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Pecos Wilderness, NM

Aug 6 - Aug 14, 2022 -- $1400 ★★★★, YOU CANNOT REGISTER FOR THIS TRIP YET AS DETAILS ARE NOT FINAL

Description

The Pecos Wilderness in the Santa Fe National Forest (and the Carson National Forest) is a premier backpacking destinations in the Southern Rockies of New Mexico. Located just Northeast of Santa Fe, there are over 400 miles of trails in canyons and atop ridges that touch the sky at over 10000'. The area is covered with coniferous behemoths, is dotted with Alpine lakes and is home to the 2nd highest peak in New Mexico, Truchas Peak which we'll summit of course.


We will be hiking this pristine wilderness mid-Summer, when the days are long and warm so the snow should have mostly melted. Hopefully, we'll see Bighorn Sheep that inhabit the area as we did on the 2019 trip. It's prime time to visit, so why not join us to see this wonderful, remote destination?


Here is our proposed route



Important Notes

We have not yet obtained a permit for this destination, but expect to do so soon. We'll remove this note when the permit is obtained. Rangers assure us they will "get to it soon".


Most of the Pecos Wilderness is over 10,000' above sea level. You might consider arriving a day early to acclimate to the elevation. Albuquerque sits at 5300', just over a mile high.




Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. August is a great time to hike in Pecos Wilderness. It's reliably warm and the snow has melted. Expect daytime hiking temperatures into the 70s & 80s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s, though it may reach the 90s during the day and freezing at night. Here are the historical weather averages . Expect sunny, fair weather, but be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms and frigid nights because of the arid climate and radiational cooling.



Probable Trip Leaders

ChrisFrey
Beau Devlin


Difficulty

The trails through the Pecos Wilderness are generally well maintained but they are at elevation (our route is mostly along the Skyline Trail, so you should expect elevation). Elevation increases the difficulty for those who are coming from Sea Level. There is a fair amount of climbs and descents, but not all-day ups and downs as you might expect in a destination like the Grand Canyon

A reasonable comparison of the Pecos can be made to Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimmaron, NM.



Cost

$1400 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation to/from the Pecos, National Forest permits and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. While tips are not required or expected, if your guides have served you well, please consider a gratuity so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Civil Rights Compliance

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)


To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


This institution is operated under special use permit with the Gila National Forest.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Packing List
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Itinerary


Saturday, August 6, 2022

Fly into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) or drive/bus into Albuquerque, NM. The best time to arrive is between Noon-3PM, but if you can save a significant amount by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so.

Take a free airport shuttle to our local hotel TBD

Equipment shakedown, we go through all your items to make sure you're sufficiently (but not overly) outfitted

Make-Your-Own Trail Bar from our ingredients

"Before" body composition measurements taken

If necessary, we'll take a short trip to REI , 1550 Mercantile Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, (505) 247-1191, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Go out for welcome dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in package)



Sunday, August 7, 2022

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Free breakfast at Hotel or continental breakfast provided by guides

Shuttle about 3 hours to the Pecos Wilderness in the Santa Fe Natkional Forest. We may take a few extra hours to shuttle vehicles around to the end of the trek.

If you have a National Park Pass please consider bringing it to help defray our costs.

Park at Walker Flats Trailhead

Start hiking in the Santa Fe National Forest at Walker Flats, elevation 9250'

Hike about 3.7 miles on trail 266 along the Middle Fork Rio de la Casa to a dispersed area suitable for camping, elevation 10500'

Dispersed Camp along the Rio de la Casa, elevation 10500'

Miles today: 3.7. Total miles: 3.7

Bailout: Walker Flats


Monday, August 8, 2022

Hike 1.7 miles on Trail #266 to the North Fork Trail #269, elevation 11650'

Hike 3.7 miles on the North Fork Trail #269 to the Skyline Trail #251, elevation 11850'

Hike 2.3 miles on the Skyline Trail #251 to the Divide Trail #36, elevation 12470'

Dispersed Camp near the trail intersection, elevation 12470'

Miles today: 7.7. Total miles: 11.4

Possible bailout: Over one day away


Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Hike 2.8 miles on the Skyline Trail #251 to a socail trail near Chimayosos Peak, elevation 12050'

Drop packs and Day-Hike 1.0 round trip miles to the summitof Chimayosos Peak, elevation 12841'

Hike 2.3 miles on the Skyline Trail #251 to Truchas Lake, elevation 11870'

Camp at Truchas Lake, elevation 11870'. We will camp here two nights.

Miles today: 6.1. Total miles: 17.5

Possible bailout: Rio Quemado Trailhead (over 10 miles away)


Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Today we will day-hike a loop to the summit of Truchas Peak, elevation 13024'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles to the summit of Medio Truchas Peak, elevation 13050'

Day-Hike 0.7 miles to the summit of Truchas Peak, elevation 13102'

Day-Hike 3.8 miles back to Truchas Lake, possibly tagging Little South Truchas along the way

Camp at Truchas Lake, elevation 11870'

Miles today: 5.5. Total miles: 23.0

Possible bailout: Rio Quemado Trailhead (over 10 miles away)


Thursday, August 11, 2022

Hike 5.2 miles on the Skyline Trail Trail #251 to Pecos Baldy Lake, elevation 11450'

Camp at Pecos Baldy Lake, elevation 11450'

Miles today: 5.2. Total miles: 28.2

Possible bailout: Over a day away


Friday, August 12, 2022

Hike 0.6 miles on the Skyline Trail #251 to a saddle, elevation 11875'

Drop packs and day-hike 1.2 round-trip miles to the summit of East Pecos Baldy, elevation 12526'

Hike 5.5 miles on the Skyline Trail #251 to Horsethief Meadow, elevation 9800'

Miles today: 7.3. Total miles: 35.5

Possible bailout: Panchuela Trailhead


Saturday, August 13, 2022

Hike 1.5 miles on the Skyline Trail #251 to the Cave Creek Trail #288, elevation 9800'

Hike 4.0 miles on the Cave Creek Trail #288 to the Panchuela Trailhead, elevation 8390'

End of hiking. Possible vehicle shuttle.

Miles today: 5.5. Total miles: 41.0

Possible bailout: Panchuela

Shuttle back to Albuquerqu and check into local hotel TBD

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, August 14, 2022

Free airport shuttle


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