El Paso Ridgewalkers

This week we have planned events that are both entertaining and historical. On Saturday, come with us to Weed, New Mexico for their 13th annual Bluegrass Music Festival. We'll listen to some old time mountain music, picnic and enjoy a short hike.

Click Here for details and to sign up for this event.

Fort Bayard National Recreation Trails is a network of trails leading to the Big Tree and the Old Wagon Road. Fort Bayard is an early Army post built during Apache uprisings in the late 1800s. The Big Tree is a Big Juniper Tree that is nationally ranked as the second largest alligator Juniper Tree. Its diameter is 70.2 in, circumference is 18 ft. 4 in, crown spread is 62 ft., and height is 63 ft. On this trail, you'll see deep ruts made by heavily loaded wagons traveling this road. Don't be surprised if you see a glimpse of some of the resident herd of elk that occupy the Fort Bayard area.

Click Here for details and to sign up for this event.

Geocaching
You may have noticed that I listed geocaches are located near or along certain trails. So, what is Geocaching? It’s the adventure/sport that has families and individuals using the Internet, hand-held GPS’s and their eyes and wits to search for “treasure” hidden all over the world! The odds are that sometime in the past few years you’ve been within a few feet to a few miles of a geocache and didn’t even know it! Getting started in Geocaching is easy, and if you have a handheld GPS and Internet access, you’re halfway there! For more information on Geocaching please read this brochure.

Up Coming Events
Saturday, July 26th we have a hiking and backpacking trip. We'll start in the beautiful Hubbell Canyon and hike to Bluff Springs. This is a moderately difficult hike of approximately 9.5 miles. Much of this trail is along old abandoned railroad beds. This trail features beautiful open meadows, mixed conifers, and aspen forest along the trail. More details later.

Photos
Photos this week were taken by Bob Medley along the Fresnal Canyon hike. The photos show the trail along the old railroad grade, and the return trip via the stream bed.