Upper Jaramillo Creek - Valles Caldera Preserve

Under the new Park Service management, access to the Valles Caldera has changed. The shuttle vans are gone, but a limited number of private vehicles are permitted drive-in access to the backcountry. Many of the former roads have been closed and reserved for hiking, so the Caldera will become a wilder place than it was before. We have made a reservation for Saturday, July 18, and will drive to the backcountry for an in-and-out hike on the upper Jaramillo, a valley with a pretty little creek that rises towards Redondito. Details of the hike can be found here, although the information about the shuttles no longer applies. A map of the hike, which runs along the abandoned road VC03, can be found here. I anticipate an out and back hike of 8-10 miles and 500-600 foot climb. If there is interest, we may organize a satellite trip, a much more ambitious loop up Jaramillo and out along the slopes of Redondito that would run 14 miles and 1300 feet climb.
 
We will leave Los Alamos at 8 AM, and can take as many cars as we like to the staging area, but must crowd into 2 or 3 permitted cars to go past the staging area into the backcountry. Participants should carry water, lunch, sunscreen, have good hiking shoes or boots, and be prepared for whatever weather comes at us, including (it's summer, after all) thunderstorms and heavy rain. To join this trip, please e-mail Bill at bill@priedhorsky.net. Because spaces are limited, please do not sign up unless you are confident that you can go.
 
The Valles is a wild and beautiful place, despite its proximity to Los Alamos. I hope you can join us.