Helene led us on our climb up the South Ridge of the Sandia Mountains. We began at the Canyon Estates Trailhead and followed trail #130 South Crest Trail, which was a steady uphill climb to the intersection of that trail and trail #195, Faulty Trail as well as the old CCC which leads to South Peak. At this point we stopped for lunch at the clearing then proceeded to do the Faulty Trail loop (Upper and Lower Faulty Trails) which brought us back over the Travertine Falls we saw at the beginning of the hike. The hike should have been about 5.5 miles. Although some of the FitBits and Cell phones were claiming 6 to 7 miles. You know how we like to take the longest mileage...but I will leave that up to the individual Hoofer as to what bragging details they want to claim.
According to the Senior Citizens web page the elevation gain was ~1064 feet with a total uphill of 1099 feet. The average grade was 9% The Trail was packed dirt and gravelly in many sections and our favorite part of the Trail was when we made the hairpin turn back down Lower Faulty as it was smooth and covered with pine needles making the trail nice and soft. We saw many changes along the trail from the last time we did this hike.... especially near the Marijuana Tree as there is now a new and bigger than ever smoking hut/shelter that was recently built... check out the pictures to see that!
 |
| Six Hoofers showed up: Helene, our leader, Judy A., Annie, Mary M., Karen B., and... |
 |
| Rose. It was cold and windy at the trailhead...but once in the canyon it was beautiful for hiking! Note: ABQ 4 hikers, Placitas 2--but who's counting? |
 |
| The largest Ponderosa Pine on the trail |
 |
| Beautiful Blue Skies |
 |
| Heading up the Trail |
 |
| The Travertine Falls, with barely a trickle |
 |
| The Caves by the fall with a lot of downed wood |
 |
| We decided to climb up this shortcut by the falls as there was a pretty good path this time |
 |
| Better view of the trickling waterfall as I climbed past it |
 |
| At the top I get a shot of Karen climbing...her first hike since her busy winter of skiing |
 |
| We saw a few wildflowers. All Bladderpods |
 |
| This tree looks like it is hugging itself |
 |
| We reach the Marijuana Tree...wanted Kelly to be sure to see this. (No reason wink wink) |
 |
| Annie and I explore the newly built extra large smoking hut, and poses for me as she takes a "puff" |
 |
| I was impressed with the workmanship of the walls and roof |
 |
| Some parts of the wall were piled rocks |
 |
| Even wood beams to hold up the roof |
 |
| Some tree trunks formed another section of wall |
 |
| Either this part was unfinished or provided a quick escape path up the hill |
 |
| The back wall |
 |
| Looking out from the doorway |
 |
| Back to hiking Judy posed along the pretty colorful trail |
 |
| This whole first section was nothing but up |
 |
| Karen feels the different muscles between hiking and skiing. She was also recovering from sciatica -- she was quite the trooper! |
 |
| As we all were...somehow the early spring hikes are a bit more challenging |
 |
| Views along the trail |
 |
| More up than we remembered |
 |
| A Dwarf Lousewort...not quite blooming |
 |
| Finally at the top we stop for lunch...Karen did not eat but played Pokemon |
 |
| Annie |
 |
| Mary M. |
 |
| Judy A. and Mary M. |
 |
| Our leader Helene |
 |
| And of course Rose |
 |
| Continuing the Hike north along Faulty Trail |
 |
| Catching a picture of the rest of the Hoofers |
 |
| More views on the trail |
 |
| This would have made a nice place for lunch...I am concerned about that young sapling planted too close to that boulder |
 |
| At this altitude, we only had remnant snow |
 |
| Finally reaching the hairpin turnaround on Faulty which would lead us back to the Travertine Falls |
 |
| Beautiful, nice, smooth trail |
 |
| And lots of downhill! |
 |
| We saw some beautiful healthy yuccas |
 |
| Virtually a Yucca Garden |
 |
| A glimpse of the Oritiz Mountains |
 |
| Twisted trunks on this Juniper |
 |
| Trail starts becoming rocky again |
 |
| And the downhill starts getting steeper |
 |
| And Steeper |
 |
| I start seeing some more Bladderpods on the way down |
 |
| They must love this south facing slope |
 |
| We finally reach the bottom and start the trek back to the cars |
 |
| This tree is literally growing out of the rock face |
 |
| I was amazed at its twisted roots |
 |
| The lack of soil did not seem to hinder its growth |
 |
Another great hike and a beautiful day to do it!
KEEP ON HOOFING LADIES
LOVE TO SEE MORE OF YOU BACK ON THE TRAILS! |
No comments:
Post a Comment