Trail Projects – Page 34 – Sagebrush Trails

San Lorenzo Canyon 2021

Eighteen NMVFO volunteers car-camped at the cottonwood grove November 5-7, near the end of the drive into San Lorenzo Canyon, just south of the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge. We partnered with BLM to construct new trail and upgrade user trail on the south rim of the canyon to make a 2.5 mile loop with the main drainage.

BLM had already constructed a kiosk to mark the beginning of the trail, and we installed 8 metal trail markers to help show the route and overlooks. The view from the rim looking down on the canyon shows off the geology of this area.

We enjoyed camping together with good weather and superb location for this late-season trail construction project.

Thanks crew boss Nick, team leaders Jenny, Mike M, and Rob S, cooks Marie and Hillary, with Charlie, Ed, Pam & Rob, Danielle & Kai & Paige, Russ, Carlos, Catlin, and Christy for a memorable outing.

This trail is near the San Lorenzo high water alternate route for the Grand Enchantment Trail, and perhaps someday may become part of that trail.

This project site was only 10.1 miles from my house! That is a new distance record, but may be broken by another new trail BLM is planning for next year…

Apache Kid Wilderness 2 2021

NMVFO volunteers returned to the Apache Kid Wilderness for a backpack trail project, parking at Springtime Campground and hiking 3 miles to a ridge just above San Mateo Spring on Apache Kid Trail #43. Scouting last week revealed that both San Mateo and Nave Springs had water, not expected in late October, so we were pleased to have a reliable water source.

The first day, after setting up camp on the ridge, we hiked along Apache Kid Trail to Cowboy Trail #44 and all blowdowns up to the lookout and cabin. While scouting this section, I was not able to find the second half of Cowboy, and neither could our full group. (I had also had problems following this trail while hiking the Grand Enchantment Trail a few years ago.)

Saturday we had planned to hike further on Apache Kid Trail, but higher winds induced us to avoid burned areas with standing snags, and instead divert to Shipman Trail. Last week while scouting we had flagged the trail up to Nave Spring, necessary because of disappearing tread. Sometimes the only way we knew we were on trail was to find sections of rebar from old water bars– the logs since rotted away or burned away. We managed to clear blowdowns from about 2 miles along Shipman.

Sunday we worked back towards Springtime Campground, nearly finishing lopping Apache Kid from the junction with Shipman down to the campground.

Our skilled and motivated team experienced fine discussions, good teamwork, high adventure, and marvelous views. Nick, Anna, Julia, Jim N, Paul, and Nigel built a memorable trip.

Apache Kid Wilderness 1 2021

NMVFO volunteers met Friday evening for a car-camping project based at Springtime Campground near the Apache Kid Wilderness in the San Mateo Mountains (not the other San Mateo Mountains in New Mexico), Cibola National Forest near Monticello. We worked Saturday and Sunday on Apache Kid Trail #43 and Shipman Trail #50, clearing deadfalls and lopping, with some tread work.

Christina and Nick excelled as crew cooks.