advised to camp Friday night. Round trip 12 miles, 3,000-foot elevation gain over six hours. After a 2,250-foot ascent along good trail we’ll go off-trail to explore part of the burned area, assessing the extent of fuel removal and forest regenerative potential following this July lightning-caused fire. This outing is appropriate for children 15 years of age or older who are accompanied by parent or legal guardian. No dogs please. RSVP by October 8.
Trip leader: Jim Nelson, 575-854-2259, jcnelson@gilanet.com
Level: Strenuous
Location: Southwest of Socorro
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Wednesday, October 16: Zero Waste Tour to the Rio Grande Soil Amendment (composting) Facility on the West Mesa. 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. RSVP with trip leader no later than October 14.
Trip leader: Laurie Zunner (505) 440-5337 or lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque, NM
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Friday, October 18 to Saturday October 19: Easy-Moderate camp, hike and bike at Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Join the Sierra Club Military Outdoors Program to experience this center of Puebloan culture. We will begin meeting up at 4 p.m. Friday evening at Chaco Canyon to camp, enjoy the dark night sky and make new friends. Saturday at 8:45 a.m. we will meet at the Tsin Kletzin trailhead to hike the Tsin Kletzin trail. This three-hour hike will cover four and one half miles with 550 feet of elevation gain. After lunch, we will meet at 1:00 p.m. at the visitors center to bicycle the Canyon Loop Drive. This relatively flat ride covers nine miles and will include stops at many of the major Chacoan sites including Pueblo Bonito and Cheto Ketl. Participants may join any or all activities based upon availability and ability. This outing is appropriate for children over 14 years of age who are accompanied by parent or legal guardian. No dogs please. Due to road conditions into the park, a vehicle with adequate clearance is recommended. Refer to the Chaco Culture National Historic Park website for campsite information. Participants who plan on camping at Chaco should make campsite reservations as soon as possible due to limited space. Contact leaders no later than October 14th to RSVP, or sign-up via Meetup or Sierra Club Outings Calendar; provide the activities in which they will participate (camp, hike, bike); and obtain recommended gear list.
Trip leaders: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net; Hart Pierce, 505-320-1055, shpierce@q.com
Level: Easy-Moderate
Location: Nageezi, NM
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Friday, October 25, 2019: Hike of Otherworldly San Lorenzo Canyon.
We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Lowes parking lot at 2001 12th Street located one block north of I-40. This 2 hour long hike is 2.5 miles round trip with 150 feet total elevation gain. San Lorenzo canyon contains beautiful arches, slot canyons and other interesting geological formations. This is a great outing to bring cameras and binoculars. This outing is appropriate for children over 10 who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Round trip travel is 140 miles to the trailhead. Although there is vehicle parking space at the trailhead, the last two miles from I-25 to the trailhead itself is over a rutted dirt road, and best reached by 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle and carpooling may be necessary. Sign-up no later than October 20th.
Trip Leader: June Parsons, comicsilver@gmail.com and Terry Owen, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Easy/Moderate
Location: North of Socorro, NM
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Saturday, October 26: Climb up Cienega Spring Trail and Proceed Down Pino Canyon Trail. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Smith’s  parking lot situated at the intersection of Tramway and I-40. Elevation gain 1,660 feet, trip length 7 miles. A car will be left at the Elena Gallegos upper parking lot. You are invited to lunch-dinner at Odile’s and Jim’s house after the hike. Please RSVP in advance and provide your name and a phone number. Hike cancelled if it rains.
Trip leader: Odile De La Beaujardiere, Odile@pitot.org, (505) 433-4692
Level: Strenuous
Location: Albuquerque, Cibola National Forest
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Sunday October 27: Excursión: Copper, towards Ojo de las Sandias. Meet at 8 a.m. at 15000 Copper Ave NE, 87123, East of Tramway Blvd NE. We will hike as far as the group decides, approximately. 3 to 4 hours with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet. Facebook: Excursiones a la Naturaleza de Nuevo Mexico
Trip leader: Cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org, cell (505) 319-7556
Level: Moderate/Strenuous
Location: Albuquerque foothills
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November

Saturday, November 2: Autumn in  the  Bosque walk. Meet at the Sculpture Garden parking lot just south of  the Montaño Bridge, west side of the Rio Grande at 9 a.m.  This is a one and one half to two hour walk on a level path along the drain and past the Oxbow housing area.  Join us to celebrate our majestic cottonwoods and the change of seasons in our beautiful bosque. Bring hat, water, snacks and any other health and comfort items you may need. RSVP  with trip leader by October 31.
Trip leader:  Margaret DeLong,  mardel18@aol.com,  505-321-5931 and Julie Hudson, assistant
Level:  Easy
Location:  Albuquerque
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Saturday, November 2: The Park to Tool Box Spring, San Mateo Mountains.  Meet in Magdalena, NM at 8:30 a.m. This is a rare short route from East to West Red Canyons, with three curious features along the way. Nine-mile round trip with 1,900 feet elevation gain over approximately five hours. We’ll carpool to FR 478 which is moderately high-center, from NM 107 into the East San Mateo foothills and walk down into East Red Canyon and up over a ridge to the spring in upper West Red Canyon. As everywhere offroad in these mountains, the route is rich in solitude and amazing views. One dog, no children under 15 years of age. RSVP by October 28.
Trip leader: Jim Nelson, 575-854-2259, jcnelson@gilanet.com
Level: Moderate-Strenuous
Location: West of Socorro
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Sunday, November 3: Excursión, Michael M. Emery and Trail 305 Loop. Meet at 9 a.m. at High Desert St NE, 87111. From Tramway Blvd NE, turn right toward Spain Rd NE. It is a 3-mile loop with elevation gain of 334 feet . Dogs on leash are welcome. Facebook: Excursiones a la Naturaleza de Nuevo Mexico
Trip leader: Cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org, cell (505) 319-7556
Level: Easy
Location: Sandia East Foothills
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Saturday, November 9: Excursión: Embudito Canyon. Meet at 9 a.m. at Trailhead Rd NE. East on Montgomery Blvd NE, pass Tramway Blvd, left on Glenwood Hills Dr. NE, right on Trailhead Rd NE. We will hike as far as the group decides. Facebook: Excursiones a la Naturaleza de Nuevo Mexico
Trip leader: Cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org, cell (505) 319-7556
Level: Moderate
Location: Sandia Foothills
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Saturday, November 9: Elena Gallegos to Tram Loop Hike. Hikers can meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Albertson’s parking lot at the corner of Academy and Tramway to carpool to the Elena Gallegos picnic area or at 9:00 a.m. at the far Northeast corner parking area for the Pino Trail at Elena Gallegos picnic area. There is a fee of $2 cash, per vehicle on weekends. It is recommended that carpoolers contribute to the $2.00 fee. This three and one half to four hour hike which includes a rest stop at the tram, will be 6 miles roundtrip with 305 feet of elevation gain. The hiking pace will be approximately two miles per hour. This outing is appropriate for children over the age of 12 if they can maintain the hiking pace, and if accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Well-behaved dogs on leash at all times, are allowed. RSVP to the trip leader by November 6.
Trip leader: Diane Owens, (505) 917-0556
Level: Moderate
Location: Sandia East Foothills
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Tuesday, November 12: Zero Waste Tour to the South Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact trip leader to RSVP no later than November 10.
Trip leader: Laurie Zunner (505) 440-5337 or lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque, NM
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Saturday, November 16: Hudson Canyon scramble, San Mateo Mountains. Meet in Magdalena, NM at 8:30 a.m. After carpooling to Grassy Lookout, which overlooks the south San Mateo mountains, we’ll descend to Hudson Spring by trail. We’ll then scramble out of Hudson Canyon to the Northwest ending in Spring Canyon without the help of trails or winding, rocky 2-tracks. Round trip 4.5 miles, with elevation gain 1,800 feet over approximately 4 hours. One dog. Children 15 years of age or over with parent or legal guardian are permitted. RSVP by November 12.
Trip leader: Jim Nelson, 575-854-2259,  jcnelson@gilanet.com 
Level: Moderate
Location: West of Socorro
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Saturday, November 22: Excursión: Pino Trail. Meet 8 a.m. at Elena Gallegos Open Space at 7100 Tramway Blvd. NE, 87122. We will hike as far as the group decides for approximately 3 hours. $3 parking/amenity fee per vehicle, bring cash. Facebook: Facebook: Excursiones a la Naturaleza de Nuevo Mexico
Trip leader: Cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org, cell (505) 319-7556
Level: Moderate
Location: Sandia Foothills
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Friday, Nov 29: Black Friday Turkey Burner. Skip the mall and go to the mountains instead to burn off that holiday meal and get outside. Hosted by the Military Outdoors Program and we welcome everyone. Meet at the Sandia Crest House at the top of NM-536 at 10:00 a.m. This 4.25 mile hike will take you by the upper Tram, down to the La Luz trail junction and back up to the Crest house in under 3 hours. This high altitude outing includes 750 feet of elevation gain and stunning views of the city and surrounding area.Appropriate for children 12 years of age or older who are accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Dogs on leash are welcome. RSVP by November 27th or contact the leader for more information.
Trip leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Easy-Moderate
Location: East of Albuquerque
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December

Saturday, December 14: Old Road to Panky Mine, San Mateo Mountains. Meet at trailhead off FR 225 at 8:30 AM. Overnight camping recommended. From ABQ it’s a 2.5- to 3-h drive. The Panky was worked 85 years ago and reached by vehicles on a two-track, long since washed out, winding up three canyons. It can also be reached on foot via Indian Creek trail 48. Ours is an 11-mile round-trip walk with 1000′ elevation gain. The rugged Skeleton Ridge and its soaring rock battlements are our backdrop and the Panky, its stamp mill no longer shattering the silence but its vertical shaft still yawning alongside a rock outcrop, reposes with the remnants of the mine dwellings in the parklike middle Springtime Canyon.
Trip leader: Jim Nelson jcnelson@gilanet.com 575-854-2259
Level: Strenuous
Location: West of Socorro, NM
Sign up or call the leader no later than December 10th

Featured image by Aku