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Post by rustyshackleford on Feb 8, 2019 6:34:48 GMT -8
trinity cweston graywolf toejam swmtnbackpacker you all were very helpful with planning of my trip last year and I would appreciate any further advice from you or anyone else familiar with the area. I'm considering another trip there this year. Last year I went Memorial Day week and snow cover was not an issue due to the historically low snowfall last winter. However, I understand that is usually not the case that time of year. I don't know what routes I'll take yet, so this is a general question. To avoid post-holing and difficult route finding due to snow cover, when does Pecos generally become hiker-friendly? Perhaps mid-June? Thanks!
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Feb 8, 2019 8:23:43 GMT -8
It varies every year. Maybe check to see how the nearby ski resorts are doing ..Ski Santa Fe is high on the northwest side of the Pecos wilderness. If it looks like they’ll be shutting down those north facing runs early, chances are there won’t be much, if any, snow in most parts of the Pecos, especially south-facing Jacks Creek, Iron Gate, and Panchuelta (though one should have adequate insulation in case of a freak snow storm, even in the middle of a heat wave, ... though it’ll melt off fairly quick).
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Post by cweston on Feb 8, 2019 9:28:56 GMT -8
The big answer, obviously, is that it's different every year, and I know that you know that.
My experience has been that the second week of June is going to be pretty reliably OK in terms of high-country travel with a minimum of post-holing, etc. One can definitely still encounter other spring difficulties at that times: especially mosquitos (there is a season, although it is brief), scary-ass river crossings, and damp ground.
Before that date, I think you're more at the mercy of the weather of the season, particularly whether or not there are significant late storms dumping snow.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Feb 8, 2019 12:14:57 GMT -8
I only had problems in May - never in June.
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Post by rustyshackleford on Apr 24, 2019 9:17:36 GMT -8
Looks like there is likely to be a lot of snow still lingering lay May at elevations above 10k and within treeline. I only have experience traveling on snow in flat land and using cheap snow shoes. I'm wondering if I should get some backpack friendly snow shoes so that I can go where I want within reason? I do have crampons for hard packed snow but was thinking I'd probably need snow shoes to avoid postholing which I've never done for any length and certainly not in alpine country. Any advice? If snow shoes, any recommendations?
Also, I have no knowledge of avalanches. Is that a concern that late in the year in Pecos or will the snow have melted enough to where massive avalanches aren't a risk?
Thanks!
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Post by absarokanaut on Apr 30, 2019 12:36:20 GMT -8
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toejam
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Post by toejam on May 1, 2019 10:56:03 GMT -8
The SNOTEL graphs I just looked at projected snow gone from Rio Santa Barbara and Sante Fe by June 1. www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/nm/snow/Avalanche won't be a hazard for you. If you see any snow it will be hard and icy in the mornings turning to post-hole hell in the afternoon. But the alpine meadows and lower elevations shouldn't have any snow. It would be trails like 251 in wooded areas that could have long post-holey stretches. I think you should not bother packing snowshoes and keep your route flexible to avoid north and east slopes and forested ridge tops. I'd bet conditions are going to be great.
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Post by rustyshackleford on May 1, 2019 16:09:52 GMT -8
The SNOTEL graphs I just looked at projected snow gone from Rio Santa Barbara and Sante Fe by June 1. www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/nm/snow/Avalanche won't be a hazard for you. If you see any snow it will be hard and icy in the mornings turning to post-hole hell in the afternoon. But the alpine meadows and lower elevations shouldn't have any snow. It would be trails like 251 in wooded areas that could have long post-holey stretches. I think you should not bother packing snowshoes and keep your route flexible to avoid north and east slopes and forested ridge tops. I'd bet conditions are going to be great. Great info. Would you recommend i bring my crampons? I'll definitely bring water proof gaiters. Breathable trail runners or gtx? Would temps need to drop below freezing for the snow to ice like you mentioned or does it just need to cool at night and the cold snow underneath is enough to harden the top layer? the reason I ask is because it never dropped below freezing last year even at the highest elevation i camped at (11400). Thanks for your help, I'm getting excited!
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toejam
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Post by toejam on May 1, 2019 19:49:33 GMT -8
I think if you come upon a steep side slope requiring crampons, you should find somewhere else to go. I can't imagine there being enough icy slopes to justify packing them. I'm trying to think of trails where that might be an issue. The one place that stands out is the switchbacks high on the West Fork Rio Santa Barbara on a north-facing slope.
The snow will firm up at night even if it doesn't freeze. The shoes you normally like to hike in should be fine. If you are flexible, I think you can avoid bad situations. Where were you wanting to go?
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Post by rustyshackleford on May 3, 2019 10:03:35 GMT -8
Thanks toejam I've been trying to study routes on caltopo but the loading of the site is so slow i'm growing frustrated. Any suggested routes/trails is appreciated. I don't have a hammock so part of my problem is knowing where good campsites are. Right now I'm open to anything such as 5 day 4 night or mixing of car camping and single night backpacking. I'll be searching the net this weekend for ideas...
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toejam
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Post by toejam on May 4, 2019 2:19:10 GMT -8
I think your best bet for routes is from the end of the road north up the river from the town of Pecos. Park at Jack's Creek, Panchuela, or Cowles and hike up into the Pecos basin. Trail #257 to Pecos Baldy Lake would be great. Then hike Trailrider's Wall to Truchas Lakes or Jose Vigil Lake. Climb the all the peaks you have a chance to climb. You can hike the alpine ridge over 20 miles from Pecos Baldy to Jicarita Peak.
You could also hike up trail #254, the Winsor NRT from Cowles. Camp at Spirit Lake and climb Santa Fe Baldy. Visit Lake Kathrine.
Horsethief Meadow is a great place. The 2016 FS topo has deleted some of the main trails in & out, so I couldn't say what their condition is.
The upper reaches of the Pecos River is nice. You can get there on the alpine ridge and avoid any snow in the forest. Pecos Falls is disappointing but a nice hike to get there. There's nothing really to see at Beatty's Flats, but you can find a nice camp site.
Trail #251 on the ridge north of Elk Mountain is probably the worst post holing I've ever done.
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Post by trinity on May 4, 2019 11:26:51 GMT -8
I think your best bet for routes is from the end of the road north up the river from the town of Pecos. Park at Jack's Creek, Panchuela, or Cowles and hike up into the Pecos basin. Trail #257 to Pecos Baldy Lake would be great. Then hike Trailrider's Wall to Truchas Lakes or Jose Vigil Lake. Climb the all the peaks you have a chance to climb. You can hike the alpine ridge over 20 miles from Pecos Baldy to Jicarita Peak. You could also hike up trail #254, the Winsor NRT from Cowles. Camp at Spirit Lake and climb Santa Fe Baldy. Visit Lake Kathrine. Horsethief Meadow is a great place. The 2016 FS topo has deleted some of the main trails in & out, so I couldn't say what their condition is. The upper reaches of the Pecos River is nice. You can get there on the alpine ridge and avoid any snow in the forest. Pecos Falls is disappointing but a nice hike to get there. There's nothing really to see at Beatty's Flats, but you can find a nice camp site. All great suggestions. If you fish, Johnson Lake has some nice Cutthroat Trout fishing, and is not frequently visited, since it is a mile or so off the beaten path. There are some great campsites above the lake. Spirit Lake has lots of great spots, and from a basecamp here you can do a nice day loop around Puerto Nambe, Santa Fe Baldy, and Lake Katherine.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on May 4, 2019 19:29:28 GMT -8
you can do a nice day loop around Puerto Nambe, Santa Fe Baldy, and Lake Katherine. I hiked from Stewart Lake to Lake Katherine and climbed Santa Fe Baldy. Then went cross country to Johnson Lake. That was a great hike. Katherine and Johnson have great views. Spirit is pretty but dark and shady. Stewart is o.k. but draws a crowd. Jose Vigil was easily my favorite lake in the Pecos.
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Post by cweston on May 6, 2019 8:09:31 GMT -8
Jose Vigil was easily my favorite lake in the Pecos. I have not visited, but it does look very inviting from the slopes of Truchas Peak above. Did you drop from Trailriders Wall, or approach up the Rio Medio trail? I have heard that theft/vandalism are persistent problems at that trailhead.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on May 7, 2019 10:51:46 GMT -8
Did you drop from Trailriders Wall, or approach up the Rio Medio trail? I'd recommend dropping in from Trailriders Wall. We started from Panchuela, camped the first night at Horsethief Meadow, then went north to the Rio Medio drainage, camped on the Rio Medio and to Jose Vigil the next day. It was September and Rio Medio had been grazed heavily over the summer - was tough to pitch a tent for all the cow pies.
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