With the snow fading fast, and no real need to actually snowshoe on the trails at the top of Sandia Peak, the Hoofers, led by Bronwyn, decide to get some "real" exercise and climb the Three Guns Trail from the Monticello subdivision up to the saddle where the Embudo Canyon Trail ends. I do mean exercise, I forgot how steep this climb was but an accomplishment for sure...getting in shape for the hikes to come after all the Holiday partying.
Three Guns Spring Trail gets its name after the legend that 3 Spanish Conquistador pistols were found in the area, and the spring which decades ago had a wooden trough with the carved image of three pistols --which has long since disappeared.
This hike starts at an elevation of 6,320 feet and to the Saddle we climb to ~ 8,120 feet in just over 2 miles. Short but not so sweet! On the way up we passed by the Three Guns Spring but decided not to take the trail to it, but to just head up the mountain. On the way back we took the much-deserved option to hike down the arroyo which is easier on the knees since the descent was not as steep.
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| Moi, happy to be out in the sunshine of New Mexico in the dead of winter |
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| The Hikers: Bronwyn, our leader, Jean, Bridget, Brigitte, Jane, Jennise, and Jan |
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| Our first rest stop -- time to peel off some layers |
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| Heading off again... doesn't look steep at all, but this trail is a steady climb |
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| Vista of South Peak...I've climbed that twice now...wondering if I will do it again this year. |
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| Nice rock formation...to the top of that peak is the Hawk Watch Trail definitely on my bucket list |
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| Getting high enough now to see some of the vistas to the south |
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| Some remnant snow |
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| Beginning the switchbacks where the trail really gets steeper |
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| More views looking south |
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| Taking a break as we get higher up the trail |
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| The trail is quite pretty up here with the beginning of the Ponderosa trees and the larger boulders |
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| Passing by a large Ponderosa pine |
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| Finally make it to the saddle where Embudo trail meets Three guns. Because there is more snow AND MUD we decided to stop here and have lunch before heading back |
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| A beautiful lunch spot with a great view (Jennise, Brigitte, and Bronwyn) |
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| The weather was great....however with the warm weather I had an allergy attack, yet still managed to take some pictures (Jane and Jan) | |
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| Between sneezes (Rose and Jean) |
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| Bridget and Bronwyn enjoying the view of Tijeras Canyon |
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| The Hikers--I just realized that everyone on the hike had a name beginning with either B or J...except me (Rose) I guess I just like to point out how I stand out in a crowd! |
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| A few more pictures before heading back |
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| South view of the Manzano Mountains in the distance |
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| Heading back |
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| Close up of the pictures before and after this one of a cool looking rock imbedded in the boulder |
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| The hike in the Arroyo |
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| Another great hike for the Blog!!! |
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