Please contact the leader for the outing meeting location and time.

July Outings

July 8-11: Strenuous four-day backpack trip in the Weminuche Wilderness in Southern Colorado. This loop trip starts and ends at the 30-mile campground near the Rio Grande Reservoir. We will start along the Weminuche Trail to the Weminuche Pass and then head west along the Skyline Trail to the intersection with the Continental Divide Trail. Our first camp will be near this intersection beneath the Rio Grande Pyramid and “The Window.” Over the next two days we will hike east along the Continental Divide Trail to Squaw Pass. On our final day, we will take the Squaw Creek Trail back to 30-mile campground. This is a high-altitude trip — all three camps will likely be about 12,000 feet and our max elevation will be 12,800-plus feet. Total distance about 40 miles. We will likely stay in a motel or camp the night before and after the trip. One or two dogs OK.
Leader: Larry, lorenz.hughes@gmail.com, 505-913-0589
Location: Southern Colorado

Saturday, July 9: Moderate hike on the Upper Rio En Medio trail. 7 a.m. start. Hike down the river, steep trail, very rocky, poles suggested. Gorgeous views on the return with waterfalls. 5-6 miles.
Leader: Marcia Skillman, marciaskillman@hotmail.com, 505-699-3008
Location: Santa Fe area

Saturday, July 9: Advanced moderate to strenuous hike to Jicarita Peak. Hike No. 46 from Day Hikes (7th edition). 11 miles roundtrip and 2,450-foot gain. Jicarita is on the wet east side of the Sangres, so bring rain gear. We will see a lot of ferns and mushrooms. We need to start early to avoid the storms, and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to get to the trailhead. Please bring a robust lunch, at least 2 liters of water, and consider having a bivouac kit. We will likely see a herd of mountain sheep that roam in the area. Some can stay behind at the saddle to Serpent Lake if desired, while the rest proceed above timberline. We are going in conjunction with SF Hiking Adventures and SF Hiking Meetup Groups.
Leader: Mark Dunham, medunham2@msn.com, 505-795-0199
Location: Santa Fe/Northern Pecos area

Sunday, July 10: Strenuous Latir wilderness hike or perhaps a Wheeler Peak, since Latir has so many bighorn sheep and elk. Out of courtesy to those animals and those who want pictures, I prefer no dogs.
Leader: Robert Reifel, 505-690-6109
Location: Santa Fe/Taos area

Tuesday, July 12, and weekly thereafter: Ascent to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. This is intended as a weekly burst of 90 minutes ascending 2,000 feet, with scenic rewards at the top. Some weeks we will just go to Deception Peak, sometimes to Lake Peak, and when time permits we may descend Ravens Ridge or Puerto Nambé and return via the Winsor Trail. Half-day trip. Most times we will be back in time for a late lunch.
Leader: Mark Dunham, medunham2@msn.com, (505) 795-0199
Location: Santa Fe area

Saturday, July 16: Easy hike early start Borrego Bear Wallow loop — short hike close to town, 4 miles, some steep sections.
Leader: Marcia Skillman, marciaskillman@hotmail.com, 505-699-3008
Location: Santa Fe area

Saturday, July 16: Moderate Aspen Ridge Loop, 7 miles RT & 1000’ gain.  This fun adventure will take participants along two rippling waterways,…first, up a trail along seldom seen riparian woodlands with numerous cascades and at least two waterfalls,…then down to the better known Rio on the North side of Aspen Ridge, to a gorgeous meadow, where will ascend an unmapped trail back over the ridge,…but before descending, we’ll have a nourishment break on top (with a unique view of Aspen Peak, Baldy, etc),…then reconnect with the first trail of tranquil water sounds.  There will be at least two water crossings (6-8 feet wide, a few inches deep)..  Hike departs 9:00 am, from behind Albertsons at Devargas. Joint with SF Hiking Meetup.
Leader: Mark Dunham, medunham2@msn.com, 505-795-0199.  Contact to confirm.
Location: Santa Fe area

Sunday, July 17: Moderate Hermit Peak hike (8 miles, 2,750 feet). My NM favorite, with its dramatic views and park-like top. Let’s find the Hermit’s cave too.
Leader: Alan Shapiro, nm5s@yahoo.com, 505-424-9242
Location: Santa Fe/Las Vegas area

Tuesday, July 19: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details, except 8 a.m. this week.

Tuesday, July 19: Evening/full-moon walk in the Corrales Bosque 7-9:30 p.m. We’ll check out the Corps’ restoration project at Romero Road to see how much it has grown in, and enjoy the crepuscular light and the (relative) cool of the evening in the Corrales Bosque. We’ll walk a bit at night, and, with luck, we’ll see, or at least hear, some Western screech owls. Bring a headlamp or flashlight, binoculars, and long sleeves and pants or repellant for any mosquitoes. RSVP required
Leader: Richard Barish, richard.barish@gmail.com or (505) 232-3013
Location: Albuquerque area

Saturday, July 23: Strenuous one-night backpack to Kit Carson Peak (14,194 feet) near Alamosa, Colo. In order to tame this legendary mountain a bit, we will drive up Saturday and walk in 6 miles, gaining 2,700 feet, to beautiful Willow Lake. Think light pack, not a massive scene, as we will eat an early dinner in Alamosa on the way up. After our bivouac at the Lake, we arise with a quick breakfast and proceed 2.8 miles and 2,500 more feet to the summit of Challenger Point. Some can stay there or at the lake if desired, but the game can then proceed another 1.4 miles and 1,000 feet of roundtrip elevation on the ledges that access the main summit. The route remains Class 3 or less the entire way, but affords scenery normally only seen by technical climbers, including the famous Prow. We will then descend to the car, find dinner in Crestone or Alamosa, and come home.
Leader: Mark Dunham, medunham2@msn.com, 505-795-0199
Location: Southern Colorado

Tuesday, July 26: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details.

Saturday, July 30: Strenuous hike up South Peak, go up on Embudito trail, reach Osso pass, and then continue up to South Peak. Return along same trail. Strenuous hike, 3,500 feet elevation. Finish outing with optional potluck.
Leader: Odile odile@pitot.org and call 505-433-4692 by July 28
Location: Albuquerque area

Sunday, July 31: Exploratory moderate hike to El Cielo Peak (about 8 miles, 2,200 feet), some off-trail, following the old Harvey trail north of Las Vegas, beautiful alpine meadow.
Leader: Alan Shapiro, nm5s@yahoo.com, 505-424-9242
Location: Santa Fe/Las Vegas area

August Outings

Tuesday, August 2: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details.

Saturday, August 6: Moderate hike to Nambé lake, early start up to our closest alpine lake.
Leader: Marcia Skillman, marciaskillman@hotmail.com, 505-699-3008
Location: Santa Fe area

Tuesday, August 9: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details.

Saturday, August 13: Summer Poetry Walk in the Bosque, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Summer is a good time to see the cottonwoods fully leafed out in all their lushness, but also to note which trees have lost branches due to the ongoing drought. We will hike a route similar to previous hikes, to note changes in vegetation and animal populations, while stopping occasionally to hear poems about summer. Moderate hike, 2 miles, wear a hat, bring water and sunscreen.
Leader: M.J. Zimmerman mjzim@hotmail.com, email to register
Location: Albuquerque area

Saturday, August 13: Santa Fe hike to be determined, 8:30 -10:30 a.m., location to be announced when you register.
Leader: M.J. Zimmerman, mjzim@hotmail.com, email for details and to register.
Location: Albuquerque/Santa Fe area

Tuesday, August 16: Strenuous Hidden Lakes Loop, over the top of Lake Peak, down via bushwhack through the back basin east of Nambe Lake, and back via the Winsor Trail.  2200’ gain, 10 miles RT, but requires comfort with off-trail for 3 miles of scree and deep forest.  Spectacular back country not often seen this close to Santa Fe.  The scenery is superb.  Joint with SF Hiking Meetup.
Leader: Mark Dunham, medunham2@msn.com, 505-795-0199.  Contact to confirm.
Location: Santa Fe area

Sunday, August 21: Moderate hike on the Piedra Lisa trail, 1,200 feet elevation. Finish outing with optional potluck. Meet at 10 a.m.
Leader: Odile, odile@pitot.org and call (505) 433-4692, by August 19.
Location: Albuquerque area

Tuesday, August 23: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details.

Saturday, August 27: Moderate near town, maybe Rio en Medio (6 miles, 1,500 feet), 2-3 dogs OK.
Leader: Tobin Oruch, tobin.oruch@yahoo.com, (505) 690-6253
Location: Santa Fe area

Saturday, August 27: Strenuous and mostly off-trail (possible third-class scrambling) hike to Lake Fork Peak in the Taos Ski Valley. About 8 miles and 4,500 feet of elevation gain. Early start. Two or three dogs OK.
Leader: Larry, lorenz.hughes@gmail.com, 505-913-0589
Location: Taos area

Saturday, August 27: Exploring your Bosque, 8-10 a.m. Colston Chandler will lead a hike that returns to a silvery-minnow project one year after its construction on the east side of the river just south of Paseo del Norte. We will see how well the Bosque has recovered from the construction and the concurrent huge tumbleweed problem. Last year, despite the construction, we saw coyotes and egrets, among other things. Bring: Good walking shoes, water, hat, sunscreen, binoculars if you want to bird, walking stick if you wish. Long sleeves recommended to protect from scratches and in the unlikely event of bugs.
Leader: Colton Chandler, ccent@swcp.com or (505) 343-9498. RSVP.
Location: Albuquerque area

Wednesday, August 31: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details.

September Outings

Saturday, September 3: Strenuous hike to La Vega with steep “Elevator Shaft” trail return. (12 miles/3,000 feet), 2-3 dogs OK.
Leader: Tobin Oruch, tobin.oruch@yahoo.com or (505) 690-6253
Location: Santa Fe area

ADDED:  Saturday, September 3: Rio Quemado Falls near Truchas.  Advanced Moderate– Good trail, 2000′ gain in 11 miles RT.  Must be time to get this favorite up again. The Rio Quemado is the only real day-hike access to the Truchas Peaks, and it drains the inner basin between North Truchas and Middle Truchas. Before you get there, this amazing waterfall is seen, and then if you go up the 400′ to the top, you enter an alpine cirque that competes with any in North America or Europe.  Mark Dunham,  medunham2@msn.com, (505) 795-0199  Santa Fe area.

Sunday, September 4: Tour the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument, Fillmore Canyon. We will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Parks with a series of hikes in the three national monuments surrounding Las Cruces. Our first will be a beautiful hike in Fillmore Canyon. View the Central Organ Mountains and a seasonal waterfall. Along the way we will take a short hike along the North Face of the La Cueva rock formations. Out-and-back hike is 3.5 miles on a well-maintained trail with 400-foot elevation gain.
Leader: call Howie Dash for meeting time and place. 575-652-7550 or howiedash@aol.com
Location: Las Cruces area

Sunday, September 4: Strenuous hike to spectacular Gold Hill Cancelled.  We’re very sorry, death in the family.

Saturday, September 10: Exploratory Rio Chama Redwall Canyon descent. Moved to Oct 8.

Saturday, September 10: Let’s talk cottonwood trees! Join us for a 1.5- to 2-hour walk in the Bosque. Meet at the Calabacillas Arroyo Picnic area and dig into the history and life cycle of our grand old cottonwood stands.
Leader: Peter Kelling, cloudsandwater@juno.com; RSVP for directions and further information.
Location: Albuquerque area

Saturday, September 10: Strenuous hike to either Trailriders Wall in Pecos or Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake.
Leader: Robert Reifel, 505-690-6109
Location: Pecos or Taos area

Sunday, September 11: Strenuous hike, Santa Fe to Cowles crossover hike. One group will start at the Santa Fe Ski Basin and hike to Cowles, and the other at Cowles, hiking to the ski basin; groups will exchange keys and cars at the beginning of the hike and will meet in the middle. 12 miles, 2,500 feet, limit of 10 hikers.
Leader: Daisy Levine; email tiadora1@gmail.com starting on August 28.
Location: Santa Fe/Pecos area

Sunday, September 11: Tour Paleozoic Trackways National Monument, Discovery Site: Step back in history 280 million years as we hike to the discovery site where pre-dinosaurs among others travelled when the Robledo Mountains were at the edge of the sea. We will explore an area where these ancient creatures left their fossilized footprints. This is a moderate hike of three to four miles.
Leader Howie Dash, 575-652-7550 or howiedash@aol.com;  RSVP for meeting time and place.
Location: Las Cruces area

Wednesday, Sept 14:  Heaven Hill Loop above Ski Basin. Joint hike with SF Hiking Meetup led by Z.  8:00 AM Meet Behind Albertson’s   Strenuous loop on Winsor, scramble up Lake Peak, back via ski basin. (Recurring hike) Ascent to the Alpine Meadows Above the Ski Basin. This is intended as a weekly burst of 90 minutes ascending 2,000 vertical feet, with a variety of scenic rewards at the top. Some weeks we will just go to Deception Peak, sometimes to Lake Peak, and when time permits we may descend Ravens Ridge or to Puerto Nambe and return via the Winsor Trail. This is by far the quickest route above timberline in our area, passing by rushing water for almost the entire hike. Take this half day trip to the Northern Rockies for fun, and/or get in shape for longer climbs! 0830 AM Departure from De Vargas Mall, meet behind Albertsons (West side). Most times we will be back in time for a late lunch, which may happen too. Leader: Mark Dunham,  medunham2@msn.com, (505) 795-0199  Santa Fe area.  Note: This is a test of a new Sierra Club Meetup hike procedure: RSVPs open. However please still contact the leader, as he will decline RSVP for those who have not contacted him, if he does not know them and their abilities.

Saturday, September 17: Very strenuous hike to Redondo Peak. We will take the standard route to Santa Fe Baldy and then head North off-trail along the ridge-line to Redondo Peak. About 17 miles and 5,000-foot-plus elevation gain. Early start. Two or three dogs OK.
Leader: Larry, lorenz.hughes@gmail.com, (505) 913-0589
Location: Santa Fe area

Saturday, September 17: Easy hike in Bear Canyon:  now Oct 22.

Saturday, September 17: Bosque By Wheelchair. The purpose of this outing is to enjoy the trail but is also to see how well it works for people who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices (walkers, canes, etc.) and make recommendations to agencies on how they can improve and properly care for these trails. All are welcome. Bring:  Good shoes and wheels, walkers, cruches, canes, etc. water, hat, sunscreen, snack. Bachechi Open Space, 10am-noon.
Contact: RSVP to Colston Chandler (505-343-9498 or ccent@swcp.com).
Location: Albuquerque area

Sunday, September 18:  Moderate hike along the Rio Medio Trail 155 starting at Borrego Mesa Campground, toward Brazos cabin site, about 8 – 10 miles RT.  Over the past two summers, a crew of former smokejumpers and others have cleared all the fallen trees.  Come join Ken Collins, who was part of the work party, into the Pecos Wilderness high country.  Much of trail is through lush country and we might see some early fall color.  High clearances needed for the carpooling.
Leader: Ken Collins, k6a0c8@cybermesa.com (505) 455-7107
Location: Santa Fe/Cundiyo area

Sunday, September 18: Tour Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument, Aiden Crater. A chance to visit an ancient volcanic crater in the proposed Aiden Lava Flow wilderness area. This is an easy to moderate hike that will require scrambling over volcanic rocks in the insider of this crater. Sturdy footwear is necessary. No beginners please. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. High profile vehicle also required.
Leader: Howie Dash,  575-652- 7550 or howiedash@aol.com; RSVP for meeting time and place
Location: Las Cruces area

Tuesday, September 20: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details.

Wednesday, September 21: Bosque By Wheelchair at the Bachechi Open Space. This area, just outside the river’s levees, has a forested and wetland area, in addition to a large garden and educational center. We’ll explore the garden of the Bernalillo County Open Space program and (as time permits) some of the other features of Bachechi. The purpose is to enjoy the garden and be together but also to explore the true accessibility of the trail (which was constructed to be accessible). We will do our best to ensure ease of use before the outing, but we may discover unexpected challenges the day of the outing. If you need special assistance, please contact us beforehand, but we also will have outings leaders who can help on the inclines if needed. All are welcome. 9 a.m. to noon. Bachechi Open Space. Bring good shoes and wheels, walkers, crutches, canes, etc. water, hat, sunscreen, snack.
Leader: Colston Chandler (505)-343-9498 or ccent@swcp.com; RSVP
Location: Albuquerque area

Saturday, September 24: Moderate hike to Placer Peak.  Moved to Oct 15.

Sunday, September 25: Tour White Sands National Monument, Alkali Flat Trail. We will hike up and down over the dunes to Alkali Flat and return. White Sands is the largest gypsum sand dune area in the world. Five miles roundtrip. Bring food, sunscreen and lots of water. Park entry fee may apply.
Leader: Howie Dash, 575-652-7550 or howiedash@aol.com; contact  for meeting time and place.
Location: Las Cruces/Alamogordo area

Sunday, September 25: Bosquitos Outing: Plants of the Bosque, Plant Walk and Talk with Dara Saville of Albuquerque Herbalism. We will stop to look at plants closely while learning their names and their stories. Meet at 1 p.m. at Kit Carson Park at the play structure. The Bosquitos are the youth-centered group of the Bosque Action Team.
Leader:  Sarita Streng, 505-288-8713; call for more information or if you have difficulty finding our group. If you need special assistance, please let us know.
Location: Albuquerque area

Tuesday, September 27: Weekly hike to Alpine Meadows above Ski Basin. See July 12 listing for details.

October Outings selected look-aheads

Saturday, October 8 (reschedule from 9/10): Exploratory Rio Chama Redwall Canyon descent. Seldom seen except by rafters, the Colorado Plateau Chinle formation closes in on the Rio Chama, 4 miles upstream from Christ in the Desert Monastery. We will either negotiate a way past the Monastery or more likely take Carson FR145 across miles of the Mesa de los Viejos, over to the Chama Canyon Rim. Then we descend 1,300 feet on relatively good trails and loop along the river edge to come back to the car. See Canyonlands but with evergreen trees added, on your doorstep! No dogs allowed due to unknown nature of what we will encounter by the river.
Leader: Mark Dunham, medunham2@msn.com, 505-795-0199
Location: Abiquiu/Española area

Saturday, October 15 (reschedule from 9/24): Moderate hike to Placer Peak (up to 8 miles/1,700 feet), few opportunities to visit the highest peak in the Ortiz Mountains, coordinated through The Santa Fe Botanical Garden and Santa Fe County.
Leader: Mark Dunham, 505-795-0199, medunham2@msn.com
Location: Santa Fe area

Saturday, October 22: Easy hike in Bear Canyon. Can be done with a walker or walking cane; however, trail is sand, not asphalt. Loop hike toward Elena Gallegos can be shortened, depending on participants. Finish outing with optional potluck.
Leader: Odile odile@pitot.org and call 505-433-4692 by Oct 20 for details.
Location: Albuquerque area