April

Friday, April 17 to Saturday April 18: Chaco Canyon Camp, Hike and Bike. Camp at Gallo Campground in Chaco Canyon National Historic Park on Friday night. Leader has reserved Group Campsite #1. Enjoy the evening sky and meet new friends. Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Pueblo Alto trail head and hike to Pueblo Alto and New Alto ruins. This three-mile hike will cover steep, rocky terrain at the start and then climb gradually over 500 feet to the Chacoan sites above. We will stop for many photo ops and to view the interesting geology, plant life and spectacular vistas above the canyon. After lunch, the group will convene at the visitors’ center, mount bikes and ride the nine-mile Canyon Loop Drive and visit the major ruins such as Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl on the way.  This outing is appropriate for minors 16 or over accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No dogs. Due to the rough road conditions entering the park, a vehicle with adequate clearance is highly recommended. Participants planning on camping at Chaco should make reservations at Burro Campground by going to reservation.gov as soon as possible.  Those wishing to attend the Fracking Reality Tour on Sunday, April 19, must register for that outing separately and plan to camp for 2 nights and drive to Counselors Chapter House the next morning. A list of required gear will be sent to registrants on April 14. Register at the link provided no later thanApril 13. Contact the outings leader for further information. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and everyone is welcome.
Trip Leader: Hart Pierce, shpierce@q.com, (505) 320-1055
Level: Moderate
Location: Nageezi, NM
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Sunday, April 19: Fracking Reality Tour. Join Daniel Tso, Navajo Nation Council Delegate and long-time environmental justice advocate for communities impacted by fracking in the Greater Chaco Region, as we tour the sacred and culturally important Dine’ landscape threatened by oil and gas development.  Fracking wells are being drilled dangerously close to the Chaco Cultural National Historic Park as well as the homes of many Navajo residents. The tour will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Counselor Chapter House with a brief overview by Samuel Sage, Counselor Chapter Community Services Coordinator. That will be followed by a 4-hour tour of the critically impacted area. Register at the link provided no later than April 12th. A list of recommended gear and any updated information will be sent to all registrants on April 13. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and everyone is welcome.
Trip Leader: Hart Pierce, shpierce@q.com, (505) 320-1055
Level: Easy
Location: Counselor, NM
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Wednesday, April 22: Earth Day At 50 Celebration. 8:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The Rio Grande Chapter of Sierra Club, Realty One of New Mexico and Albuquerque Open Space will co-sponsor a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Join us from 8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. as we work together to beautify the Bosque. Then, enjoy an Earth friendly picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albuquerque Open Space Visitors Center at 6500 Coors Blvd NW. You can either bring your own food or purchase food from one of the onsite vendors. Sierra Club, Realty One and Albuquerque Open Space Division have a shared advocacy for the preservation and protection of our planet, our city and the Rio Grande and we need your help. Join over 150 others that share your love of the Albuquerque Open Space to pick up trash in the Bosque and along the Rio Grande. You can choose between ten different areas, stretching from Alameda Boulevard to Rio Bravo Boulevard. There will be prizes for most interesting and largest pieces of trash recovered, as well as some other surprises. The locations are shown on the Open Space website. Please register/sign-up no later than April 16.
Trip Leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Easy
Locations and map
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May

Saturday, May 2: Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Hike. The Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is a moonscape of hoodoos, balanced rocks, clay mounds that typify the Bisti region of New Mexico’s Northwest Plateau. This unique canyon concentrates these spectacular geological formations in an easily accessible canyon in which there are no trails or cairns by which to navigate. But, traversing the area is easily done. This hike will be approximately 3 miles and 250 feet of elevation gain. This is an opportunity for unforgettable photos of the landscape and vistas of this remarkable wilderness area. Registrants will rendezvous at the Step Back Inn in Aztec, NM, at 8:00 a.m. or those wishing to drive directly to the wilderness parking lot may meet the group at 9:30 a.m. Register at the link provided no later than April 29. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and everyone is welcome.
Trip Leader: Hart Pierce, shpierce@q.com, (505) 320-1055
Level: Easy
Location: Nageezi, NM
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Friday, May 15:  Las Conchas Trail Hike along the Jemez River East Fork. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Home Depot in Bernalillo, 7700 Highway 550 at the North West corner of the parking lot. Carpooling encouraged as there is limited parking at the trail head on Highway 4. Recommended carpool driver donation is $15. This five-hour long outing includes one hour of driving each way from departure point, along the lovely winding mountain Highway 4 with a photo stop at the Gilman tunnels and waterfall. Then we will lunch together after the hike at Los Ojos in Jemez Springs. This easy pine forest hike alongside the mountain stream is approximately 3 miles round trip with 50 feet of elevation gain. You can find this hike listed as a Bonus Hike on page 217 of the ”60 Hikes Within 60 Miles” 3rd edition, by David Ryan and Steven Ausherman. Join us for a dose of nature and camaraderie. Bring your own water, and wear outer layers as the mountain air may be chilly. This hike is appropriate for children over 12 accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No dogs. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and we welcome everyone. Register at the link provided no later than April 18.
Trip Leader: June Parsons, 832-723-4533, comicsilver@gmail.com
Trip Co-Leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Easy
Location: Jemez Mountains, North of Jemez Springs
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June

Saturday, Jun 6: Hike the San Pedro Parks Wilderness as it’s awakening from a long winter’s nap. San Pedro Parks is located northeast of Cuba, NM, and sits in the San Pedro Mountains, which lie at the northern end of the Jemez Mountain Range. The wilderness area is comprised of park lands, meadows, stands of mixed conifer, aspens, scrub oak, all at an average altitude of 10,000 ft. This gently rolling terrain has many narrow, meandering streams or “ritos” and wetlands that host native trout, deer, bear, elk, mountain lions, beaver, turkeys and other animals. Wild flowers often bloom in May and June in the many meadows and parks that are signature features of San Pedro Parks Wilderness. Early June hikers will avoid the thunder and lightning storms that typically roll through the Jemez Mountains in July and August. Our eight-mile hike will begin at the Las Vacas Trail head and go to its intersection with the Anastacio Trail and return. Hiking time will be approximately four hours. Four Corners participants will rendezvous at 7:30 a.m. at the Step Back Inn in Aztec and caravan to the trailhead. Those from the Albuquerque-Santa Fe area can meet the Four Corners group at 9:30 a.m. at the trailhead. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and everyone is welcome. Register at the link provided no later than June 1. Recommended gear list will be sent to all registrants on Tuesday, June 2.
Trip Leader: Hart Pierce, shpierce@q.com, (505) 320-1055
Level: Moderate
Location: North of Cuba, NM
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Saturday, June 20: Summer Solstice Hike. Start your summer with a hike in the John A. Milne & Gutierrez Canyon Open Space. Meet at 8 a.m. at Hobby Lobby on Juan Tabo to carpool or caravan, or at 8:30 a.m. at the trailhead. This two-hour long outing is approximately three miles round trip with 250 feet of elevation gain. Join us in this piñon-juniper covered canyon near Cedar Crest for a dose of nature, solitude and camaraderie. Appropriate for children over 12 accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Dogs on leash. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and we welcome everyone. Register at the link provided no later than June 17.
Trip leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Easy-Moderate
Location: East mountains Albuquerque
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