There is a lot more snow on the slopes than there was a couple of weeks ago, so let's give it a go. I'm organizing a day ski trip, probably to Santa Fe, leaving Los Alamos 8:30 AM on Sunday. Let me know if you can join us! Bill
New snow at Cumbres Pass, let's go X-C skiing! This is an ~8 mile out/back ski, starting at the Spruce Hole trailhead. Elevation gain ~800 ft. The weather looks good on Saturday, so we should have beautiful views of the Blanca massif.
Bring lunch, water, layers of warm clothing, radios if available, skins if available (probably will not need).
The days are short, so let's meet at the Sullivan Field parking lot at 7 am. Send an email to jdewart@q.com if you'd like to come. We should be back in LA by ~ 6 pm.
Would you (or folks you know) like to learn to X-C ski or snowshoe this winter? Let me know, and we will schedule dates that you can go!
For X-C skiing - we will travel to the Enchanted Forest X-C ski area, located just east of Red River, NM. The ski area has rental gear, instruction, and packed trails. For a description of the area, and prices, go to http://www.enchantedforestxc.com
sunday Sunday SUNDAY!
Join Zack and Dan at Sipapu ski area on Sunday, Dec 7 for fun and informal downhill skiing. Sipapu has more than its fair share of snow this year -- 22" base depth with more likely to come this week. Lifts are open all the way to the top.
We were thinking of leaving around 7:45am from Los Alamos. I have a couple spots open in my car, let me know if you want to carpool. Otherwise, meet us there and we'll have lunch together. If you don't want to associate with us, let me know and we can plan ahead to ignore each other.
Hi folks,
Come join me in the SNOW! There is 22" of snow (16" FRESH snow!) at the Cumbres Trestle SnoTel site... I think that snow needs some fresh tracks!
We'll leave the White Rock "Y" at 7:30AM on Saturday morning, pick up Santa Fe ites at 8:10 at the usual NNMC parking lot (Espanola), and be in Chama at roughly 10:00. We should be on skis by about 11AM.
Please dress warmly, bring lunch and snacks.
Please email if you're interested, rgmorgan@lanl.gov.
No dogs please.
ron
Jan Studebaker and I recently cleaned out our respective gear closets and came up with six sleeping bags, five Thermarest-type sleeping pads, three sleeping bag covers/bivy sacks, and 20+ back packs and day packs, all perfectly functional but not currently in use (believe me, we have plenty of other, newer gear!). Our excess items went to St Elizabeth's Shelter on Alarid St, Santa Fe, but other homeless shelters also welcome camping and outdoor gear (the staff distributes it to clients). Homeless folks can also use your old sweaters, jackets, and boots.
Due to trail closure above the Upper Crossing - the Stone Lions hike will have to be done as an out/back hike from the Visitor's Center. This is a 13 mile hike, net elevation gain is 2850'.
If participants prefer - we could do the Ponderosa Campground/Upper Crossing/down Friloes Canyon to the Visitor's Center. This is ~8 mile hike, with a net loss of 1300'.
Both are 8 hour hikes.
Bring lunch, 2 quarts water, rain jacket, hiking shoes.
Behind the Rocks, a maze of fins and canyons just over the hill from Moab, is in my experience about as spectacular as any part of the canyon country. See here and here for trip reports.
Update Feb. 27: Room is still available on this trip.
There is a lovely canyon, between Ancho and Frijoles, that allows an access to the Rio Grande - Chaquehui Canyon. Let's explore the trail from the Bandelier overlook to the Rio Grande via Chaquehui. The trail begins at the overlook on the road into the Bandelier Park headquarters. The Park Service tells us that the trail is brushy - so long pants are a great idea. When we get to the river, we will do some exploration along the river. We will return by the same route.
