Hiking the B and D Trail in Placitas

Betty led us on a hike through Placitas on a trail that she and our newest Hoofer, Darlene, have claimed as their own...thus the "B and D Trail". It was a short hike for a hot day and easy enough for some of the Hoofers who need to do something a bit easier these days.  Even those of us who like the harder trails enjoyed the hike, the scenery, and the special little critter we found along the trail!

The Hoofers: Rose, Pat, Judy A. Mary B. Darlene, our newest Hoofer, Helene, Betty, our leader, Annette, Judy S., Mary M., Karen C., and Marilyn

Leaving from Darlene's house down the road...

...to the gravel road...

...past the Hobbit House ...

...along the row of rocks and cairns...

...bearing right after the cairns...

...to the trail!

Hiking down

Hiking up

To the Chalk Dust trail which we hike for a short while

Climbing up again

Pausing for a breather...

...and a drink... 

enjoying the flora

and the views!

Climbing again

and hiking down

while passing dead wood

Most of the times we followed our leader, but there is always someone in the crowd who likes to blaze their own way

Finally we reached the abandoned gravel road that led to the top of one of Placitas' many hills--so we climb again

It's a long way up

but beats the steep path we could have taken on the other side of this hill

and this way had better views

Finding the gate at the top we head towards the trail along the ridge

Passing the few brilliant yellow flowers we saw

Not to be outdone by the Dagger Chollas which look extremely deadly

Reaching the top we stop to enjoy more of the views

The beautiful colors of the New Mexico Desert

And the far distant mesas 

Walking along the ridge we enjoy the view of the Sandia Mountains and foothills

Returning back down the road

Some of the Hoofers walked right past this little guy until I came by and pointed him out

He really wasn't that little

But he was very friendly ...not shaking his rattle or coiling to pounce on anyone, especially me who was taking all these pictures 

Heading past some beautiful turquoise colored deposits

Going down was so much easier than climbing up

Passing through an arroyo 

People in Placitas love to build cairns along the trails

Darlene told us that this "machine" was used to build the first roads in Placitas

I have no idea what this machine is or how it works, but I took her word for it

One last picture of the Hobbit House

A perfect ending for a delightful hike