We try to get out at least once a week to enjoy a day hike somewhere in the area. It’s so reviving to the soul, especially in these winter days with short daylight hours and overcast skies. Yesterday we looked at our busy schedule, realized that we hadn’t yet fit in a hike this week and decided that today we would hike, even with a less than promising weather forecast. Well, those plans changed this morning when I looked out the kitchen window at the wintery landscape across the road. This storm that has settled in isn’t going anywhere soon so we won’t get in our hike this week.
I know you are all disappointed that you won’t get to see another series of my hiking excursion photos. If you want to look at some photos, I recommend checking out this site.
A local Albuquerque couple had more luck at the Apache del Bosque Wildlife Refuge in Socorro than we did on our trip there last week. The photos that they shared are what we would have seen if we were in the right place at the right time. Better luck next time, both for a future visit to the refuge and for a day hike around Albuquerque.
Thursday we joined a group of ASCHG hikers who were making the trek up Chupadera Peak, a 9-1/2 mile round trip hike on the Chupadera National Recreation Trail in Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge. Rather than ride with the group in the city van, we arranged to meet them at the trailhead. With our own transportation, we then had the option of spending more time in the Socorro area.
First half of Chupadera Trail is a long trek across the desert from the wildlife refuge to the Chupadera Mountains.The blue strip in the distance behind us is the wetlands of the wildlife refuge.Starting approach to Chupadera Mountains.Trail goes through a small canyon.Looking southeast, I-25 highway is the line visible in the distance.Less than a mile around this hill and up another ridge to get to the top.At the top of Chupadera Peak.View north from Chupadera Peak.View east towards Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge.
We finished the Chupadera hike with just enough time to get to the Apache del Bosque visitor center before it closed. Our plan was to drive into the refuge at sunset and find a place to view the evening fly-in when the snow geese and sandhill crane flocks come in from feeding in the surrounding fields to nest overnight in the wetlands of the refuge. The volunteer at the desk answered our questions about timing but I guess we should have also asked about the best viewing area. We assumed we would see the fly-in from any of the many locations along the roads in the refuge. We had a nice view of the sunset from where we parked but didn’t see any of the flocks. It was only on our way out, when it was almost dark, that we came upon a big crowd of people near a pond that was filled with cranes settling in for the night.
Sunset at Apache del Bosque Wildlife Refuge. Where are all the birds?
Yesterday we ventured east of Socorro on the Quebradas Backcounty Byway. Various pullovers along this 24-mile unpaved road provide parking areas for getting out on foot and exploring the rugged, eroded desert landscape. There aren’t any marked trails, but Lee had been on a hike here before with the ASCHG group and knew where to park for a hike in the Arroyo del Tajo. Not a manmade trail, but natural forces of erosion provide many paths like this wash that we could follow to explore the Quebradas backcountry. You have to like geology to enjoy views on this hike. Erosion exposes rock layers.
Looks like someone spilled a paint can on these rocks. Looks like a road in the distance but it’s the wash that we were hiking up. Through a small slot canyon.
Looking west from a view at the top of the canyon. Socorro visible in the distance.
The Socorro area doesn’t have the spectacular mountains that we see around Albuquerque and Santa Fe, but for us two desert rats who like geology and the flora and fauna of Chihuahuan desert scrub habitat it’s a great place to spend a couple of days in mid-December. Especially when you consider that much of the country is now shivering in the winter cold.
Living Wonderously 