Past Trips

I would like to propose an spring 2026 outing to the Lower Gila Box in southeastern Arizona. Perhaps this destination will be more convenient than the Big Bend trip previously proposed, with an outfitter, Far Flung Expeditions, that comes well-recommended by a friend. The Gila is a free-flowing river that drains the northern Gila Mountains of New Mexico and the White Mountains of Arizona; Far Flung is the only outfitter on the Lower Box. There are good hiking options along the trip, generally cross-country exploring across the countryside.

Sorry, cancelled for lack of interest 12/8/25

Nice hike in the White Rock canyon, going down the Red dot trail and coming back up the Ancho trail. The loop will take us back to the car through various canyons and trails in Pajarito Acres.

'Along the way we will see some nice petroglyphs.

This can be done as an 11 miles loop or an 8 miles hike with shuttle. Please let me know what your preference is when you sign up. Although you will be able to change your mind once we get to Powerline.

Let's hike to a lovely, small ruin in the Bandelier backcountry.  This is a 14 mile hike (total) - with 1600 ft of elevation gain/loss.  We will start from the Bandelier Visitor Center at 8 am.  Participants should bring hiking shoes, clothing suitable to the weather, 2 quarts of water (minimum), and lunch.   There is one short stretch of loose scree - so hiking poles can be helpful.  The hike will take about 7.5 hours.  A national park pass is required to park at Bandelier - if you do not have one, we can carpool.  

To call this ski season mediocre is an understatement – it has been tough through much of the West. However, Wolf Creek, which advertises the most snow in Colorado, is living up to its promise. The latest storm has delivered 11”, and their snow depth is 47” at the midway point – thin for Wolf Creek, but perfectly ski-able. I would like to propose one more Pagosa/Wolf Creek outing before the 2025-26 ski season gets away from us. We had a great ski outing in mid-January, and I would like to give it one more go.

This cross-country ski tour to the Brazos Overlook is one of my faves, as the lunch spot is spectacular (see photo) and the kicking-n-gliding sublime (if the snow conditions are right)!

The trailhead is about a 2-hour drive from Los Alamos followed by a moderate 7-mile-roundtrip ski tour. The tour is suitable for those with an intermediate level of cross-country ski touring experience, and the route is rated easy to moderate. 

This trip is full.

   Washington's Birthday is celebrated on Monday, February 16.  By then, the rain will have passed, the skies will be partly sunny and the air will be warm (60F).  My last canyon descent was in November 2025, so I would like to visit Pajarito Canyon.  This canyon has four rappels (45, 55, 120 & 70 feet).  Access is from Kinberley Lane.  Exit is over rocks and dirt and steep with cacti, and nobody likes it.

Join me in snowshoeing at Santa Fe Ski Basin from the Windsor trailhead. We will go up to Pecos Wilderness fence with the option to take a short detour to Aspen Peak first.

After that we go back to Windsor trail and proceed to Nambe Lake. Nambe Lake is at 11400 feet. The route to the Lake has very steep terrain at times. On the way down we may go off trail to return to Windsor Trail. 

It is going to be 7+ miles and over 2000 feet elevation gain.

Best snowfall of the year coming this Saturday, so, let's go XC Skiing at Cumbres Pass on Sunday January 25th.  There may be 18" of new snow by Sunday morning.  The plan is to ski Dixie Creek, from Cumbres Pass to the Chama River Valley Overlook.  This is an 8 mile, out/back ski, with 400 ft of elevation gain/loss.  This tour is appropriate for fish scale/metal edged skis (not AT skis or track skis).  If we haven't skied together before, please let me know ahead of time what kind of equipment you will bring.

I would like to propose a long weekend trip, staying in Pagosa Springs, and spending our days in winter sports - skiing at Wolf Creek, or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing wherever there is snow to be found. It is still early season (Dec. 14), but the Wolf Creek season seems to be starting out nicely, with a 27” base and the mountain already 100% open - well ahead of the situation in New Mexico. We might also take a day to drive over for a ski at Purgatory north of Durango.