The Santa Fe Hiking Meetup Group

PLEASE NOTE 8:30 START TIME.

I'd like to plan for a Burro hike in August up to Deception Peak; with this in mind, I'll be posting some harder & higher hikes for the Group to help us acclimate for all those who like these kinds of hikes. There will also be easier hikes mixed in, so that we get some easygoing hikes, which will suit many. With this in mind, here's one of the higher/harder varieties:

Aspen Vista TH, the immediately steep and steady Tessa's Trail/Alamo Vista Trail (to the left of the Service Road) takes us up through Carl's Meadow, which some may choose for their turnaround destination, but I'm guessing most will continue up to the Chair Lift. We'll have our Intention Circle & hike break at the Chair Lift, unless many wish to turn back at Carl's Meadow.

Some may wish to continue on up to the Cell Towers (or as some prefer to call it, up to Santa Fe Lake Overlook!), another strenuous stretch of a climb. This is fine, as long as folks carpool accordingly.

Remember: These hikes don't add up to a lengthy distance, but each segment is a strenuous climb, with mounting altitude. So, while distance is short, maybe 3 miles RT (to Chair Lift & back), it's steep throughout, & starts off with an immediate steep & sustaining climb!

Burro hikes are for experienced hikers, acclimated to altitude here. Our hikes are typically 4-7 miles in distance, considered moderate in difficulty by our standards. Newcomers are welcome! I do ask that newcomers test their fitness for my Group by timing themselves hiking up & down Atalaya, beginning at Staircase, using Steep Route Option. You should be able to comfortably hike this 5 mile distance in no more than 3 1/2 hours, to ensure that you're a good fit for our hikes. If you have any questions about Atalaya, or about anything regarding my hikes, feel free to text me at 617-331-1838.

Non-aggressive, well-mannered dogs are welcome on all my hikes.

We meet at the DeVargas Mall parking lot, behind the stores (back of lot); park in a lane near the bowling alley, but not right up against the mall wall. We carpool to all THs together. We tend to leave promptly at our start time, so if you're running just a few minutes late, please text me & we'll wait up to 5 minutes for you.

Ronnie Chafel 617-331-1838

PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF THOSE ON WAITING LIST AND DO NOT NO SHOW. If you need to sign off a hike, whenever possible, please give me 12-24 hour notice. We all understand that sometimes unexpected things come up the morning of our hike, just text me if this is the case. If you do repeatedly No Show for my hikes, our Meet Up has a No Show policy, so there are consequences for this.

Description: Bobcatting the Sandias--Ellis, 10k, Survey
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 6.8 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 4.0 hours
Elevations: 9600'-10,400'
Rating: Moderate+
Pace: Mellow Plus

Be considerate of others and do not RSVP for this hike if you cannot go up and down Atalaya in under 3 hours. This helps us to stay together as a group, enhancing the hiking experience for everyone. This is a group hike and participants are expected to stay with the group. It is not about competition, but cooperation. No firearms or commercial solicitations. COVID vaccination and compliance with CDC rules on quarantine and isolation are required (i.e., don't attend if you have Covid!)

Hike Description: The Ellis trail head is about 1.5 hours from Santa Fe, on the east side of the Sandias. The two main trails we'll be on run parallel to one another and pass through meadows and forests, with plenty of wildflowers including Jacob's ladder, wallflower, hare bells, asters and many more. We'll go gradually downhill at first, so the return is gradually uphill. Lunch will be at overlook of the Rio Grande Rift, with big views to the west.

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outer wear.
Water for a 4 hour, potentially warm, hike. Be sure to bring plenty of water.
Snacks and lunch

Meeting Place:
We will meet in the parking lot of Albertsons at Zia-South St Francis. Enter from Zia, turn right immediately. We leave promptly at the meet time. If you are running late or your plans change at the last minute, please call Ken: 248-252-0708.

Dogs: Well-behaved dogs with no history of problems on group hikes are welcome, but must be on a leash at all times.

Cost/Driving: Non-drivers are to contribute $10 for gas. Paved road all the way.

Waiver and Release. By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from liability arising from the Event and assumes all risks of the Event, including (without limitation): 1) injuries from falls, living things, pre-existing health conditions, vehicles, and weather, and 2) injuries resulting from the Event Leaders not undertaking the least risky option available (e.g., hiking a steep slope instead of a gentle slope) or not treating an injury in the optimal way (e.g., due to insufficient training). The preceding sentence supplements any other exculpatory arrangement to which the Participant is subject.

This hike is a meditative walk in pine and Aspen forests for folks, who love to hike, meditate and sing short mantras.
Please bring smalll blankets with you (to sit on in comfort), plenty of water, hats and raincoats: we are still in monsoon!
Hike is easy 3 miles with no elevation gain
and doable for all levelsls of hikers!
I’ll bring large speaker for listening, singing, learning some short Buddhist mantra, providing you with texts and some percussion instruments. Keep in mind: we will be singing off the trail and after our walking meditation.
The trails are usually all over the forest left and right and could go down to Big TESUQUE or up to Santa Fe Ski area, so please stay with a group and follow only big loop, which is about 3 miles!
If you RSVP now, please save the date in your calendar, so, you will not forget this event! Change your RSVP, if you are failing to attend, so we will not wait for you at the trailhead! Be considerate to the group and your organizers!
Any questions? Text Deli Daria:5054794183