** If the forest is closed due to fire danger, we will consider other options for a float
Join Zack for a Rio Grande floating adventure. We will start at 9am on Saturday June 23 at the Red Dot trailhead, hike down to the river, continue up the river trail to the bottom of the Blue Dot. There, we will stop and enjoy lunch and inflate our floating toys/mattresses/water wings. We will then float back down to the Red Dot, wash off in the clean springs, and hike back to our cars.
Let’s head out to Serpent Lake in the Pecos Wilderness. From there we can climb Jicarito Peak and another unnamed peak. I have not been there, so it’s somewhat exploratory. If people can make it, we can drive out Friday night and camp at the trailhead, or we leave Saturday morning from LA - I’m flexible, so just communicate your preference. Distance is about 11 miles roundtrip, and 2300 feet elevation. The Mountaineers did this trip in 2007 - see here for a trip report: http://lamountaineers.org/oldtrips/178.html
Carson National Forest is still open to hiking, but under Stage II fire restrictions, so no campfires (stoves are ok). I have not been to that area, so this is somewhat exploratory, and I'm open to deviate from the suggested plan. My plan is to meet at Sullivan Field at 7:30 AM on Saturday, June 9, drive to Cabresto Trailhead (about 2.5 hours or a little less) and start hiking Lake Fork Trail. At the junction with Bull Creek (about 2 miles), we remain on #82 and head to Heart Lake (11,500 ft) where we set up camp (about 2.5 miles, total elevation gain from TH is 2,300 ft).
We'll hike a lovely trail that follows Rito de la Olla about 5 miles to Bernardin Lake (may be dry). Known for its wildflower-filled meadows, the hike starts at 8600 feet and has an elevation change of about 850 feet, usually with few hikers. It's a 90 minute ride to the trailhead, so let's meet at the White Rock Y at 7 a.m. to beat the heat and arrange for carpooling. If all hikers are interested, we may stop for a mid-afternoon dinner at 5-Star where any pooches are welcome on the patio.
In an exploration of a New Mexico classic that I’ve never done, this hike will take the standard route up Hermit Peak on Saturday, May 26, which is Memorial Day. Hermit Peak, at the southeastern corner of the Pecos Wilderness, is a rocky sentinel reaching 10,212 feet that looks out over the high plains of northeastern New Mexico. We will hike out and back to the summit, for a total of 2,700 vertical feet and 8 miles round trip. The hike is via a good trail.
This hike has beautiful views almost the entire way. It's about a total of 4 miles and we will go to the tip of the Mesa and admire the view. We will meet at 9:30 a.m. and will be finished by noon. Meet east of Red Jackson dressage area which is east of Brewer Arena which is at the bottom of the road where the horse stables are. If you don't have a car, I have room for 3.
Once more into the Canyon Country! For our spring 2018 trip, I have arranged with BJ Orozco of Llama2Boot to shuttle us to a camp on The Gulch, which is actually a clear-water stream a few miles upstream from the Escalante River. This will be a cool and comfortable destination for a mid-May trip. We’ve worried about warm weather in previous Mays, but actually haven’t run into much, and have had our share of cool or even snowy weather instead. There is complex slickrock in many directions from this camp, so there will be plenty to explore in our 5 days of wilderness hiking.
Visit the fantastical spires, columns, and mesas of Plaza Blanca, immortalized by Georgia O'Keefe in her painting "From the White Place." We'll ramble through narrow canyons, climb up on mesas for amazing views, and visit some human earth installations rock art (?) near Abiquiu. The hike may involve some scrambling if you wish, and will be up to 5 miles. Bring plenty of water, food, and sunscreen (there is not much shade). Carpool from the White Rock Y at 7:30. We should be back by 1:30 or 2. Please contact one of the trip leaders to save your spot.
