Upper Trigo 2026

12 NMVFO volunteers worked on Upper Trigo trail in the Manzanos. Most camped out the night before at New Canyon Campground. (We camped here because the road on the west side of the Manzanos up to Trigo Trailhead and the former John F Kennedy Campground is always in bad condition. It is easier to climb up over the crest and back down from the east side.)

We divided into two teams, one sawyer crew and one lopping and installing a sign at the crest. The hole for the sign was dug with a rock bar, and a tuna can was just the right size to scoop out dirt and pulverized rock.

The lopping crew attacked locust and gambel oak. Locust was especially bad near the tree line. The thorny locust is opportunistic and quickly establishes itself after a burn, in this case the 2008 Trigo Fire.

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Manzano Crest Trail 2025

Eight NMVFO volunteers met at Fourth of July Campground for a “Small Group Project” (not on schedule, more informal, short notice).

We lopped on the Manzano Crest, Cerro Blanco, and Bosque trails, about 2 miles in total. The Gambel Oak was thick on the crest,

We lucked out on weather, with recent rains and an overcast day providing cool temperatures for working.

CDT New Mexico 2025 Journal Index

I revisit a hike from 12 years ago to refresh my memory of NM, and to try alternates not taken on that previous hike.