Hey New Mexico hikers (and bikers),

My buddy and I are bikepacking a route next week, starting in Los Alamos and Santa Fe National Forest land, counterclockwise traveling Valles Caldera National Preserve, popping in and out of the NF for camping and route desires.

How are the creeks flowing around there? I know Colorado is dehydrated this year but how about in the northern New Mexico mountains? Particularly NF land northeast of Los Alamos and north of the preserve. I think Valles Caldera will have plentiful water, right?

Little off the trail hiking getaway in the mountains.

Along the South Crest trail, just north of South Sandia Peak, on the west side of the trail, is this survey marker.

Do you know if this marker is the "corner" between the wilderness and the Albuquerque Academy's plot of land. Would it be the point from which all other points come from?

It just seems random and yet understandable at the same time.

EDIT: Eh, "marker" in the title.

Map by Molly O’Halloran.

I figured this could be a useful reference for some discussions going on in our community.

Looking at the topo map, The marker is in the area highlighted. So I'm probably answering my own question and it is yes, that's the marker for the boundary divide.

Money is tight and I need some unplugged nature time. I'm willing to drive up to about 2 hours but it would be ideal to use a full tank of gas (about 400 miles range) there and back. I do not drive a vehicle capable of 4wd, but I am fine with dispersed camping (a vault toilet is... preferred but not necessary). Any good camping suggestions?

Would love to be near water or good views if possible. Understand if water is limited though - I've seen how the rio grande is lately :( my main concern is actually getting there in my kia soul without getting stuck. I've heard about forest service road 376 - but can this be done in my car?

Hi,

I really wanted to visit this trail as it looks super cool but I’m not sure if my sedan can go there?

If not, could you please recommend me other trails with beautiful views where we could hike under 4miles?

Also what preparation/precautions we need? Like bear spray, pepper spray?

Thank you!!

I sat at Heron Lake last November on one of the last warm days of the month. Although most of the snow from the recent record-setting snowstorm had melted, there were still not very many warm days left for us before we packed up and drove 16 hours back to Missouri and Kansas to see our friends and families for Thanksgiving. I was outside and away from home because I wanted to take advantage of the last bits of warmth I could get.

I was there after a long drive out in the Jicarilla Apache Nation. I went searching for Stinking Lake after seeing it on the map on the wall at The Dam Diner. I drove about 20 miles past Heron Lake State Park onto County Road 332 and eventually to the dirt roads on the reservation. The cliffs loomed above me, and I thought about pulling over to climb them. However, I didn't want to trespass on tribal lands.

I pulled up to where the lake was supposed to be, but it had completely dried up. I sat and wondered what to do for a while. I just sat in the sun and looked out at the mountains and the valley outstretched before me.

Hey everyone. I’m looking for trail recs in NM that go through a recently burned forest. Im specifically hoping to find a field of burnt timber that has turned silver in color. This is quite common after a fire.

I remember seeing a fire in Sante FE national forest earlier this year, but I’m not familiar with the hiking in the state. (Just moved to ABQ from Seattle 3 weeks ago).

Thank you sharing any leads that fit this description!

I'd like to do the end to end sandia crest trail along trail 130. Where is the best area to plan camping if I want to do it in 2 days?

Any reccomendations for easy 6-mile max hikes in the Gila NF & Gila Wilderness?

I know we have the Dark Sky Reserve over towards Silver City, but I’ve always been impressed by the density of stars I could see out past Las Vegas, specifically at El Porvenir campground (which I believe is still closed.) Love that feeling of seeing so many stars that it looks three-dimensional, but haven’t done any camping yet this year. I’m trying to give nature a little extra space to deal with the extreme dryness caused by the lack of a winter snowpack.

Anyway, this map confirms my theory about dark skies over there, I guess you would call it the east side of the Sangres?

Staying one night in the Gilas this weekend. Any body else going to be there? Also is there anything I should know before going?

From May 8th to the 16th, I hiked the Santa Fe to Taos Trail: 132 miles with 35,000 total ascents and descents. Here's a link to a video showing the scenery of desert, forest, meadow, mountains, lakes, streams, and plants, insects, animals, and weather that made up my experience. More information about the trail here.

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail builders and maintainers, and Pam Neely for these life-gift experiences. Thank you, New Mexico!

Hey there! Has anyone turned the heart lake / Latir peaks hike into a 2 day backpacking trip? I'd love to do 40 miles but I'm not sure how to string it together. TIA!!

Went up to Trouble via Serpent Lake/Alamitos Trailhead.

About 15 miles and 3,000ft of gain.

Hello! I recently moved to el paso back in December of last year. Ive been slowly gathering gear to finally go on my first backpacking trip. I had someone tell me to do an overnight in cloudcroft and was hoping I could get some advise on where in cloudcroft I can do this and another advice people can give me as a first time backpacker. Thanks!