To get the canyon trips rolling early for 2022, I’d like to suggest a town-based trip with 3 days of hiking on April 14, 15, and 16, Thursday-Saturday. I’ve reserved lodging in Blanding, Utah. From there, we can pick our hikes from the northern end of Comb Ridge, Mule and Arch Canyons, Natural Bridges National Monument, and White Canyon. We will have plenty to choose from, and the 3 days will go quickly. We will do our usual cross-country exploring, seeking places that are seldom travelled.
Cabezon Peak towers 2000 feet above the Rio Puerco Valley. This volcanic plug is the remnant of the core of a volcano - like Shiprock. Appearing impregnable, Cabezon can nonetheless be ascended by the intrepid mountaineer who follows the hidden route that wends its way through a crack in the plug's defenses. Said mountaineer must be able to execute a couple of low fourth class maneuvers in pursuit of the summit.
Let's hike the Frijoles Canyon/Frijoles Rim Trail Loop on Saturday April 2. This is an approximately 13 mile hike with about 1500 ft elevation gain and loss. The hike will start at the Bandelier Visitors Center, going up Frijoles Canyon to the Upper Crossing. Then proceed south out of the Canyon to link up with the Frijoles Rim Trail, returning to the Visitors Center.
Melanee Hand, Primary PoC, with Sub Team Leaders assigned
Telephone:
5054901960
Date:
Sun, 2022-03-27
Leader Email:
mhand1960@gmail.com
Difficulty:
Moderate
Technicality:
Intermediate
Are dogs allowed?:
Not allowed
It’s time to brush the sand and mud off your canyoneering gear so we can practice for upcoming April canyoneering. We plan to meet at the parking area to the Pajarito Canyon at the end of Kimberly Lane in White Rock at a designated start time arranged by the leader. A group of 5 should be able to finish the canyon in about 4 hours. Depending on the amount of people who sign up to attend, we might need to break into several teams with sub-leaders.
Mountaineers! I'm planning to go ski the 3 day storm moving in to Purgatory this weekend. For those unfamiliar with Purgatory: it's one of the easiest beginner friendly ski areas I know. But it's not friendly to beginner snowboarders due to gravity traps - that is, traverses that a boarder would need to walk. Weather will be pretty moderate with very light winds and overcast.
Let's X-C ski to Jawbone Mountain on Saturday Feb 26. This is a 6 mile round-trip (700' elevation gain) off Highway 64 (near Hopewell Lake), somewhat following the CDT. It is a kick/glide tour, with a final, somewhat steep ascent to the peak. Climbing skins (or kicker skins) are recommended for the final piece - in part to ski back down thru the trees from the top.
It is an hour and 40 minute drive to the trailhead. The tour will take about 4-5 hours, including lunch. We'll meet at 7:30 am to depart for the trailhead. Meeting location will be sent to participants.
Looks like Purgatory will have a massive snowstorm starting Monday evening. Moderate winds and temperatures, and only light snow during the days. Let's go powder hounds! When a critical mass joins I'll arrange a two night vrbo near Purgatory ( or failing that we're all on our own for hotels). Purgatory is a large, scenic, ski area; some of the Pajarito passes offer free or discounted tickets there.
On Sunday, Feburary 20th, you are welcome to join me in snowshoeing to South Mountain in Valles Caldera.
Distance: 8+ miles
Elevation gain: about 1200 feet
The Caldera entrance gate by Highway 4 typically opens by 8:45-8:50. We will meet at the Caldera visitor center by 9am to get permits to drive to the backcountry Headquarter parking. If you want to carpool, please make arrangement with the leader.
From the parking area on south side of Highway 4, we will snowshoe past the sledding hill and continue up the canyon to intersect with FR 280. Following the forest road, we will get to the base of the Las Conchas Peak. We go off trail here and ascend to the top among young aspens and some deadfalls. This part is rather steep, especially the final quarter mile that could be tough for some snowshoers. The view on the summit at 9941 feet is spectacular.
Let's ski the Banco Bonito loop in the Valles Caldera this Saturday February 5. This is a 9 mile loop with about 900 ft of elevation gain/loss on forest service roads in the southwest part of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Cross country skis with fish scales are appropriate for this tour. It is possible there are a couple of thin spots on the tour, where we would take off our skis and walk.
