Join Derek Wallentinsen on this exciting, scenic adventure for humanists who are outdoors lovers.
RSVP: wallythered@gmail.com
Please let me know if you are going. Keep me informed if your plans change so I know what to expect on the day of the hike. Promise of inclement weather will cancel this adventure; I’ll send a message to people who wanted to go if this happens.
MEETING PLACE: We’ll carpool from Target at Paseo del Norte and I-25. Look for me and my Frontier pickup Red Rover in the NW part of the parking lot. It is about 140 miles round trip.
The Continental Divide Trail runs from Canada to Mexico and is 3,100 miles long. The southern part of the CDT traverses New Mexico. We’ll be hiking a section of the trail in the Rio Puerco Basin west of Albuquerque, along the dramatic rim of Mesa San Luis, with great landscape views east towards the Jemez and south towards the volcanic necks around and including Cabezon.
HIKING ADVENTURE: A moderate hike recommended for those used to longer desert hikes. Our outing will explore the CDT mainly along the rim of smaller mesas. The approximately 5-mile route stays about the same elevation. Bring sun protection, food for a trail lunch and plenty of water. We’ll be back out mid-afternoon.
While there may be hiking dispersion due to different hiking speeds, we will stop now and then to allow catch-up.
PERSONAL: Please bring sunglasses and sunscreen and a brimmed hat and plenty of water, food and salty snacks. Each hiker will be expected to wear appropriate hiking apparel. Seasonal layers clothing is a must. This includes proper footwear - boots - and trekking poles. Each person participates in this adventure/hike at their own risk. As always everyone is responsible for their own safety and that of their property.
SOCIAL: Optional activity post hike, perhaps in Bernalillo or back in Burque. I’m open to suggestions.
ABOUT DEREK: Besides being a humanist, Derek Wallentinsen is also a naturalist who’s hiked New Mexico trails since childhood, when his dad took him along for trips afoot in the Pecos Wilderness. More recently, he regularly did 1000 miles of trail roves a year with the National Park Service before retiring in 2021. He is a hike leader, former vice president and long-time New Mexico Mountain Club member. His current favorite t-shirt: “All who wander are not lost. Some are looking for cool rocks.”