Continuing our multi-year series of explorations in the canyon country, our fall 2021 trip will target Antone Ridge, which we last saw in the spring of 2011, and before that in 2005. The writeup of the 2005 trip can be found at http://lamountaineers.org/oldtrips/145.html. Antone Ridge offers all of the attractions of the slick rock desert - oases, domes, and huge views. The outing is fairly physical, with several hours of hiking every day, but a nice base camp to return to every evening.
Cerro Abrigo is a dome in the middle of the Valles Caldera preserve, circled with an old logging road. The route is 7.2 miles round trip with a gain of 1,515 feet.
I would like to announce a two or three-night backpacking trip into Cruces Basin for August 27-29. Cruces Basin is pristine wilderness located west of San Antonio mountain near the New Mexico/ Colorado border. We’ve been a few times before, and it is well worth going back. This trip will be a mellow and family-friendly adventure with a short hike to our camp followed by hikes to explore the Basin. We can break into groups for day hiking, with options for those that want to adventure out further and those that want to do shorter day hikes.
This is a hike with big views that climbs the northern rim of the Valles caldera. It can be found on page 87 of Coco Rae's book; she says "a popular out and back trail that climbs up an old jeep road through forested groves and high elevation meadows to the northern rim of the caldera, finishing at an open meadow and rewarding your efforts with stunning, sweeping views of the preserve." The hike is 7.6 miles rt and 1902 feet ascent.
A hike/bike trip to the Tenth Mountain Hut Division – Fowler/Hilliard is planned for July 18-22, 2021. We have the entire hut for 12 adults. The deposit is $125.00 per person. Please e-mail me with your interest.
Hopefully COVID will be substantially behind us for this trip, however, we have to bring our own pillows. Sleeping bags are recommended, and be prepared for mountain weather.
Planning ahead, I have booked the entire 11-person trip for a 5-night descent of the Selway River, a 47-mile outing that starts in southeastern Montana. We will travel with Hughes Expeditions, who have impressed us with the quality of their service on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, for example on our 2016 trip . Per Hughes' writeup, "The Selway River Trip is a premier mountain wilderness, whitewater, camping, and fly fishing trip that flows through beautiful forested canyons.
8.6 mile loop around Banco Bonito which hugs the Western edge of the beautiful El Cajete meadow in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Expected ride time 3 hours. Driving: 45 minutes drive one way.
Easy pace. Mile 3 is a long uphill on somewhat rugged double track: walking parts of it is ok.
Please make sure your bike is in good working condition with air in the tires.
Bring a spare tube that fits, plenty of water, snacks.
Under 16 year old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
