Hiking La Luz and the Foothills Trail 2/16/2018

First time leading the Hoofers, Carol W. picked a great hike.  We started at the La Luz Trailhead, walked a mile up the trail and then veered off onto the Foothills Trail.  We continued for another 1 1/2 miles where we took the loop to the Springs and made our return after stopping for lunch at a nice spot that had several nice rocks to sit on.  It was a very good hike in that it had its ups and downs coming and going, which gave us a great workout, helping us get in shape for another year of hiking the trails!  Weather was great, and we had great views of the recent snow further up on the mountains.

The Hoofers: Sally, Annette, Jean R., Karen, Ginny, Helene, Our leader: Carol W., and Jennise's guest: Carol, (Jennise had to work at the last moment but Carol came anyway!)

and of course, Rose

Heading out

The base of La Luz Trail is awesome with all the huge boulders

After a little climb, the Hoofers stop for a breather and a look at the view.

This piece of wood caught my eye

The day is a bit overcast so the pictures are a bit dark

Thought I would take a selfie while I had the chance

No flowers this time of year, but the remnants of last year still make a nice picture

Several Mountain Mahogany (aka Palo Duro) bushes on the trail

They are from the Rose Family and have the distinctive feather-like plumes attached to the fruit capsule

We turned off La Luz and continued on the Foothills Trail

Turning around I got a nice shot of the snow at the top of the Sandia Mountains

While taking the pictures the Hoofers turned a bend and I was alone on the trail...just me and my shadow

Views from the trail

Western foothills and Four Hills in the distance

Nice healthy looking Prickly Pear

A small pond of water captured in a depression on a rock

Meeting a fellow hiker and his buddies

Enjoying the camaraderie during a water break 

A larger depression providing water for the wildlife

There was a lot of downhill along this trail, which meant there would be a lot of uphill on the way back 

Making the loop at the spring; the remains of a forest service cabin

The spring providing water for the wildlife

A very small meditation spiral

Lunchtime! Annette and I share a rock

Jean R, guest Carol, and our leader Carol W.

Ginny

Helene, Sally, and Karen

Climbing back up towards La Luz a shot over my shoulder

Clouds start rolling in

Taking a few more breathers on the way back

Of course once we hit La Luz it's downhill the rest of the way

A final shot on this great hike!