Mountain Cathedrals May Hike - Tapia Canyon

This is a journey into the Old West of the upper Rio Puerco country. Our route to the trailhead includes 25 miles of unpaved roads around Cabezon Peak and many other volcanic necks. Tapia Canyon is a sandstone canyon that includes numerous petroglyphs, a natural bridge and arch, slot canyons, and ruins. Somehow walking in this space reminds us, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3). Let us tread gently in this wilderness, recognizing that it is significant to several tribes as well as others.
Logistics: Although the hike itself is only moderately strenuous, let's meet in the St. John's UMC (Albuquerque) east parking lot at 7:30 to allow for driving time (about two hours each way). Bring a solid lunch and snacks, as well as sun protection and plenty of water. We should be back at St. John's by 5:00. Please contact me if you want to meet us at the trailhead or an intermediate point.
Note: If this area has significant precipitation in the week prior, or if the weather turns very hot, we will change our hike to the northern Faulty Trail in the Sandia Mountains for a GPS-guided hunt for medallion trees - a walk through history as well as through the mountains. The road into Tapia Canyon can be impassible after heavy rain.
Please join us for this hike of meditation, wilderness, and time apart from our normal schedules.
Organizer: Mike Furnish, 505-440-7292; [mdfurnish@comcast.net.](mailto:mdfurnish@comcast.net)
The next hike will be on June 14th (medallion tree hunt on the north Faulty Trail).