Tag: buckman mesa

Buckman Mesa and Otowi Peak

We enjoyed our first time hiking up Buckman Mesa and Otowi Peak today. The mesa is a small plateau beside the Rio Grande west of Santa Fe. Otowi Peak is on top of the mesa and provides panoramic views of the surrounding area. This is BLM land so there is no trail signage, but the trail is well-marked with rock cairns making it very easy to follow.

A 10-mile, washboard-rutted, dirt road leads to the banks of the Rio Grande and the trailhead up the mesa. The hike starts with about a half-mile of walking up a dry wash, where a rock cairn marks the place to climb out of the wash and begin the ascent of the mesa.

At the banks of the Rio Grande.
At the banks of the Rio Grande.

Heading towards Buckman Mesa.
Heading towards Buckman Mesa.
The dry wash that is the first half-mile of the "trail."
The dry wash that is the first half-mile of the “trail.”
Starting ascent of mesa, looking back at the dry wash we walked up.
Starting ascent of mesa, looking back at the dry wash we walked up.
One of the more artistic rock cairns.
One of the more artistic rock cairns.
On top of Buckman Mesa, heading towards Otowi Peak.
On top of Buckman Mesa, heading towards Otowi Peak.
Ascending Otowi Peak.
Ascending Otowi Peak.
View east to Santa Fe ski area.
View east to Santa Fe ski area.
View north to Black Mesa and beyond.
View north to Black Mesa and beyond.
View west to Los Alamos, Pajarito Plateau, and Jemez Mountains.
View west to Los Alamos, Pajarito Plateau, and Jemez Mountains.
View south to White Rock.
View south to White Rock.