NEW MEXICO’S SANTA FE-TAO HIKER An Inn-to-Inn, Hiking Adventure and Anasazi Ruin Exploratory in the Land of Enchantment
Join us for six days of backcountry travel as we explore by foot the trails of the Land of Enchantment.This enchanting region of the southwest is a unique blend of Native American, Mexican, Spanish and Anglo cultures.Throughout the trip time is allowed for visits to Indian pueblos, local crafts people, art galleries and for self-exploration.The trails we follow meander through varied landscapes from pristine wilderness areas and waterfall-filled box canyons to alpine tundra above tree line and into the heart of colourful canyon country. These inspirational surroundings have influenced poets, photographers and painters and will leave you awe-struck as we discover the region’s outstanding scenic beauty and relaxing slower-paced life in quaint New Mexican villages.Our June trips feature the colourful array of wildflowers and our September tours catch the aspens’ radiant fall foliage in their peak.The routes we have chosen to hike are 6-8 miles in length with elevation gains of 600-1000’, with more challenging options.For one looking for a bit more challenge, each day's route can be extended and include more difficult terrain.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Hike Atalaya Mountain, Inn on the Alameda Our group assembles at the Inn on the Alameda at 11:30 a.m. in Santa Fe.The inn is a lovely retreat peacefully set a few blocks from Santa Fe’s central plaza.The inn is primarily built of thick adobe and boasts a lovely communal area and library.The rooms are exquisite and decorated with handmade furniture and local artwork.For a special treat, enjoy a soak in one of the Alameda's open-air whirlpool spas. Following a short orientation on the week's adventures that await, we lace up the hiking boots for a hike up the panoramic Atalaya Mountain.From the mountainside we gaze across to distance peaks and the Santa Fe Valley.Tonight we enjoy cuisine in one of Santa Fe's fine restaurants.After dinner, we enjoy an evening exploring the enchanting streets that radiate from Santa Fe's central plaza. Atalaya Mountain Hike [4.5 miles; 700 feet of elevation gain, then loss] Shorter Option [3.5 miles; 600 feet of elevation gain, then loss]
DAY 2 Hike Pecos Wilderness, Inn on the Alameda The high country awaits and we are off for a hike in the Pecos Wilderness.We begin walking from the Santa Fe Ski Basin and ascend to a large open meadow close to tree line.The views are extraordinary as we stand at the base of Santa Fe Baldy Peak high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Dinner is enjoyed at Maria’s Restaurant, one of Santa Fe’s most renowned spots for authentic native cuisine. Puerto Nambe Trail [8 miles; 600 feet of elevation gain, then loss] Option:continue towards Baldy Peak [2 miles; 600 feet of elevation gain, loss]
DAY 3 Hike Bandelier National Monument, Abiquiu Inn Our hike today through Bandelier National Monument is unique as it starts high on top of Burnt Mesa, travels through a designated wilderness area, and drops into Frijoles Canyon, ending at the heart of an ancient civilisation.Bandelier National Monument, rugged canyon and mesa country, is on the Pajarito Plateau nestled at the base of the Jemez Mountains. In this scenic landscape, we will discover remnants of an Anasazi farming community that began eight centuries ago. The numerous ruins consist of unique cave rooms hewn out of soft tuff rock, houses built on the talus slopes, and a circular community village. After our hike, we head for Abiquiu, a quaint village that began as a Spanish settlement in the mid-eighteenth century and later became Georgia O’Keeffe’s home for many years. This evening we stay at the Abiquiu Inn, a lovely Bed & Breakfast constructed in 1880s southwest style. Frijoles Canyon [8 miles; approximately 1500 feet of elevation loss] Shorter option:Ceremonial Cave [4 miles]
Day 4 Hike Ghost Ranch, Casa Encantada After a hearty relaxed breakfast at Cafe Abiquiu, we shuttle to the unforgettable Ghost Ranch.As steep, pastel-colored cliffs come into view, you will be nearing Georgia O’Keeffe’s home.Our hikes to Box Canyon and Kitchen Mesa feature this unique canyon backdrop and showcase the area’s native plants and animals.Hiking through this beautiful country, you experience first-hand the inspiration behind many of O’Keeffe’s paintings. For those who prefer not to hike today, the morning is yours to explore the Ghost Ranch on your own. Following lunch and a tour of the ranch’s museum and gallery, we’ll head to Taos.Our hideaway for the next two nights is the Casa Encantada Bed & Breakfast. This beautiful inn is set on a quiet back street just a few blocks from Taos' central plaza.Built in the southwest tradition, the Casa Encantada features an adobe-walled garden courtyard and fireplaces in many of the rooms. Moderate Hike: Kitchen Mesa [4 miles; 900 feet of elevation gain, then loss]Easy Hike: Box Canyon [3 miles]
DAY 5 Hike in Carson National Forest. Casa Encantada Our day begins with a hearty home-cooked breakfast.We then move north into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.Beginning at the Taos Ski Valley, we spend the day hiking in the Carson National Forest. We'll explore in the company of our guest naturalist, Del Dubois who is an invaluable source of southwest lore. Along our hike, Del will discuss ghost stories dating back to the first Spanish settlers, special geological insights into the Rio Grande drainage, and western folklore of mountain men such as Kit Carson and Cerain St. Vrain. Our beautiful alpine loop hike begins with a jaunt up the lovely Long Canyon.Our destination is the expansive alpine tundra set at the base of Gold Mountain.During lunch, we have access to breathtaking views and discover a kaleidoscope of brilliant wildflowers in the early summer and the brilliant golden glow of aspens in the fall.An after-lunch option is to climb a short distance up Gold Mountain, one of New Mexico’s highest points at 12,711 feet.We will return via the seldom-travelled Bull of Woods trail. The afternoon is free for you to explore Taos' galleries and hidden hideaways on the narrow and crooked back streets. Bull of Woods Trail [upto 7 miles;upto 2000 feet of elevation gain, then loss] Moderate Option:Long Canyon / Bull of Woods Loop [8 miles; 2500 feet of elevation gain, then loss] Additional Option:Gold Mountain [additional 2 miles; additional 1000 feet of elevation gain, then loss]
DAY 6 Hiking Wild Rivers Recreation Area A quick shuttle takes us to the Wild Rivers Recreation Area where we take part in a classic hike into the deep inner gorge of the Rio Grande River Canyon.Along the way to our trailhead, we take in the numerous overlooks into this stunning gorge.A fitting end to our New Mexico rambling is at La Junta Point, a viewpoint suspended high above the confluence of the free flowing Rio Grande and Red Rivers. An afternoon shuttle returns us to Santa Fe at approximately 5:00 p.m. where our trip concludes. Wild Rivers Recreation Area Loop Hike [4.3 miles;800 feet of elevation loss, then gain]
TOUR DETAILS
Inn-to-Inn Trip: 6 days/5 nights Trip Level: Moderately Easy to Moderate Gateway City: Albuquerque, NM Meeting Time & Place: 11:30 a.m., Inn on the Alameda, 303 E. Alameda St., Santa Fe. Please plan to arrive at the inn at the designated meeting time, and not earlier, for the convenience of the innkeeper.We recommend you have lunch before you arrive and come prepared to hike immediately following the orientation. We suggest that you wear comfortable hiking boots with ankle support and wool socks coupled with a thin liner sock. Trip Conclusion: 5:00 p.m., Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe. Trip Fees Include: All meals (dinner Day 1-lunch Day 6), all accommodations (double occupancy), T-shirt, support vehicle, historical information packet, park and national forest fees, guest naturalist, and professional naturalist guides.
