A New Section of the Challenge Trail Entices the Hoofers to Check It Out -- In Spite of the Deep Snow 4/15/2022

 When you don't want to do taxes, and especially when this year we were given until April 18th to get it done...you join up with a small group of hardy Happy Hoofers, led by Jean, and tackle a different type of hike. They began their outing meeting at the Tree Spring Trailhead knowing they’d be back to the cars for a short ride up the mountain after they met up with heavy snow on their trail. After a warm-up walk along Tree Spring to the turn off for the new Challenge Trail, the hearty group tramped in a mile to deep snow. They returned to cars & rode 2 miles up Crest Highway, parked & hoofed to the top piece of the newest section of the Challenge Trail. Most of this new route was slightly downhill after an elevated start & offered incredible views toward the northwest & touchable rock cliffs. After again encountering heavy snow on the trail, these hale Hoofers returned to start of this section of the trail & continued to Golden Eagle to the overlook of Sandia Ski Area. Descending, they crossed the Ski Area & moved on to an older section of the Challenge Trail. Following a relaxing lunch, the group conquered another ½ mile to a special marker before returning to their transportation. These dauntless nemophilists trekked 5.4 miles. (Carol snapped most of the photos.  Write up and Captions from Jean)

L to R---Lynda K., Annette, Carol, Judi P., Jan P., Leader: Jean (didn’t tackle a selfie--no comment on that by Rose.) :)

  Beginning trailhead sign

Lynda showing rest of group that this patch of snow could be crossed easily. Leader was not planning a crossing

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    The bunch decided to carefully follow her. A turnaround was soon called.

   Jan returning to dry trail.

  Annette, masked & color coordinated.

 Some Hoofers were very upset at (the) horse hoof deep marks dried in trail making it somewhat hazardous. Very little mushy mud was seen.

 View from an upper piece of recent section of Challenge Trail

Carol on Trail

   Amazing tree—one of several

  Jean, leading from behind, insisting that’s a management style 

(It must have been a treacherous part of the trail that she let everyone go before her so that she can see if anyone falls off the trail so she can stop and call for help! -- Rose)

Nature’s sculpture formed by wind, water, air & probably assisted by humans.

 Extensive, deep snow in a north facing canyon. Annette & Carol chose to explore. Carol made a snow angel while four of bunch marveled at their activity, glad that Jean hadn’t planned for all to continue since the end of the whitish, icy stuff couldn’t be viewed along the trail. Retreating time!

 More of the upper section-the only bloom noted was a barely blooming purple dwarf lousewort seen later.

More trail, more views, more chatting w/three moving on. (Did the rest of the group give up?  Wassup with that?!--  Rose)

Again, Nature’s art created by a tiny mammal w/soil as its media.

 Jean getting a pic of some lichen.

 Lichen which is a combo of algae & fungus. The fungus surrounds & grows into the algae. Lichen grows using water & air.

Moving into lower ski area.
 (Well of course the ski area has no snow at all!! -- Rose)

 Marking the start of an older section of the Challenge.

 Jan relaxing at lunch.

Judi is ready to roll. 

 Lynda is almost ready to continue.

 This unused, partially buried pipe in the middle of the trail marked the spot to return to cars. It left all wondering what had been its use? Another unknown about our amazing Sandia Mountains!