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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2016 10:05:11 GMT -8
I'm planning a Pecos Wilderness backpack in about a month.
I've been there a couple times before; once through Puerto Nambe to Lake Katherine, Stewart and Spirit Lakes, and the second time to Pecos Baldy Lake and the Trailrider's Wall.
I experienced significant altitude sickness at Pecos Baldy Lake last time, so I want to be more gradual this time. I'm contemplating hiking to the Beatty's Cabin area via Beatty's Trail or the Hamilton Mesa Trail, hanging out for a day or so, and doing a loop around Cerrito del Padre (traversing along the Skyline Trail beneath Chimayosos), or possibly hiking the Pecos Trail up to Pecos Falls.
Anyone here have recommendations on these (or other routes in the area)?
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Post by trinity on Aug 17, 2016 10:32:32 GMT -8
Interestingly, I have only had altitude sickness once, and it was at Pecos Baldy Lake. I started my hike exhausted, and only gave myself one night to acclimate. Not a good idea. I think your idea to go up to Beatty's Cabin is a good one. I have only hiked that trail downhill, but I remember it being fairly gradual. On that particular trip I hiked to Pecos Baldy Lake on day one, over Trailrider's Wall to Truchas Lakes on day 2, around to Beatty's Flat on day 3, and back out, I think on the Beatty Trail, on day 4. I think doing that loop in reverse order would be much more reasonable. Unfortunately I just lent out my books and map for that area, so I don't have access to the elevation gains involved. Another possibility might be the Lake Katherine, Stewart and Spirit Lake area that you've done before, but go in from Panchuela, which would make for a different experience. You could use the Cave Creek and/or Windsor Ridge Trail. I just got back from a family trip to the area, wasn't able to do much hiking, but it sure is a spectacular place. I can't wait to get back.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2016 15:11:28 GMT -8
Thanks trinity, I really appreciate your comments.
Your alternative trip suggestion, from Panchuela to the lakes, sounds attractive too, particularly if I acclimate by camping at Stewart before the trek up Lake Katherine. On the previous trip, we hiked up and over from the ski area, so it was a completely different approach and involved a lot less climbing.
I agree with you that it's a spectacular area; hope you had a great family trip there. Did you all camp in the area? I camped at Jack's Creek before the climb up to Pecos Baldy Lake.
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Post by cweston on Aug 17, 2016 16:39:39 GMT -8
Hamilton Mesa has some really excellent views--that's the best approach to Beatty's, IMHO. However, the road to the trailhead is really stretching what a passenger car can do, if that's what you're driving.
The scenic climax of the area is Truchas Lakes and the Truchas peaks, IMHO, but that's a pretty long day from Beatty's. (If I understand correctly, you're talking about camping at Beatty's and visiting higher destinations as day hikes, right?)
If you head up to Chimayosos, it's an easy climb to the summit, and the views are wonderful.
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Post by trinity on Aug 17, 2016 17:49:16 GMT -8
I agree with you that it's a spectacular area; hope you had a great family trip there. Did you all camp in the area? I camped at Jack's Creek before the climb up to Pecos Baldy Lake. We camped at Panchuela, but were only there for 2 nights; we cut our trip a bit short after being rained on for over a week straight. I've only stayed at Jack's Creek once, also before the climb to Pecos Baldy Lake. It's nice, but I prefer Panchuela, smaller and quieter, no rvs. The scenic climax of the area is Truchas Lakes and the Truchas peaks, IMHO Totally agree. Amazing area. However, the road to the trailhead is really stretching what a passenger car can do, if that's what you're driving. Does that trail leave from Iron Gate? I've never tried the drive, sounds a bit too hairy for our wimpy city cars. |
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Post by cweston on Aug 17, 2016 18:28:04 GMT -8
However, the road to the trailhead is really stretching what a passenger car can do, if that's what you're driving. Does that trail leave from Iron Gate? I've never tried the drive, sounds a bit too hairy for our wimpy city cars. Yes, that's right. I have done it in a Honda Civic, but I do not recommend it. It is one of the most extreme roads I've taken a 2wd passenger car on. |
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Post by cweston on Aug 17, 2016 19:03:21 GMT -8
Also, very importantly, there is an excellent restaurant in Pecos, if you like traditional northern New Mexico cuisine. Unfussy, but outstanding (the locals eat there). casadeherrera.com/ |
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Post by trinity on Aug 18, 2016 3:40:01 GMT -8
Dang, somehow we've missed this place. The driveup burger place is not too bad, and I've had a decent meal or two at Frankies at the Cassanova, but this looks way better. I can't think that I've even noticed it. Look forward to trying it next time I get out there.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2016 5:41:16 GMT -8
Hamilton Mesa has some really excellent views--that's the best approach to Beatty's, IMHO. However, the road to the trailhead is really stretching what a passenger car can do, if that's what you're driving. The scenic climax of the area is Truchas Lakes and the Truchas peaks, IMHO, but that's a pretty long day from Beatty's. (If I understand correctly, you're talking about camping at Beatty's and visiting higher destinations as day hikes, right?) If you head up to Chimayosos, it's an easy climb to the summit, and the views are wonderful. Thanks for the tip about Hamilton Mesa. I just have a family car, so if I went that route, I would do the hike from Jack's Creek to Iron Gate and then up Hamilton Mesa from there. It looks like it fords the Pecos on the way, which could be a problem if it is wide/fast in that area. I was thinking of acclimating a day or so at Beatty's but then trekking up to the base of Chimayosos or Pecos Falls (and spending a night in those areas). I've hiked the Trailrider's Wall once before, up toward South Truchas, so I've seen that area and definitely agree that it's a scenic high point. In fact, the whole hike along the Trailrider's Wall, with views overlooking the whole headwaters area, was pretty scenic. I thought it might be interesting to get the view from Chimayosos, too, and perhaps climb it if I feel up to it. |
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Post by cweston on Aug 18, 2016 6:05:30 GMT -8
If the options are Pecos Falls or Chimayosos, I'd definitely do Chimayosos. Pecos falls is nice, but the most spectacular country in the area is along the Santa Barbara Divide. Chimayosos is an easy climb from anywhere on the west, south, or east of the summit.
My favorite hike in the area is up the west fork of the Rio Santa Barbara (from the northern edge of the Pecos Wilderness) and over the divide to Truchas Lakes.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2016 6:37:17 GMT -8
Okay, this helps a lot; thanks to both of you.
If the options are open beyond Chimayosos and Pecos Falls, do you have other things you suggest over those two?
Those are just a couple features I found on the map that looked like interesting possibilities after leaving Beatty's.
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Post by cweston on Aug 18, 2016 6:51:30 GMT -8
Given that you've been to Trailrider's Wall on a previous trip, I think Chimayosos is a great choice. The best view of the Truchas Peaks is from the summit of Chimayosos.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2016 9:26:28 GMT -8
Okay, thanks a lot for sharing your expertise; this is very helpful.
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Post by cweston on Aug 18, 2016 13:33:08 GMT -8
That's what this place is for. Here are a couple shots from the summit of Chimayosos.   |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2016 10:18:28 GMT -8
A nice look that passes by Beatty's cabin is to leave from Jack's Creek campground and continue up past Beatty's cabin and Pecos Falls then continue up Trail #24 to the divide. Then along the divide on Trail #251 all the way to Truchas Lake and across Trailriders Wall. Then Pecos Baldy Lake and then down to Jack's Creek. Just a note, I found no water up on Hamilton Mesa.
offtrail
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