Bobcatting Ponderosa and Apache Springs Trail

Description: Bobcatting Ponderosa and Apache Springs Trail
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 5 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 3 hours
Elevation: 7000’-7600’
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: Ponderosa trailhead is located in Bandelier National Monument about 1 hour from Santa Fe. This out and back hike has three roughly equal parts. First, we’ll hike thru a nice Ponderosa pine forest to the rim of Frijoles Canyon. Second, we’ll descend into Frijoles Canyon via switchbacks. This is a steady drop with lots of turns and good views of the canyon and opposing slope. Third, we’ll follow the Frijoles Creek upstream. The canyon floor has plenty of wildflowers (and some poison ivy), but the highlights are the tuff formations on the north wall of the canyon–stumpy monoliths, peaky spires, a small arch, and soaring sheer walls. There is one pretty easy creek crossing. We’ll have lunch on the edge of a big shallow alcove beneath tuff spires and walls before returning as we came.

NOTES. East Jemez Road–which I would normally take to Ponderosa– will be being repaved in Los Alamos next week so that road will have delays, and traffic may be heavy elsewhere in the area–like on Hwy 4–as motorists seek to avoid construction.

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.