Bobcatting Joseph Mine and Posi Ruins at Ojo Caliente

Description: Bobcatting Joseph Mine and Posi ruins at Ojo Caliente
Round Trip Hiking Distance: ~5.5 miles + wandering distance
Round Trip Hiking Time: 3.5 hours + looking around time
Elevation: ~6,300' to 6,600'
Rating: Easy+
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 outing 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!). Return time varies by option chosen re: soaking. Please, no firearms or commercial solicitations.

Hike Description: The Joseph Mine trail is located at Ojo Caliente, about 1 hour north of Santa Fe. The trail starts on an abandoned dirt road and immediately ascends before proceeding thru gentle juniper and sage brush covered hills. There are a few nice, if distant, vistas of Wheeler, Truchas and Chicoma peaks on the way to the abandoned mica mine. The mine shafts are shallow, only one is deeper than 5', but there are plenty of beautiful mica shards and quartz rocks in and around the mine shafts and even along the trail.
We'll return the way we came until we take a fork which ascends to a ridge line before descending to the Posi-ouinge ruins (note for repeat trekkers; this is new). The Posi-ouinge ruins are the remains of a 2000 room pueblo which was inhabited by Tewas around the 13th to 16th century. The ruins are just mounds now, but there are lots of pottery sherds, including some rare types made of micaceous clay.
The Ojo Caliente spa is located adjacent to the trail head, so people can enjoy a soak after the hike. In order to arrange driving, we'll need to know who plans on staying for a soak and who plans on leaving right after the hike. It's my understanding that the basic rate at the spa is $45 with additional perks available for an additional charge. But please confirm directly with the spa if you are interested in soaking.
What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers for warmth and water resistant outer wear.
Water for a 3.5+ hour hike.
Snacks and lunch
Meeting Place:
DEVARGAS. We will meet at Devargas Center, behind Albertsons but a little closer to the bowling alley. We leave promptly at the meeting time. If you are running late or your plans change at the last minute, please contact Ken at 248-252-0708.
Dogs: No dogs on this one.
Cost/Driving: Non-drivers are to contribute $10 for gas. Good roads the whole way.
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 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.