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Post by rustyshackleford on May 7, 2019 14:19:10 GMT -8
Great suggestions. Unfortunately it looks like a cold and wet may for northern NM. I'm skeptical for elevations above 10k. Wondering if I should go some other time...
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 7, 2019 17:24:28 GMT -8
Hmm. We are going to be in the state soon and thinking of a bit of hiking and camping. We’ll have to just play it by ear—not after anything ambitious, so we’ll find a trail at an elevation that isn’t snowy. I’ll take a closer look at recommendations here with a map in front of me
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Post by cweston on May 8, 2019 5:16:32 GMT -8
Whereabouts in NM will you be, rebeccad ? One of the best day hikes in the Pecos, IMHO, is Hamilton Mesa, from near the end of the Pecos River Road. The trailhead is at the end of the Iron Gate Road, which I don't recommend for non-4WD vehicles (although I have done it, perhaps foolishly). It's a ridge walk with great views to the Truchas Peaks and Chimayosos. A significant bonus is the opportunity to eat at Casa de Herrera in Pecos after the hike. (Don't even think of ordering anything other than Chiles Rellenos or Enchiladas. And Sopapillas, of course.)
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 9, 2019 16:31:11 GMT -8
Whereabouts in NM will you be, rebeccad ? One of the best day hikes in the Pecos, IMHO, is Hamilton Mesa, from near the end of the Pecos River Road. The trailhead is at the end of the Iron Gate Road, which I don't recommend for non-4WD vehicles (although I have done it, perhaps foolishly). It's a ridge walk with great views to the Truchas Peaks and Chimayosos. A significant bonus is the opportunity to eat at Casa de Herrera in Pecos after the hike. (Don't even think of ordering anything other than Chiles Rellenos or Enchiladas. And Sopapillas, of course.) We will be wherever we want to be. We are thinking of a stop at Carlsbad Caverns, just because neither of us has ever been there, and it will be okay even in hot weather. Our final NM destination is Santa Fe, so we’ll be going pretty much the whole way up the state. Hamilton Mesa sounds nice, but we will be driving our overloaded Prius with two bikes on the back, so probably not a good time for us to be pretending it’s 4WD (something we have done many times, as the undercarriage and a few other bits will attest).
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on May 9, 2019 17:22:35 GMT -8
Has that place been there for a while? I recall eating at a place very near that spot in 1980. Sure was good. (Ask for green, of course!)
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Post by cweston on May 9, 2019 19:03:33 GMT -8
Has that place been there for a while? I recall eating at a place very near that spot in 1980. Sure was good. (Ask for green, of course!) I don’t have first-hand knowledge going back that far, but yeah, it seems liked it’s been there a long time.
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Post by rustyshackleford on May 20, 2019 9:36:28 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? The trip is near. I've decided upon a 5-1/2 day, 5 night trip. I'll improvise routes once at higher elevation based on snow conditions. I have one final question (I think). I've never post-holed in trail runners. I've only done so for short hikes in water proof boots. I still can't decide if i should bring my water proof boots or trail runners. I don't plan on being in the snow too much. I love hiking in the trail runners and i will bring water proof gaiters to help keep snow out if necessary plus an extra pair of merino hiking socks (two hiking socks + dedicated sleeping socks). What would you bring this type of year? Thanks!!!
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Post by cweston on May 20, 2019 12:51:50 GMT -8
What would you bring this type of year? Thanks!!! YMMV, but this is the kind of hike GTX boots were made for IMHO. I prefer waterproof boots for high-country trips generally, but especially in the early season where slushy snow and sloppy wet conditions are very likely.
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Post by rustyshackleford on May 20, 2019 12:57:12 GMT -8
Thanks, thats what i was thinking also but hoping i could get by with trail runners.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on May 21, 2019 4:34:27 GMT -8
Snotel says Rio Santa Barbara at 10664' - 0.9", Santa Fe at 11445' - 12.8". That's not much snow left although it will be deeper under tree cover.
I'd wear trail runners. Boots will keep you drier crossing muddy meadows. Won't keep you much drier in post-holey snow unless you have knee-high gaiters. Both will get soaked crossing creeks, but boots with stay uncomfortable longer.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 21, 2019 8:00:45 GMT -8
When we went through last week, the high peaks were definitely snow-covered (we stayed low). Don’t know if yesterday’s CO storm reached that far south, but it could be a game-changer if it did.
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Post by rustyshackleford on May 21, 2019 9:16:24 GMT -8
Snotel says Rio Santa Barbara at 10664' - 0.9", Santa Fe at 11445' - 12.8". That's not much snow left although it will be deeper under tree cover. I'd wear trail runners. Boots will keep you drier crossing muddy meadows. Won't keep you much drier in post-holey snow unless you have knee-high gaiters. Both will get soaked crossing creeks, but boots with stay uncomfortable longer. hmmm....I have 17.5" length gaiters (goes almost to my knees and i'm a touch over 6'1") but I was concerned about cold water seeping through the mesh. I do love my trail runners though. I think this will be a gamble either way. I think i'm now leaning back to the trail runners...I spoke to a ranger yesterday that said a few days ago a trail crew went up from iron creek to past Hamilton mesa and then over to Beatty's Cabin and back. They reported very little snow at those elevations (about 10.4k max).
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Post by rustyshackleford on May 21, 2019 9:19:19 GMT -8
When we went through last week, the high peaks were definitely snow-covered (we stayed low). Don’t know if yesterday’s CO storm reached that far south, but it could be a game-changer if it did. The Pecos was supposed to get a couple inches yesterday/today but not much.
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Post by cweston on May 21, 2019 9:33:38 GMT -8
I spoke to a ranger yesterday that said a few days ago a trail crew went up from iron creek to past Hamilton mesa and then over to Beatty's Cabin and back. They reported very little snow at those elevations (about 10.4k max). FWIW, I've been in the area in May in the past when Hamilton Mesa and Beatty's flat were completely clear of snow, but there was still a ton of snow in the high country. So I'm not sure that info is really dispositive of anything.
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Post by offtrail on May 23, 2019 13:29:15 GMT -8
I've been in that area many times and was skiing at Angel Fire this winter. It was a good snow year for northern NM this year. If you go up the West Fork of the Rio Santa Barbara, you will definitely hit deep snow once over 11000 feet. The pass is at 12k. Once you get above treeline, the way with be apparent, but down in the trees, the trail isn't that well marked when the ground is covered in snow. And since that is all north facing slope, you'll encounter knee deep snow this time of year. It should be melted off by mid to late June. Once you get on the ridge, there's no problem.
Just my 2 cents.
offtrail
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