Author: Jim, Sagebrush

• NNML 2026 Day 19, July 6 Monday
• Start S6A mile 10.7, Wheeler Lake
• End S6 mile 22, San Cristobal Canyon
• Miles walked: 21.3

I trail-washed my clothes last night. I am hardly smelly at all today.

A short hike takes me to Taos Ski Village.

Since I decided to take the optional Wheeler Loop, I should add another dinner to my food bag. But many shops do not open until 9 or 10, and I do not want to wait that long, missing prime morning hiking time. Finally, I get a couple of breakfast burritos from a coffee shop that opened at 8, and move on.

I complete the Wheeler Loop using Long Canyon Trail, with no views to photograph. Then the route switches to Lobo Peak Trail for 9 miles, which tends to stay along a ridge, with views on both sides.

The ridge makes turns, and often the best view is of the section of ridge I am about to hike on.

Sometimes the route drops down 100 feet from the top of the ridge, to save the hiker climbing up and down so much.

More views:

Sometimes a peak is on the ridge, and the route insists on climbing right over the top of the peak, instead of going around. You cannot imagine the effort it took for me to get to this cairn on an unnamed peak in forest with no views.

Rain and smoke from the forest fire are limiting views at times.

Finally I get to Lobo Peak, and the climb here is not too bad.

After another mile or two my route switches to San Cristobal Canyon, with good tread, and blowdowns cleared.

Where my databook suggests I can find water, San Cristobal Creek is bone dry, and I start to worry. But further down the trail, I hear running water, and the canyon transforms into a lush garden of flowers and foliage.

Finished audiobook The Last Space Ship , by Murray Leinster.

• NNML 2026 Day 18, July 5, Sunday
• Start outskirts of Red River
• End S6A mile 10.7 Williams Lake
• Miles walked:  22.3

I hike through Red River in early morning, using a nature trail along the river, behind the condos.

After a brief roadwalk I start on Goose Creek Trail in the Hondo Columbine Wilderness, with thick riparian growth.

The trail needs a sawyer crew.

At Goose Lake the trail climbs a steep wall of switchbacks.

Mount Wheeler and nearby peaks stand tall, and Taos Ski Valley is visible.

The NNML presents an optional 18 mile loop to climb Wheeler, the state’s tallest peak. I have never climbed it before. I have to hike 10 challenging miles to a campsite just past the peak, and it is now 1PM. The weather looks acceptable. Challenge accepted.

Wheeler Peak Trail is well-designed, which is a big help. The views are not bad at all.

Mountain goats.

A little rain comes off and on, but no thunder.

Finally, the summit.

Endless switchbacks take me to Williams Lake.

Finished audiobook The Planet Savers, by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

• NNML 2026 Day 17, July 4, Saturday
• Start S5 mile 13, just above treeline, 3 miles from Heart Lake
• End S5 reroute, near Red River
• Miles walked:  26

I proceed in the Latir Wilderness, walking from cairn to cairn.

One cairn moved as I was walking to it. Turns out it was an elk kneeling.

The sub-alpine plants are fascinating. I should learn more, so I can understand what I am looking at.

What views.

How fortunate that I am gifted with views today. The forest fire smoke has kept to the north.

Approaching the lake, the route begins to descend from the heights and stunning views.

Heart Lake is a favorite destination for hikers. Many do not realize the views waiting for them if they climb up a short distance past the treeline.

A huge blowdown of trees on Midnight Trail beyond the lake makes the route impassable. The route designer has offered an alternate out-and-back route, that requires going back on some of the trails I just hiked. But first, I want to hike on Midnight to survey the damage.

Baldy Cabin is interesting, but too dark inside.

I do not get very far on Midnight before finding some blowdowns that are difficult to walk around.

One of these blowdowns involved several healthy trees, with roots pulled out by the wind. This is not close to the reported site of the big blowdown event, but it is still hard for me to proceed, and I turn back, resolved to investigate #further after the hike.

I use Lake Fork Trail to return to Cabresto lake from yesterday. Many fewer people are visiting today.

Later I take Trail 195 from the lake access road all the way to the village of Red River. The beginning of the trail is extremely steep with loose rock. A couple of dirt bikers, who started before me, find the going tough, and are ready to head back.

They are amazed I could get as far as I did.

Finally finishing the climb, the trail goes along the ridge and is fairly level. Trees block most views, but I do see a molybdenum mine.

At the outskirts of Red River I grab water at a faucet at Junebug campground, which is full. I find USFS land nearby and pitch a tent.

Finished audiobook One Man’s Initiation 1917, by John Dos Passos.