Bobcatting the Burnt Mesa Great Kiva and Eagle Traps Loop

Description: Bobcatting the Burnt Mesa Great Kiva and Eagle Traps Loop
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 5.5-6.0 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 4 hours
Elevation: 7000’-7300’’
Rating: Moderate+

Please 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. It is not about competition, but cooperation. COVID vaccination and compliance with CDC rules on quarantine and isolation are required (I.e., don't attend if you have Covid!). This is a group event and participants are expected to stay with the group. No firearms or commercial solicitations.

Hike Description: Burnt Mesa is located in Bandelier National Monument about 1 hour from Santa Fe. We’ll follow the main Burnt Mesa trail thru a grassland with nice views of the surrounding mountains and a decent collection of late summer wildflowers including gayfeather and snake weed. We’ll then cut cross country to get to the ruins of the great kiva, which we’ll take some time to explore. We’ll next follow the edge of a canyon, walking off trail on tuff, until we get to a manageable descent, by which we’ll cross the canyon. We’ll then follow a faded trail to the eagle traps and return on a mix of faded trails, off-trail grasslands and the main Burnt Mesa trail, with several stops for small ruins.

NOTE: Much of this is off trail, on tuff or grasslands. The tuff formations have little exposure but may require some scrambling (i.e., using your hands to secure some ascents). The grasses have a variety of prickly seeds which will stick to your socks but are not really sharp or painful, just annoying. Consider long pants or gaiters.

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outerwear
Water for a 3+ hour hike.
Lunch and snacks

Meeting Place: DEVARGAS, behind Market Street (i.e., towards Saint Francis) but a little closer to the bowling alley. We leave promptly at the meet time, so contact me at 248-252-0708 if you are running late.

Dogs: No dogs, per Bandelier rules.

Cost/Driving: Car-pooling is up to attendees. Non-drivers are to contribute $10 for gas.

Cancelling. Please be courteous and if your plans change, promptly remove yourself from the 'go' (or wait) list so others can adjust their calendars. If you don't know how to remove yourself from the go (or wait) list, contact me and I'll do it for you.

Waiver and Release. By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from all liability arising from the Event and assumes all risks of the Event, including: 1) injuries from falls, living things, pre-existing health conditions, vehicles, and weather, and 2) injuries resulting from the Event Leaders making risky or inapt decisions including 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 or inept execution). The preceding sentence supplements any other applicable exculpatory arrangement.