Fall Hike From Elena Gallegos to Domingo Baca Canyon October 9, 2020

Sally led a hike from Elena Gallegos Open Space across the foothills of the Sandia Mountains to Domingo Baca Canyon.  Tamara and Jean P.  took the pictures of their beautiful hike.  Fall is always the best time for that hike. The plan was to get to the top of the Waterfall...

According to Tamara's app they hiked about 5.8 miles- but her app kept cutting out on her.... so they could have hiked the 6 miles Sally said it would be... but who's counting.  Tamara wrote that it was a beautiful morning, but hot on the return.   Isn't that just like New Mexico!  They had nice Fall colors, but not too may flowers.  But Jean P. managed to take some pictures of the flowers and sent them to me... already identified...saving me the work!  Apparently they (in Tamara's words) "had a considerable amount of ‘butt time’ up and down the rocks- some said we would wear out our pants before our shoes!"  As expected in this year's drought there was "not a hint of water on this waterfall hike"  But apparently there was a  river of pine cones. 
      

There was a new bench at the start of the trail so the ladies took advantage of it for the group picture: Front row: Lynda, Jean P., and, our leader: Sally, Back row: Rita, Karen, and Barb

And, after a quick switch: Tamara: front and center

              

One of the very few wildflowers and proof of our NM drought 

Hiking through the open space to Domingo Baca

Always nice to get into some shade

A good place to stop for a drink and chat

This is one of my favorite hikes (but aren't they all?) 

Another group picture

and KUDOS for Tamara for doing a selfie... great job even if Barb is turning her back on it and we lost Jean altogether... But hey, at least Tamara tried!!!!

Lots of huge boulders in the foothills

Also a place to stop and admire the remains of the Herder's shelter

I am always happy to see it still standing

Heading deeper into the canyon

Ah, this must be the "Pinecone River" Tamara was talking about--it use to have water in it

Another view of the Pinecone river

What a beautiful hiking trail!

Now this is cool, a picture of Jean taking a picture of a reed-like plant (Equisetum) that you will see near the end of the blog posting

Hmm could this be the Poison Ivy patch?

Beautiful Fall colors

Must be time for lunch: Sally and Barb enjoying the respite

It looks like they made it to the top of the waterfall--Tamara, Jean and Lynda way in the back

Yep, Lynda is posing in front of the graffiti tree...definitely at the top of the waterfall, and I am pretty sure there is no water either

Rita and Karen taking their break... And I bet Karen is trying to play Pokemon!

Heading back down the canyon

Beautiful Aspen

One can always expect damage in the canyon

There are some difficult spots to maneuver on the way down

Wow, this looks new... quite the treefall

Heading back to the cars through the foothills

Always a great day when you are out hiking

The following pictures were sent by Jean, showing the Wildflowers they saw on the trail

Bear Grass (female)

Goldenrod

Bricklebush

Hairy Golden Aster

Globemallow

Goldenrod Puffs  (Goldenrod gone to seed)

Evening Primrose (more plant than flower)

Equisetum

Chamisa

Hairy Golden Aster

Poison Ivy

Rose hips

Showy Goldeneye

Snakeweed