Five Friends of Bosque del Apache volunteers met for weed control at the recently developed Pollinator Site. One team spread and secured plastic solarization sheeting to kill weeds.
We also pulled and dug out kochia by the roots along the trail.
Since I was last at the site, the huge cottonwood at the Observation Blind has been trimmed by an arborist, removing a huge amount of mistletoe. The tree appears to be thriving.
An advantage of volunteering at Bosque del Apache is the opportunity to spot birds after the work is done.
My cunning plan was to hike from Santa Fe Plaza to Taos Plaza on the SF2T, then return on the blue bus and start the NNML from Santa Fe Plaza, ultimately ending back at the Plaza.
Start S8 mile 70.1, near junction of Skyline and Winsor
End S8 mile 75.4, trailhead near Aspen Basin, and then ride home
Miles walked: 5.3
Winsor passes by a meadow, a popular camping spot.
Winsor has tons of hikers, as a convenient entry into the Pecos Wilderness from Santa Fe. Exposed roots are sometimes one side-effect of a heavily traveled trail.
Stepping stones across Rio Nambe are still in place, from an NMVFO project several years ago.
After passing dozens of hikers, I get to the wilderness boundary, and start the descent towards the Santa Fe ski area.
I stop at a picnic table by the Winsor trailhead, and work on equipment until my ride arrives. I fondly remember this table, the site of a crosscut saw class a few years ago.
Thank you, Cairn, for the ride back home.
I have less than one day of hiking to get to Santa Fe plaza and complete this route. The Blue Bus stops at Aspen Basin, so it will be easy to get back here. I will return, eventually, later this year.
