EXPLORE RIO GRANDE WILD and SCENIC RIVER

WHOA!! ANOTHER CLASSIC NM HIKE

Read all of this. There will be a test.

Rio Grande Wild River is north of Taos maybe 20 miles. We start hike with descent via Cebbolla Mesa trail to the Rio Grande then up to confluence of the Red River. We cross over the Red and continue north to the Big Arsenic Springs Trail. Here we ascend out of the gorge to the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic Rec Area. A short walk across top takes us back to the La Junta trail where we go down, down, down again. La Junta trail has two steel ladder sections. HEY! READ THIS. No dogs unless your dog knows how to descend steep ladders or is comfortable being lowered by rope. Bring your own rope.

This loop trail will take about 5-6 hours with much of the trail along the Rio Grande. Great scenery the entire way. Should still be a lot of color with the oak brush and privet trees. This part of the gorge starts the section with groves of Ponderosa pines. This place is also remote and the lair of packs of wild, fanged carnivorous animals who are especially hungry this time of year. (ha!)

READ THIS TOO! It will be sunny and warm. Bring wind jacket and warm layers as always when in the back country. If for some reason we are there after dark, it gets cold. You can leave a jacket in car along with gloves and warm hat. Good hiking shoes or light boots. Bring headlamp. This should always be in your pack. Bring 2 liters minimum of water. You can filter water from the river

Hike is easy but might be considered long by some. Descent is about 800 vertical feet. The entire vertical is approx 1600 as we do ascend twice.

AND THIS. There is no set end time. I'll just say we most likely will be back in Santa Fe around 7 pm. One way drive according to Map Quest is 94 miles and 2 hours. Option would be to have dinner in Taos for those interested.

The road to the trail head is known to be rutted depending on when the forest service grades it out. Forecast is for dry weather so no mud holes. Vehicles need to be high clearance.

Cost: $10 goes to the drivers. Feel free to pay me anything you want. No limit.

PLEASE: Be considerate and only sign up if you are 'HELL BENT' or just really intend to go

Here is map link:

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/nm/programs/recreation/rec_images/rec_images_taos.Par.21086.File.dat/WildRivers_Broch_Update_08022012.pdf

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There are actually lots of trees in the part of the gorge where we will be hiking.

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Here is the Red River. Lots of trees like this and a whole lot more.