Another one of our newest Hoofers, Marilyn, takes up the reins to lead us on a new hike (for me at least). I have been to part of the Strip Mine Trail, but never doing a loop. We hiked about 2 1/2 miles up the Strip Mine Trail with an elevation gain of ~ 1500 feet. We returned via footpaths where we were treated to some great vistas of the Rio Grande Valley where we had glimpses of Mt. Taylor, the Jemez Mountains, White Mesa, Cabezon, and the Sangre de Cristos. The complete hike was about 6 miles.
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| The Hoofers: Front: Marilyn (our leader), Annette, Missy, Karen. Back: Joan (Marilyn's Guest), Annie (one hike away from being a Hoofer), Kathleen, Linda, Jean R., Barb, Carol, Mary M. Judy A., and... |
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| yours truly: Rose |
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| Heading out on a bright and sunny morning |
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| New signage marking the trails |
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| Views along the trail |
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| Large rock that looked like slate--where is Julianne, our geologist, when you need her? |
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| Looking back at the awesome views! |
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| More beautiful vistas |
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| We did some climbing, but that just helped us stay warm on this brisk morning |
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| Looking deep into the Sandia Mountain Range |
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| We came across the most magnificent cairn we have ever seen! |
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| Note the window near the top where you can see through |
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| And, yes, that top rock is balanced perfectly--I checked, no glue was used in the building of this cairn! |
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| Obviously I was very impressed with all the pictures I took |
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| View of the snow covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains |
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| Best dressed award goes to Mary M. as she was sporting her new shoelaces that were tied-dyed ! |
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| Heading back down the mountain on our way to our lunchspot |
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| Coming down the mountain I noticed the Sandia Stonehenge probably built by the hiker who built the previously seen cairn |
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| Apparently many of the Hoofers missed seeing this |
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| Zooming in on Cabezon in the far distance |
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| After lunch photos: Missy and Judy A. |
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| Rose and Karen |
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| Jean R. |
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| Kathleen, Linda, and Annette |
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| Carol, Marilyn, Barb and Mary M. |
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| Joan and Annie |
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| Continuing our descent after lunch (Jemez Mountains in the distance) |
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| Once again the Jemez Mountains and to the left is White Mesa |
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| And further south, Mount Taylor topped with snow |
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| Lava flows |
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| A more typical carin which explains why I was so impressed before |
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| Caliche-covered boulders |
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| The colorful hills of New Mexico |
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| Views of the Sandia Mountains |
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| Zooming in on the snow remaining on the north faces of the Sandias |
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Cacti often turns red in the winter...just part of our colorful Southwest
KEEP ON HOOFING! |
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