June

Saturday, June 22. Easy early summer hike in the Bosque. We’ll enjoy a leisurely walk on a trail that is flat and fairly even that will take about 1-1/2 hours. Meet at 8:30 at the tree sculpture garden  just off the Montano Bridge on the west side of the Rio Grande (turnoff is just before Coors if you’re going west on Montano). Bring water, hat, snacks, sunscreen, and favorite summer poem to share!
Trip leader: Margaret, mardel18@aol.com
Location: Albuquerque
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Saturday, June 22. Strenuous hike of Wheeler Peak. Join the Sierra Club Military Outdoors Program to climb the tallest peak in New Mexico. Active duty, retirees, dependents and civilians are all welcome, must be in good physical condition and tolerate high altitudes. This very challenging hike starts near the upper ski area at 10,000 feet and proceeds to the summit at 13,161 feet. It passes a beautiful alpine lake, winds thru towering ponderosa pines and offers unforgettable views of the surrounding mountains. We’ll be camping the evening before (June 21st) at Taos Ski Valley. We’ll then meet at Williams Lake trailhead parking lot at 6:30 a.m. for the trailhead briefing. We’ll then celebrate the first full day of summer on the summit at noon with a high altitude lunch. Children over 16 years of age only and no dogs please. Contact leader no later than June 18th to RSVP and obtain recommended gear list.
Trip leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Location: Taos area
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July

Saturday, July 13: Hike at high altitude in the San Pedro Parks region traveling past the San Gregorio Reservoir crossing creeks and through evergreen and aspen forests, marshes, and open areas. Meet at 6:45 a.m. at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center located at 7521 Carmel Avenue NE in Albuquerque to leave promptly at 7:00 a.m. Drive time to the trailhead will be 2 hours. This in and out hike will be 7.1 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 783 feet, and a total uphill of 806 feet. The minimum elevation will be 9269 feet. The grade will be 5% at times. A raincoat or poncho are required in case there is an afternoon storm. The hike leader will cancel the hike if a thunderstorm is forecast. Contact the hike leader telephonically or by text no later than July 10th to RSVP. This hike will be limited to 15 hikers, including the hike leader, due to the group size limit. Seniors, please bring your National Park passes. Please no dogs or children.
Trip Leader: Diane, 505-917-0556
Level: Moderate/Strenuous
Location: East of Cuba, NM
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Saturday July 20: Piedra Lisa Canyon Trail-White Wash, meet at the trailhead at 13225 Menaul Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87111 at 7 a.m. with an approximate end time of 10 a.m. No dogs please. Distance: 2.1 miles with an elevation gain of 954 feet. Excursiones a la Naturaleza de Nuevo Mexico. RSVP by July 18th.
Trip Leader: Cecilia Chavez Beltran, 505-243-7767, cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org
Level: Moderate
Location: Eastside of Albuquerque
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Saturday, July 20: Carlito Springs Resort Hike. Meet at 8 a.m. at Hobby Lobby on Juan Tabo to carpool. Join us to tour this oasis on the South slope of the Sandia Mountains. Great for beginners, and children over 10 years of age if accompanied by parent or guardian. Two miles round trip with a 350 foot elevation gain in under 1 1/2 hours. Locale has interesting historical significance. Dogs on leash, OK, Carpooling encouraged due to limited parking. Recommended carpool driver donation is $3. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and we welcome everyone. Contact leader no later than July 18th to RSVP or sign-up at the link below.
Trip Leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Easy
Location: East Mountains of Albuquerque
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Sunday, July 21: Woodsy, Meadows Cedro Peak Loop Hike. Meet at 7 a.m. at Hobby Lobby on Juan Tabo to carpool. This four hour outing which includes drive time, is approximately a 5.7 mile loop hike with 363 feet of elevation gain. Join us for this piñon-juniper-ponderosa woods hike, looping near historic Cedro Peak Lookout. The trail has significant amounts of loose, rocky terrain going down and up hills, sections of which are open to bicycles, horses & ATVs. This is appropriate for children over 12 with an accompanying adult. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. Recommended carpool driver donation is $3. Contact leader no later than July 19th to RSVP.
Trip Leader: Carrie Ann Drinville, 505-369-9450 text message is best or email at drinville@hotmail.com
Level: Easy/Moderate
Location: Southeast of Tijeras
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August

Sunday, Aug 4: Armijo Trail Hike. Meet at Sprouts Farmers Market parking lot, 13150 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 at 8 a.m. with anticipated end time of 12 p.m. Located near Cedar Crest, this is a lovely shaded area which features a dry riverbed. Approximate round trip distance is 4.5 miles with an elevation gain of 790 feet. Drivers bring $3 cash for Forest Service parking/amenity fee, or have appropriate pass. No dogs please. Excursiones a la Naturaleza de Nuevo Mexico. RSVP to leader by August 2nd.
Trip Leader: Cecilia Chavez Beltran, 505-243-7767, cecilia.chavez.beltran@sierraclub.org
Level: Moderate
Location: East Mountains of Albuquerque
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Saturday, Aug 10: Armijo Trail and Cienaga Spring Trail Hike, Meet at 8 a.m. at Hobby Lobby on Juan Tabo to carpool. Come to admire the beautiful ponderosa pines and mountain wilderness that’s right in our backyard. Suitable for children over 12 years of age if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Five miles round trip with a 900 foot elevation gain in approximately five hours. Dogs on leash, OK, Carpooling encouraged and recommended carpool driver donation is $3. $3 Forest Service parking/amenity fee in cash or Cibola Wilderness pass or other federal service pass is required. Sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and we welcome everyone. Hike limited to 10 people. Contact leader no later than August 7th to RSVP or sign-up at the link below.
Trip Leader: Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, teowen@comcast.net
Level: Moderate
Location: East Mountains of Albuquerque
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September

Saturday, Sept 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, Sept 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, Sept 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, Sept 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

October

Friday, Oct 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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Friday, Oct 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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Photo by Diane Owens