Bobcatting Banco Bonito **MONDAY**

Description: Bobcatting Banco Bonit0: **MONDAY**
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 9 miles (sic)
Round Trip Hiking Time: 5 hours
Elevation: 8,000’to 8,800’
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: Banco Bonito is located at the west edge of the Valles Caldera about 1.5 hours from Santa Fe. This is a long hike, but I think it’s manageable since the trail ascends gradually up for the first half of the hike and descends gradually down for most of the second half (with some short ascents mixed in near the end); the trail is mostly easy-on-the feet packed dirt (though there are a few rocky and grassy sections); and the trail is mostly shaded (with sunny spots interspersed). That said, the route is a big loop, so it is a commitment.

Features include a variety of wildflowers and fungi (including, last week, plenty of colorful amanita mushrooms), a couple pretty meadows surrounded by scenic mountains, a natural spring, a lava-bubble cave (near scattered elk bones, hmmm), deteriorated lava flows, the highest elevation puebloan field houses ever discovered (though we didn’t spot them on our exploratory hike), and just generally pleasant, though not spectacular, hiking.

Note: There are hunters in the area, so bright clothes are a good idea.

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outerwear
Water for a 5 hour hike.
Lunch and snacks

Meeting Place: DEVARGAS. We will meet at Devargas Center, behind Market Street, 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 pets, per Valles Caldera 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.