Hey guys! Thinking about doing a thru hike on the sandia crest trail some time in late october. Only issue is that I've heard there's some type of closure on the trail? Otherwise, is there anything else I should know/be aware of? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi all --
I haven't been back to the Taos area in almost 20 years since I was on staff at Philmont. A friend and I are going to be in Taos in about 2 weeks to hopefully do Wheeler, depending on weather.
I'm hoping to get some good advice, recommendations, and feedback from the group here! Thanks in advance.
Wheeler Peak
I've done a couple of good winter ascents over the last few years in the northeast. I'm hoping someone here can chime in with guidance on Wheeler specifically. Looks like there's already a decent amount of snow above treeline. We were initially planning on going up and down the Williams Lake route. I'm hoping the snow will be tame but the time we're there around the 25th.
But if it's not, I'm reading that the Williams Lake route can have some avalanche risk (I'm assuming in the stretch above treeline up to the ridge?). So I'm also looking at the Bull of the Woods route. But I'm trying to gauge what gear I should be hauling out west with me. Is this an ice axe / crampons day or is this a trekking poles and microspikes day? Or do I need to break out the snowshoes? Any feedback from people who have hiked Wheeler in the past would be welcome!
Taos Area
Separately -- any other fun peaks or hikes we should be looking to do? And, off topic for the thread, but would love to amass good restaurant / food recommendations lol.
Thanks. Looking forward to being back outside in New Mexico.
Hwy 64 between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras was so beautiful this week. We hiked the Elliot Barker trail on October 7, and more of the aspens were green than yellow. Beautiful also but not yet peak.
Has anyone been to Big Tesuque/Aspen Vista this week and can report if the colors are peaking or not yet? Or Jacks Creek/Beatty's trail?
I saw somewhere that there was snow on some of the Sangre de Cristos last week. Just wondering if there is still snow or if it melted. I'm hoping to get a chance to climb Wheeler before it gets covered
I’m new to the ABQ area and looking to get up to the peaks over the next couple of weeks. What are the best trails to get up to each peak? I’m not trying to do both back to back, probably two different weekends out and back each time
Please read, share, and support if you agree
This is beneficial for folks that like hitting the trails in the morning
I was backpacking in the Gila Wilderness this week and found a Zyn container with three rings inside. While probably a long shot, I would like to try and locate the owner if possible.
These were found on the Lilley Park trail on Wednesday, September 30. One ring has an inscription that I am withholding to help identify the owner.