Comments on: A journey in the Land of Entrapment – Overall NNML Thoughts

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 02:31:34 +0000

In reply to Kevin.

Hi Kevin,

I think the SnoTel sites for New Mexico would be your best bet. You’ll be able to see the water levels, any drought conditions, etc. The Rio Grande Crossing might be dicey, so you’ll probably want to walk around them via the alt routes.

https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/gis/maps/nm_swepctnormal_update.pdf

Otherwise, watch for t-storms in the Pecos, Latir Peaks, or any of the higher Sangres areas. Similar weather to their Colorado cousins across the border.

Once you get the planning material, you should have the info you need for water, too.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 00:27:05 +0000

Thanks for the summary, pictures, and inspiration! I’m hoping to do the route this year, most likely in July as that is the window of time I have open. Do you know of any websites that provide some good weather summaries for the region, i.e. what is typical and how current conditions are shaping up this year? Or if you’re familiar with the region at that time of year, could you comment some on what to possibly expect in regards to temps, storms, water sources, etc.? I’ve done some trips around the Sangre de Cristo and Bandelier, but those were all spring time frame- April to mid June. Thanks!

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By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 20:00:20 +0000

In reply to Cola Vaughan. Thanks, Cola. Another book to add to my list! Looks like an interesting read. Yes, the tree kill is disheartening.

By: Cola Vaughan

Cola Vaughan — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 16:07:51 +0000

Paul thanks for this thorough report and the beautiful photos. You might be interested in David Roberts’s new book (and likely last), ‘Escalante’s Dream”; detailing his experiences following the Dominguez-Escalante route which you were close to and probably crossed on this hike. Also thanks for the photo of the lions. I read somewhere that Zuni youth were known to make a sort of rite of passage trip cross-country to that site. Now that’s a hike! Also a little sad to see the pines in that elk herd photo. Wonder how much longer we’ll have those trees around. Just got home from the Winds and it seemed like every other or every third tree there is dying from the bark beetles. Thanks for the link to the Cathedral. Perfect place to start and end such a pilgrimage type hike.

By: PaulW

PaulW — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 13:25:54 +0000

I’ve really enjoyed your entire NNML series and much appreciate this followup. Thank you!

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 17:17:28 +0000

In reply to Kevin. Sounds interesting. A high snow year probably did affect your experience.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:12:53 +0000

Awesome summary, thanks for sharing. My friend and I did a loop through Bandelier in June. The rangers had recommended a route heading up the Rio Grande towards Painted Cave. We expected the banks to be marshy and overgrown, but after hours of slogging along the hillside we ran into a rock wall with three foot deep water all the way up to the shore. I’m guessing that was due to the increased precipitation this year? We ended up turning around and going cross country over to Painted Cave.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 15:18:13 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags. Nothing like being in the woods to think up some wild stuff! Looks like an awesome trip, and an awesome writeup as usual. Thanks!