Bobcatting Fourth of July Canyon: NEW DATE OCT 21

Description: Bobcatting Fourth of July Canyon
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 6.0 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevations: ~7560' to 8890'
Gain: 1400 ft.
Rating: Moderate+
Pace: Mellow Plus

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

Hike Description: Fourth of July Canyon is located 2 hours southeast of Santa Fe in the Manzano Mountains. It is one of the few areas in New Mexico featuring bright red fall color due to its preponderance of maples. The red color change is not uniform but is underway and the contrasting yellow-ochre oak change is well along. The hike proceeds through rolling hills before starting a steady ascent thru nice maple, alligator juniper, pine and Douglas Fir forest. The final ascent is on a partially overgrown trail up to a couple of striking vistas with great views of Cerro Guadalupe, Cerro Mosca and Cerro Blanco, along with the plains to the east and the Rio Grande Rift to the west. We will lunch there before returning (mostly) as we came.

Note: I'll check this out tomorrow; if it's less ripe with color than anticipated I may change the venue and push this back a week. Also, the Federal shutdown could affect whether this remains accessible. Watch for updates.

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, water resistant outer wear.
Water for a 4+ hour hike and snacks/lunch

Meeting Place: ZIA
We'll meet at Albertsons at St Francis and Zia, along Zia Road, Enter the parking lot from Zia and immediately turn right. If your plans change at the last minute, please call Ken at 248-252-0708.

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

Cost/Driving: Non-drivers are to contribute $10 to the driver for gas. The last 7 miles is on a sometimes rutted and rocky dirt/gravel road, so an SUV is a good idea for drivers. A National Park/recreation passes will allow free parking, otherwise there may be a small fee.

Please be courteous to those on the wait list and if your plans change and you won't attend, put yourself in the 'not going' group. If you don't know how to do that contact me and I'll do it for you.

Release and Waiver. By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from 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 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.