The Santa Fe Hiking Meetup Group

PLEASE NOTE 8:30 START TIME.

This is an 8 mile up & back hike, with an option to make it a 4 mile distance, if some prefer, with a car shuttle.

We'll all start out at the Big Tesuque Campground TH, hike down to the Winsor Trail, then turn right & hike up to the Norski TH. This is a forested trail, very pleasant, first downhill from Big Tesuque, then all uphill on the Winsor, but nothing steep, a mild but steady grade up. One way distance is about 4 miles. We'll have our break at the picnic table at the Norski TH, then turn around and return the way we came, first all downhill on the Winsor, then back up to the Big Tesuque TH.

Hikers will need to decide before we leave the mall which distance they want, as any who want to have a total of a 4 mile hike, will need to coordinate leaving one car at the Norski TH before we all start hiking at Big Tesuque. We've done this many times before, & I can coordinate this for those who choose this option.

Burro Hikes are for experienced hikers, most of our hikes are moderate in difficulty (by our standards), usually on designated trails, typically 4-7 miles in distance unless otherwise specified.

Non-aggressive, well-mannered dogs are welcome on all my hikes (unless otherwise specified, some locations prohibit dogs).

Newcomers are welcome on all my hikes; I ask that newcomers please test your fitness for my Group by timing yourself hiking up and down Atalaya, which you should be able to do comfortably in 3 1/2 hours or less (starting from Wilderness Gate or staircase, using Steep Route option). If you have any questions about this, or about my hikes in general, please feel free to contact me through Meet Up Messaging or by text.

Ronnie Chafel 617-331-1838

We meet at the DeVargas Mall, in the back of the parking lot, behind the stores; please park in a lane near the bowling alley, but not right up against the mall wall. We carpool to all THs. Please offer your driver $2 to cover gas expense for this hike. We do try to leave promptly, so if you're running just a few minutes late, text me & we'll wait up to 5 minutes for you.

Please be considerate of those on the Wait List & sign off hike as soon as you know you cannot attend, preferably 24 hours in advance, if at all possible. PLEASE DO NOT NO SHOW. Repeated No Shows have consequences.

Description: Bobcatting Las Conchas, with East Fork Extender, FRIDAY JULY 31
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 6 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevations: 8200'-8500'
Gain: 300+ ft.
Rating: Easy, except for the one short slope, which is 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: Las Conchas is located in the Jemez Mountains 1.25 hours west of Santa Fe. For the first 1.7 miles of the hike, the trail follows a gentle mountain stream (East Fork) thru a wide, shallow canyon. The canyon floor is largely meadow, interspersed with conifers and willows. The canyon walls range from steep rocky slopes to elegantly eroded cliffs which are popular with climbers. The flats along the stream are brimming with a wide assortment of wildflowers, including primrose, daisies, Jacob's ladder, wild roses, bee balm, black-eyed Susans, hare bells and possibly even a few Mariposa lilies, After 1.7 miles we will climb out of the canyon and hike thru mixed conifer and aspen forest, with glimpses of the mountains in the nearby Valles Caldera. We'll return as we came, except on the return, after we drop back into the canyon we'll promptly hike up a short but steep slope to a nice lookout.

Note: The trailhead itself has limited parking, but there is a nearby lot we can use.

Note also: No I'll effects from the recent, nearby wildfire

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outer wear.
Water for a 3+ hour, potentially warm, hike. The canyon floor is mostly in the sun, and the elevation is not really high, meaning this can get warm, so be sure to bring plenty of water.
Snacks and lunch

Meeting Place:
We will meet behind Market Street at Devargas Center, but a little closer to the bowling alley. 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.

REGISTER HERE AS INTERESTED TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKET POINTER

**Northern Jaguar Project is coming to Santa Fe! **

Pioneering conservationist Diana Hadley and her husband Peter Marshall started this project in 2003, creating a unique partnership with Mexican ranchers to conserve large mammals in the Sierra Madre, and especially this northernmost Jaguar population.
After an hour presentation of the Borderlands Jaguar film, Asst. NJP Director Cholla Duir, and possibly Diana Hadley, will lead a discussion of current issues and progress at the preserve. There are also limited chances to visit the reserve on multi-day tours. Plenty of time will be kept for audience questions, and light refreshments will be served.

Forty of 120 seats will be reserved for members of local outdoor organizations and hiking groups, and a $15 donation per RSVP helps save room for those with the most interest. This notice appears on multiple sites, but we now have a unified site hosted by NJP to donate and receive a ticket. The link will be shared with those showing interested here, and will go public on August 1, so be sure to register there before it fills up.

We will monitor this site regularly to see who needs the link, and would like you to comment here when you have donated and received a ticket.