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Post by joeterrific on Dec 11, 2019 19:31:58 GMT -8
Hi!
I'm seeking the best hikes in New Mexico / E. Arizona in January.
Multi-day treks and single day hikes welcome.
I've got a bit of time to burn so I welcome a mix of both!
Thanks!
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Dec 12, 2019 6:41:28 GMT -8
Hi and welcome to the forums.
Are you looking for snow or something more like desert hiking? Northern east New Mexico/Arizona or more towards the southern parts of the area?
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Post by trinity on Dec 12, 2019 7:13:19 GMT -8
Check out the recent thread just below on Saguaro National Park, you will find lots of good suggestions for the region you are researching. I would definitely spend some time in the Gila, you could make some quick overnight trips to hot springs. Turkey Creek Hot Spring is fabulous, and doesn't require many river crossings.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Dec 12, 2019 7:42:52 GMT -8
Guadalupe Mountain National Park (on the edge of Texas) and the Carlsbad area are great that time of year. White Sands NM. Lots of public lands and hiking opportunities that time of year in southern New Mexico.
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Post by joeterrific on Dec 12, 2019 18:40:06 GMT -8
Thanks for the replies guys!
As far as what I'm looking for, probably would prefer desert to snow. I'm game for high mileage or high gain but prefer nothing too terribly treacherous re: route finding.
Guadalupe Mountains are a new one for me, they look amazing in photos. Landing in ABQ, would I have time in 2 weeks to head East for a trek out there, then all the way back West to get some overnighters in Turkey Creek & Saguaro?
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Post by starwalker on Dec 12, 2019 20:08:00 GMT -8
Google maps shows just over 5 hours to Guadalupe. It has been many years since I've been there, but I know Guadalupe Peak is a half a day hike. I always wanted to hike up to the Bowl, set up camp and explore for a day or two before coming back down. Then it is 7 hours to Saguaro.
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Post by trinity on Dec 13, 2019 6:21:27 GMT -8
Guadalupe Mountains are a new one for me, they look amazing in photos. Landing in ABQ, would I have time in 2 weeks to head East for a trek out there, then all the way back West to get some overnighters in Turkey Creek & Saguaro? Yes, you would have time, but that sounds like a lot of driving to me. The Guads are certainly awesome, though. If you search Trip Reports, you'll find a couple of winter trips I've done there in recent years. If it were me, I'd probably just go to the Gila for a week, then the Tucson area for a week, either Saguaro or the Chiricahuas. Or, if you would rather head east, you could easily spend two weeks in west Texas, hitting the Guads, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Big Bend National Park. That would be a fantastic trip. Another place I've been wanting to check out is the Organ Mountains. You have lots of options, but I would probably either head east or west from Albuquerque, but not both. That's just me, I'd rather be hiking than driving. |
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null
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Post by null on Dec 13, 2019 9:41:03 GMT -8
I always wanted to hike up to the Bowl, set up camp and explore for a day or two before coming back down. If you do this joeterrific, bring water. There is none up there. |
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Jan 4, 2020 11:48:25 GMT -8
Yup. No water up high in the Guadalupes. The peak is an easy day trip and worth doing. McKittrick Canyon is scenic and can be a day trip (some water down low) or can be used to reach the Bowl.
I’d also look at the lower elevations of the Chiricuahuas, including the monument. The high country could easily have deep snow.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jan 8, 2020 14:43:16 GMT -8
One of my favorite dayhikes or overnights is the Rio Grande Gorge west of Questa, NM which is about 20 miles North of Taos. I would definitely check conditions but I was there Christmas week several years ago and only needed yaktrax for about half of the loop down to La Junta Point and back up at Big Arsenic. Don't miss the petroglyphs! Awesome 3 sided riverside shelters with picnic tables for your overnight. Unless nudity bothers you or you don't do well with sometimes marginal characters don't Miss Blackrock ["Arroyo Hondo" hotsprings, parking at the first switch back west of the John Dunn Bridge with turn off down Arroyo Hondo about half way to Questa from Taos. If it is WARM with mild winds you might check out Great Sand Dunes National Park about 1.5 hours North of Taos in Colorado's San Luis Valley at the western base of one of my absolutely most favorite mountain ranges, the Sangre de Cristo. It can be REALLY cold there so be certain of contions and forecast.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Jan 23, 2020 10:52:29 GMT -8
One of my favorite dayhikes or overnights is the Rio Grande Gorge west of Questa, NM which is about 20 miles North of Taos. I would definitely check conditions but I was there Christmas week several years ago and only needed yaktrax for about half of the loop down to La Junta Point and back up at Big Arsenic. Don't miss the petroglyphs! Awesome 3 sided riverside shelters with picnic tables for your overnight. Unless nudity bothers you or you don't do well with sometimes marginal characters don't Miss Blackrock ["Arroyo Hondo" hotsprings, parking at the first switch back west of the John Dunn Bridge with turn off down Arroyo Hondo about half way to Questa from Taos. If it is WARM with mild winds you might check out Great Sand Dunes National Park about 1.5 hours North of Taos in Colorado's San Luis Valley at the western base of one of my absolutely most favorite mountain ranges, the Sangre de Cristo. It can be REALLY cold there so be certain of contions and forecast. This is a great little BLM area. Have visited a couple times. Some really good CCC trail work on the escarpment. |
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