The Santa Fe Hiking Meetup Group cover photo

The Santa Fe Hiking Meetup Group

4.9•10322 ratings

Santa Fe, NM, US

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About us

Greetings!
On behalf of all the organizers of the Santa Fe Hiking Meetup group – welcome! We have a fantastic bunch of people, you’ll find everyone friendly and fun to hike with, and we think you will really enjoy the hikes. Meet other local hiking enthusiasts and those who are dedicated to hiking excursions near and far!

Browse around on our site in the Pages section and take a look at our information about hiking preparation, etiquette, safety, and gear – good preparation for hiking with our group.

Everyone's pace is different and we want everyone to have fun. Should you find yourself on a hike that is too fast or too slow for you, your fun-factor is diminished. When using terms like “moderate” and “strenuous” each person interprets these terms differently. We want you to know what to expect from a hike and have the most amount of fun, so we have established a method to get everyone using the same guidelines. Read our Hike Ratings for more information.

If you would like to donate to our group Paypal dave@nets.com. Thanks!

We look forward to hiking with you.
Happy Hiking!
The Santa Fe Hiking Meetup organizers

Upcoming events

2

Bobcatting the Burnt Mesa Great Kiva and Eagle Traps Loop
Tue, May 5 · 8:00 AM MDT
MarketStreet/Albertsons DeVargas (NOT the entry side), Behind on Sabino Street, Santa Fe, NM, US
Description: Bobcatting the Burnt Mesa Great Kiva and Eagle Traps Loop
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 5.5-6.0 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 4 hours
Elevation: 7000’-7300’’
Rating: Moderate+

Please be considerate of others and do not RSVP for this hike if you cannot go up and down Atalaya in under 3 hours. This helps us to stay together as a group, enhancing the hiking experience for everyone. It is not about competition, but cooperation. COVID vaccination and compliance with CDC rules on quarantine and isolation are required (I.e., don't attend if you have Covid!). This is a group event and participants are expected to stay with the group. No firearms or commercial solicitations.

Hike Description: Burnt Mesa is located in Bandelier National Monument about 1 hour from Santa Fe. We’ll follow the main Burnt Mesa trail thru a grassland with nice views of the surrounding mountains and a decent collection of spring wildflowers. We’ll then cut cross country to get to the ruins of the great kiva, which we’ll take some time to explore. We’ll next follow the edge of a canyon, walking off trail on tuff, until we get to a manageable descent, where we’ll cross the canyon. We’ll then follow a faded trail to the eagle traps and return on a mix of faded trails, off-trail grasslands and the main Burnt Mesa trail, with several stops for small ruins.

NOTE: Much of this is off trail, on tuff or grasslands. The tuff formations have little exposure but may require some scrambling (i.e., using your hands to secure some ascents). The grasses have a variety of prickly seeds which will stick to your socks but are not really sharp or painful, just annoying. Consider long pants or gaiters.

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outerwear
Water for a 3+ hour hike.
Lunch and snacks

Meeting Place: DEVARGAS, behind Market Street (i.e., towards Saint Francis) but a little closer to the bowling alley. We leave promptly at the meet time, so contact me at 248-252-0708 if you are running late.

Dogs: No dogs, per Bandelier rules.

Cost/Driving: Car-pooling is up to attendees. Non-drivers are to contribute $10 for gas.

Cancelling. Please be courteous and if your plans change, promptly remove yourself from the 'go' (or wait) list so others can adjust their calendars. If you don't know how to remove yourself from the go (or wait) list, contact me and I'll do it for you.

Waiver and Release. By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from all liability arising from the Event and assumes all risks of the Event, including: 1) injuries from falls, living things, pre-existing health conditions, vehicles, and weather, and 2) injuries resulting from the Event Leaders making risky or inapt decisions including not undertaking the least risky option available (e.g., hiking a steep slope instead of a gentle slope) or not treating an injury in the optimal way (e.g., due to insufficient training or inept execution). The preceding sentence supplements any other applicable exculpatory arrangement.
12 attendees
Piedra Lumbre Spire
Sun, May 10 · 8:30 AM MDT
Behind Albertson's, De Vargas Mall, Santa Fe, NM, US
Please read the entire event description.

Hike the Colorado Plateau adjacent to Ghost Ranch to a land mark spire high above it all with great 360 degree views.

Photo Gallery

DISTANCE/ASCENT/TERRAIN/COMMITMENT/TYPE: Estimated 4 to 5 miles and 1100 feet total ascent. This is primarily a cross country route with shot bits of trail and arroyo walking. There are some minor sections of scrambling and a section of perceived exposure where care needs to be taken. This means that there is no real risk of falling but some may find it unnerving. Commitment is moderate and it is an out and back route.

RED TAPE/HAZARDS: We will park at the rest area along Highway 84. Cars locked and valuables out of sight. The primary hazard on all hikes are falls.

HIKE LOCATION: USFS land adjacent to Ghost Ranch

PETS: No pets.

EFFORT/HIKE TIME: Strenuous due to frequent ups and downs and rough terrain. Estimated hike time is 4 to 5 hours. Most active people can do this hike. All attendees in the past were over in the age range of 65 to 82 years old.

Hikers should be able to hike Picacho Peak in 140 minutes.
Picacho Peak

Event and hike times are estimates. It is wise to not schedule anything important or set a time limit due to other commitments.

HISTORY: The host has hiked this route 3 times between 2018 and 2022.

GEAR:
-2 liters of water is considered a minimum. More food than you expect to need.
-Light, quick drying, warmth layers, extra pair of socks.
-Good and tested rain gear.
-Headlamp and spare batteries, whistle or noise making device.
-Phone with optional mapping software or a paper map and compass.
-Optional personal locater beacon or InReach device.
-Long pants and hiking poles are recommended.

HIKER RESPONSIBILITY: Hikers are responsible for reading and understanding the entire trip description and getting clarification if needed. Hikers have total responsibility for their safety and well being and assign no liability to the host or any other participant. Passengers assume risk of transport to and from the trailhead. Drivers assume responsibility for safe practice behind the wheel. Do not sign onto this hike if you are not capable of meeting minimum requirements. If any hiker at any time feels that they cannot continue for any reason, they should say so. In that case the hike will be modified but distance and climb may increase based on commitment. Treat hiking companions with respect and keep belongings close at all times.

The hosts advises hikers to keep phone numbers of emergency contacts available.

HOW WE HIKE: Stay together. Be within sight or earshot at all times. If hikers need to stop for anything please say so and the group stops also. Stop at all junctions or any place that looks like one. The hike host provides the route. If travel is cross country, please take your own line where needed. In loose or rough terrain we keep a distance between each other to avoid debris from falling on us. All follow the host and and can provide collaborative input but the route will not be changed unless there is need as determined by conditions or discomfort of participants. Note that any route change may result in longer distances and/or climbs for everyone.

TRANSPORTATION: 116 miles and 2 hours round trip. Bring $17.00 to pay your driver.
Driving Map

CONDITIONS Required: 24 hours dry weather and 40% or less chance of precipitation required, High winds forecasted may modify or cancel.

Forecast

CANCELLATION or CHANGES: The trip could be modified or cancelled at short notice. Check this description 12 and 2 hours before meet time.
10 attendees

Past events

4871

Organizers

Dave Gold and 22 others

Dave G. and 2 others are Super Organizers

Members

5,505

Related topics

Social Networking