Valle Grande Breakdown

On this Wednesday, stopped at the Coyote Call pullout to try to capture the spotlights of sunlight breaking through the clouds over the Valle Grande, onto South Mountain (left) and tiny, little Cerro la Jara (right). Looked much prettier in person!

We hiked up Corral Canyon. Very muddy, trampled by cows and although the cows are finally gone, the trail is still full of their rain-softened manure mounds. Windy - we could hear loud cracks as trees fell in the forest. Several slippery stream crossings. The steam is much widened by erosion caused by Las Conchas wildfire runoff from burnt slopes. At Junction Meadow, we decided not to continue on the trail through the wind-shook burnt forest but instead went up to Peralta Road. On the walk back down to the car, saw this pretty view of Cerro la Jara through the burnt trees.

At a pullout overlooking the Valle Grande as snow, rain and fog alternately swept in. What a lovely place to have my car's battery die. I couldn't have asked for a prettier view as I waited an hour  for the AAA wrecker to come jump start my battery! They were a most welcome sight but so was this view!!

Don't Want to Stay Indoors

This week, driving back from yet another wonderful hike in the gorgeous autumn, listening to country songs of yearning on KRSN, I had my own wild yearnings as I passed one trailhead after another. I was tempted to stop at every one and take a second hike just to remain outside in the achingly beautiful fall we're having. At the same time, prudence gently warned that if I took two hikes everyday, I'd soon wear myself out. But...what a way to go!!

Thimbleberry leaves along Cañada Bonita Trail

Aspens in Cañada Bonita meadow

Foggy Fall Hike on Pajarito Mountain

"One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather..." Mother Goose Rhyme.

Last Monday morning, Pajarito Mountain's Zero Road East at hairpin turn which overlooks the townsite (Los Alamos). No town visible - just mounds of whipped-cream fog and clouds.

Camp May Road below. Beyond, fog rising up out of Los Alamos Canyon.

Townsight lift at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area.

Caballo Mountain (meadow), left and Quemazon/Rendija Mountain (two peaks), right. A touch of fall colors the ski hill.

Short Jaunt on VC09 Pipeline Road into Valles de los Posos

This is VC09 Pipeline Road which goes downhill from Guaje Canyon Trail 282 into the Valle de los Posos. I was floored to see the once locked Valles Caldera boundary gate open and a sign allowing (dare I say, welcoming!) hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders! The Boundary Line sign reads: United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Cerro Rubio from Valle de los Posos. There were lots of cattle, not pictured, which behaved like they had never seen a human. We three were serenaded by loud bellowing as the cattle, and a fair number of calves, quickly moved further away from us. We were glad of the distance!

Fiery Fireweed

On Tuesday, walked with women's group from Pajarito Ski Area to Rosie's Point on Guaje Canyon Trail 282. Saw 2 groups of bow hunters - both empty-handed - and a lone backpacker with his dog. The cooler weather was absolutely perfect! 

Fiery fireweed sets the landscape ablaze in the Las Conchas burn.

Taperleaf - Pericome Caudata - Along Nail Trail

A friend from the Nature Center wanted photos of a flowering plant, Taperleaf or Pericome Caudata. I promised that I would go back to the Nail Trail last Thursday to capture a portrait of said plant. Well, last Wednesday evening is when a jogger was attacked by a mother bear in Valle Canyon which is just a mile or so down West Jemez Road from where the plants grow alongside the Nail Trail.

After taking the photos, I continued up the Nail Trail, past the short, rocky section to where the trail opens up, flattens slightly and turns left. Right there is where I heard a moan - could have been a vehicle on West Jemez Road but it certainly sounded like an animal. I scanned the thick growth of mullein but didn't see anything. Just in case,  I picked up a thick stick and held it above my head to look tall and continued hiking uphill. Soon, I tossed that and picked up an even stouter stick which I clattered along the ground behind me to not surprise any bears. I honestly (perhaps, stupidly!) dragged that stick for a long time and I found a different way back down to my car.

Taperleaf - Pericome Caudata

Yeamans Bench

Last Tuesday, I walked up the west jeep road on Pajarito Mountain. When I got to the top, within sight of the holding pond, instead of continuing down the east jeep road, I strolled west over to  Rim Run to admire the view into the Valles Caldera. Then, because it remained a splendid day with no threat of thunderstorms and not a reason in the world to hurry, I retraced my steps to the Mother Lift where I took a trail in the woods to the Yeamans Bench.

On various visits to the Yeamans bench, I've failed to notice (or forgotten) the plaque on the front. It reads: Dedicated in loving memory of Steven Karl Yeamans October 8, 1959-January 11, 1999 by his friends and family.

The bench is situated on the south side of Pajarito Mountain and has sweeping views on which to contemplate.

Tough As Nails - Not Me!

At Nail Trail, very nifty sign made of nails. Legend is that someone put roofing nails on the trail resulting in lots of flat bike tires and thus the name.

I say the trail got its name from this short, "tough as nails" section where you skip from rock to rock and hope to stay upright and unbroken!

Hikes from Past Week

From Frey Trail, Bandelier National Monument - clouds building. They "produced" on the drive home.

Along Canyon Rim Trail, yellow prairie coneflowers.

 

Keddy Lake between Peralta Ridge and Cerro Pelado in Paliza Canyon. Who is it named after?

Playing Heidi on Pajarito Mountain - took jeep roads up west side and down east side from the ski lodge.

Notes to Self on Burnt Mesa Eagle Traps

The Monday group hiked to the Burnt Mesa Eagle Traps. There were 8 of us - the group is growing! I recently conscripted a friend to pre-hike to the Eagle Traps with me and what a good idea that was! On the pre-hike, I kept prematurely looking for what I call the bonus deer trap, which is a package deal along with the 2 eagle traps. Today, though, I knew just where to find it! (This somewhat relates to a cartoon that a hiking member sent out recently - "What do we want? Better memory! When do we want it? Want what??") But I know that by the next time I hike to the eagle traps, I will forgot again where the bonus deer trap is.

So, here are notes to jog my future memory (assuming I still have one): The important part is that the bonus deer trap is almost 2 miles into the hike - you are very close to the eagle traps at that point. The deer trap is located on a shelf just below and south of the mesa ridge. At its eastern end, the shelf is easily accessed by a short downhill on what looks almost like a wide, rocky road. Be careful not to trip on the metal stake that marks the deer trap as an archeological feature. My hiking friends call it a deer trap since it's wide and shallow. After visiting the deer trap, continue a little east of south and uphill. You will see almost a path at times, created by past visitors to the eagle traps. At some junipers, go downhill, over rocks, to the pair of narrow, deep eagle traps perched at the edge of Frijoles Canyon.