March 2020

Saturday, March 21: Geocaching with Inspiring Connections Outdoors. The New Mexico ICO program will join with Santa Fe Youth Shelters. We plan on doing geocaching at Cerrillos Hills State Park. We’re meeting at 8:45 and leaving at 9 a.m., and we should be back no later than 3:00. Since we are working with youth, all volunteers must fill out a volunteer application and sign the volunteer agreement and code of ethics, as well as fill out a form for a background check.
Trip leader: Raymond N. Greenwell, matrng@hofstra.edu
Level: Easy
Location: Santa Fe
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Saturday, March 28: Easy Bosque Hike. Meet at 9 a.m. for a short walk of approximately 1.5 miles to visit a successful Army Corps of Engineers bosque restoration site. This area was restored from 2010 to 2012 with thriving new cottonwoods, willows, and a variety of lower shrubs. Meet at intersection of Valley High SW and the irrigation ditch. Directions from Rio Bravo and Second Street SW, go south on Second Street 1.5 miles to the little street on the right, Valley High SW. Turn right and go to the end of the street, at the irrigation ditch. This is located about 10 minutes from downtown. For information, call, text, or write the trip leader.
Trip leader: Mark Rudd, 505-270-5449, mark@markrudd.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque, South Valley
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Saturday, March 28: Sand Canyon Trail-Trail of the Ancients National Monument Hike. Sponsored by Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Military Outdoors Program. Open to all! Trailhead location is 15 miles west of Cortez, CO on McElmo Creek Road (CR G). Trail head elevation 5400 feet. This 5-mile, 3-hour hike will travel over rocky, sandy trail through pinon-juniper ecosystem with an elevation gain of 400 feet. Trail passes several Ancestral Puebloan ruins, many of which are accessible. Spectacular geology and landscape. Bring cameras!  Detailed trail map available at grandcanyontrust.org/hikes/sandcanyontrail. Local carpool and caravan rendezvous at Step Back Inn, 123 West Aztec Boulevard, Aztec, NM, at 8 a.m. or meet at 10 a.m. at the trailhead. Participants must be able to walk one mile in 25 minutes or less. Children 14 and over allowed and must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Dogs allowed but must be leashed due to sharing trail with mountain bikers and hikers. RSVP to outings leader by Wednesday, March 25. Equipment list available upon registration.
Outings Leader: Hart Pierce 505-320-1055 shpierce@q.com
Level: Moderate
Location: West of Cortez, CO
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April 2020

Saturday, April 4:  Excursión-The Volcanoes Trail. Beautiful views of the valley, the city and the Sandia Mountains. The Pueblo people believe ‘… the volcanoes provide a direct spiritual connection to both their ancestors and to the Spirit World, the place where time began. Distance: 3.2 miles loop route; Elevation Gain: 374 feet in approximately three hours. There is no shade. To carpool, please be at Lowe’s Home Improvement at 8:45 a.m., SE side of the parking lot, 2001 12^th St NW, Albuquerque. Register at the link provided no later than April 2nd.
Trip leader: Cecilia, 505 243 7767 office, cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org
Level: Easy
Location: West of Albuquerque
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Tuesday, April 14: Zero Waste Tour to the Cerro Colorado Landfill. Meet at Southeast corner of Lowe’s parking lot at 12^th St. & I-40 no later than 9:30 a.m. to carpool or meet at the landfill administration bldg. at 18000 Cerro Colorado SW, at 10 a.m. After a short introduction we’ll take a guided van tour of the grounds. Limited to 15 people. Tour duration: 1.5 – 2 hours. Wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Safety gear will be provided. Register at the link provided no later than April 12^th.
Trip Leader: Laurie Zunner, 505-440-5337, lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
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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 2020

Saturday, May 2: Excursión-Piedra Lisa Trail #135 to Waterfall, Sandia Mountain Wilderness. Meet at 9 a.m. at the trailhead. Out and back trail that features a waterfall and offers great views. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. The group will decide how long we will hike. Distance: 3.5 miles; Elevation gain: 807 feet. Register at the link provided no later than April 30.
Trip leader: Cecilia 505-243-7767, cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org
Level: Moderate-Strenuous
Location: Albuquerque, NM-556 E/Tramway Rd NE, left onto Forest Service 333 Rd for 2.3 miles [AllTrails] Sign up

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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Saturday, May 16: Zero Waste Tour of The ReStore. Meet at the store at 4900 Menaul Blvd NE, at 10 a.m. This outing is limited to 12 people. This thrift store raises funds for building Habitat for Humanity homes here in Albuquerque. Come see all the home items and building supplies you can donate or buy, many of them new! Tour duration: 1.5 hours. Register at the link provided no later than May 14.
Trip leader: Laurie Zunner, 505-440-5337, lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
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Sunday, May 17, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Excursión-Armijo Trail. Lovely shaded area, a creek, great views and space. Parking fees, cash. No dogs please. To carpool or caravan please meet at 8:30 a.m. at Sprouts Farmers Market parking lot, 13150 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque or at the trailhead at 9:00 a.m. Distance: 4.5 miles; Elevation gain: 790 feet over three hours. Register at the link provided no later than May 15th.
Trip leader: Cecilia, 505 243 7767 office, cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org
Level: Moderate
Location: Cedar Crest area
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Saturday, May 30: Zero Waste Tour to Habitat for Humanity Home. Meet no later than 9:30 a.m. at southeast corner of Lowe’s parking lot at 12^th St. & I-40 to carpool or 10 a.m. at home site at 823 Mesa Del Rio St. NW. Come see how volunteers build low income homes here in Albuquerque. This tour is limited to 10 people and is expected to take approximately one hour. Wear long pants and closed toed shoes. Register at the link provided no later than May 28.
Trip leader: Laurie Zunner, 505-440-5337, lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
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June 2020

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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Wednesday, June 17: Zero Waste Tour to Soilutions. Meet no later than 9:30 a.m at SE corner of Lowe’s parking lot at 12^th St. & I40 to carpool. This is a must, unless you live in the south valley, as parking at the site is very limited. Tour starts at 10 a.m. at the site located at 9008 Bates Road SE and is expected to take two hours. This tour is limited to 20 participants. Come tour the only local compost producer certified for organic farms and gardens. Wear closed-toed shoes and weather appropriate clothes. Register at the link provided no later than June 12.
Trip leader: Laurie Zunner, 505-440-5337, lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: South Valley Albuquerque
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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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Saturday, June 27: A Summer Outing into the Bosque. Meet us at the sculpture garden parking lot just off the Montano Bridge at 8:30 a.m. for an approximately two-hour easy walk into our beautiful Bosque. The walk is leisurely, the paths are wide and level so we can take time to enjoy the Bosque. Part of the path will take us to the Rio Grande as well as past the Oxbow. Enjoy the beauty with us! Dress comfortably, bring water and snacks. Register at the link provided no later than June 24.
Level: Easy
Trip leaders: Margaret DeLong, mardel18@aol.com, Julie Hudson, jth@cybermesa.com
Location: Albuquerque
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Ojito hike photo by Gene Goldberg