This hike documents my loop hike from Trailhead #3 to Trailhead #4 along NM 4.  The route involves a combination of terrain from smooth established trails to cross country travel with exposure.  Some beautiful and seldom-seen canyon formations are the highlight of this route.  Views of the Rio Grande canyon area are also included.

This route passes through some of the land that Los Alamos County is requesting be transferred from NSSA to the County.  (May 29 news item)

This report describes two routes in Cathedral Wash that I hiked on consecutive days.

Lower Cathedral Wash is a hiker-friendly canyon with some minor route finding and downclimbs.  It offers a good non-technical canyoneering experience with easy access and good photo opportunites.  This half-day hike ends at the Colorado River.

This solo hike took me from Lee's Ferry to Horseshoe Bend.  The hike involves an ascent of 1700 feet on Spencer Trail, followed by a cross country hike across varied topography.  After Spencer Trail there is no reliable established trail.  The "crux" of the hike involves making a detour to avoid the steep cliffs of a side canyon to the Colorado River.  There are interesting badlands (Death Pockets) to cross and many opportunities to peer into the Colorado River canyon.  Horseshoe Bend has become an extremely popular photographers' destination, but not by this route.