Day 1, January 4:
Last Saturday Debbie and I hiked Pino trail in Elena Gallegos. It’s about 9.5 miles RT with a 2,762 ft elevation gain. We hit some snow and ice but we’re prepared with micro-spikes. And poles. They came in handy.
Also coming in handy we’re palmiers and donuts at the trailhead. Wildlife personnel were there handing them out and informing us that it was deer hunting season – archery only.
I met some hunters afterwards by my car and was told that only 50 permits are granted for the entire west and east side of the mountain. No wonder we saw no one. Plus, I’m sure they stay well away from the trails and talky hikers.
We had a glorious day – only windy at the top.
Very comfortable hiking, as the elevation gain is pretty gradual. Sure. Tell that to my calves which hurt for the next 4 days!
Day 2, Wednesday, January 8:
Sandia Tram with my brother Tom and his partner, Donna, visiting from RI…
Views from the tram…
Up top Tom and I took a little hike.
Tom and I separated at one point, taking different routes. When we met up he said, “There’s a big white couch o er there.” I’m thinking he’s pulling my leg and it’s a snow covered ledge…
Day 3, Saturday, January 11:
Three Gun Trail, also known as Tres Pistolas, also as Three Gun Spring Trail…to Embudito Trail. This is on the south side, just north of I40 at Carmel, which seems like a great little community.
This puppy is steep! Charlie and I could really feel it and took multiple short breaks. It’s about 8 miles (per All Trails), with 2,316 elevation gain.
At one point I asked some folks heading down how far they’d gone. The woman replied, “Til I was about ready to cry.” The guy said, just up to the Victory Stick, which is where Embudito Trail comes in.
Legs are fine today! Must hike these long and steep trails regularly so my first days hiking in France don’t hurt.
Training makes a difference!
Shared Illusions 
Wow, Paula! This is impressive! I’ve done both of those hikes — and Kent and I need to start getting out if we are going to do the Vezélay this spring. I have lovely memories of being high on the Pino in the snow (I was all alone) and seeing deer. Another time Kent and I went up La Cienega, maybe, to the Crest Trail. I said, look for a place to sit, and he called back “I found a seat!” And there was a lawn chair perched right on the edge of the escarpment! We have spikes now, too, that we bought for tramping around icy streets in Norway a year ago. Got up to the victory stick once when it was knee-deep in snow. We couldn’t go any farther. I’ve also gone from there back down embudito and vice versa, and over to Oso Pass and back — and up Embudo and down Tres Pistolas. I look at South Peak and wonder if I’ll ever get there again. Alas, I’m not in my 60s any more!
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Bonjour Paula- et merci – for this inspiring -reportage – Buen camino.
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Paula,I really enjoyed your post finding the local beauty while sharing it with Tom and Donna. You took them and us to areas mostly viewed from a distance in town and brought it up close and personal. Loved the white couch.
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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Some 20s fun in costume for the dance
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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