Sunday Burro Hike - La Vega

PLEASE NOTE 9:30 START TIME.

A NOD TO RISING GAS PRICES: PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO OFFER YOUR DRIVER A COUPLE OF DOLLARS TO OFFSET GAS COST. DRIVERS CAN REFUSE MONEY FROM RIDERS, BUT I ASK THAT ALL RIDERS REMEMBER TO MAKE THE OFFER. THANK YOU.

Thanks to Linda D. who suggested this destination to me for this Memorial Day Sunday; if you've not yet been, I highly recommend you joining us, it's one of the Best Meadows I've ever visited. If you can't make it, don't fret, I'll offer it again in July or August, it's a Group Favorite.

Let's return to one of our very favorite higher altitude, summer destinations. The Meadow/La Vega, at the base of Santa Fe Baldy. We'll begin at the top of the Ski Basin, at the picnic table, up the Winsor Trail for a steady 3/4 mile climb to the Wilderness Gate (this is probably the hardest part of the route & it seems to get harder to me each year!) Through the gate, and straight ahead, a mild descent for a while, past the cut-off trail on the right up to Nambe Lake, until we get to our trail on the left, going down towards La Vega (The Meadow). A few water crossings are involved along our route, none difficult, altho this does depend on just how much water is flowing in the creek. La Vega is a beautiful meadow, in the shadow of Santa Fe Baldy, where we will have our snack/lunch break. Back the same way we came, for a total of an about 7.5 mile hike. Not difficult in terrain, but a bit longer than our usual hikes, with a few not steep but steady climbs. Hikers need to be acclimated to altitude and in sturdy condition for this route.

Let's all hope that the flies we contended with last Spring are not hanging out there now!

Burro Hikes are for experienced hikers, acclimated to altitude; they are considered moderate in difficulty by our standards, typically 4-7 miles, on designated trails, unless otherwise specified. Well behaved, non-aggressive dogs are always welcome on my hikes.

Newcomers are welcome on my hikes; I do ask that newcomers please test their fitness prior to hiking with my Group by timing themselves hiking up and down Atalaya: to be a good fit for the Burro Group, you should be able to go up and down Atalaya (from Wilderness Gate or staircase, using Steep route option) in 3 1/2 hours or less. For more information about this, or about my hikes in general, please feel free to contact me.

My cell phone number is 617-331-1838.

We carpool together to all THs. Please arrive at our meeting place (DeVargas Mall parking lot, in the back lot, behind the stores; park in a lane near the bowling alley, but not right up against the mall wall. Be considerate of those on waiting list & sign off hike as soon as you know you are unable to attend, preferably 12-24 hours in advance, when possible. PLEASE DO NOT NO SHOW. Repeated No Shows have consequences! We tend to leave promptly, so if you're running just a bit late, text me, & we'll wait up to 5 minutes for you.

Please offer your driver $2 to cover gas expense for this hike.