New Mexico Experience –
Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, Santa Fe, Bandelier, Taos and more
May 14 – 25, 2010
Itinerary
Day 1, Fri., May 14 – Fly from home cities to Albuquerque. Free shuttle to Best Western Airport Motel. If you arrive early, take shuttle bus into the city for sightseeing. Dinner on your own. http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=32066
Day 2, Sat., May 15 – Breakfast at Best Western Inn Suites. Leave by 9am. We will drive 75 miles north to Santa Fe (no stops) and then another 65 miles north west to Abiquiu. Stop at Bodie’s General Store in Abiquiu for lunch and last minute items. Arrive mid day at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu . Check in is at 2pm. Explore our home for the next week. Ghost Ranch is the size of Manhattan Island. (B, D)
Day 3, Sun., May 16 – Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu – Breakfast at Ranch. While at dining hall, pack a bag lunch to take with us. We will do this each day while inAbiquiu. Drive to the Monastery in the Desert and visit the Benedictine Monks. Have lunch on the banks of the Chama River. Afternoon hike to Chimney Rock on ranch property to see the spectacular scenery. (BLD)
May 14 – 25, 2010
Itinerary
Day 1, Fri., May 14 – Fly from home cities to Albuquerque. Free shuttle to Best Western Airport Motel. If you arrive early, take shuttle bus into the city for sightseeing. Dinner on your own. http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=32066
Day 2, Sat., May 15 – Breakfast at Best Western Inn Suites. Leave by 9am. We will drive 75 miles north to Santa Fe (no stops) and then another 65 miles north west to Abiquiu. Stop at Bodie’s General Store in Abiquiu for lunch and last minute items. Arrive mid day at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu . Check in is at 2pm. Explore our home for the next week. Ghost Ranch is the size of Manhattan Island. (B, D)
Day 3, Sun., May 16 – Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu – Breakfast at Ranch. While at dining hall, pack a bag lunch to take with us. We will do this each day while inAbiquiu. Drive to the Monastery in the Desert and visit the Benedictine Monks. Have lunch on the banks of the Chama River. Afternoon hike to Chimney Rock on ranch property to see the spectacular scenery. (BLD)
Chimney Rock Hike: The trailhead for this most popular hike is located at the arroyo behind the Museums and past the Corral Block complex. Cross the arroyo and follow the trail up the ridge. From the top there is an excellent view of the Piedra Lumbre basin. This hike of 1 1/2 -- 2 hours has wonderful views as the trail climbs from 6,500 to 7,100 feet. (Round trip -- 3 miles) http://www.digitalabiquiu.com/pages/slideshows/chimneyrckss.html (see slide show on website). Chimney Rock Trail is the most popular Ghost Ranch hike. The panoramic view of the Abiquiu Reservoir, flat-topped Cerro Pedernal towering above the lake, the Jemez mountains to the left of Cerro Pederal, the Chama River Valley between the mountians and Ghost Ranch, and the mesa and canyon topography that surrounds the valley on all sides makes this a hike worth taking!
Day 4, Mon., May 17 - Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu – Hike with local guide to petroglyph area and discuss ancient Native American culture. More info as available. (BLD)
Day 5, Tues., May 18 - Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu – Bandelier National Monument. Before we begin our hike, explore the Bandelier Museum Exhibit. These displays inside the Visitor Center showcase Ancestral Pueblo pottery, tools and artifacts of daily life. The museum also features two life-size dioramas comparing Pueblo life in the past and today.Be sure to watch the 10-minute introductory film, "The Bandelier Story." This presentation will orient you to the environment, history and culture of this area now designated as a National Monument.
Hike: Upper and Lower Falls about five miles round trip. 700’ elevation gain.
OR
Frijoles Canyon – 7 miles one way hike with a car spot – 1500’ descent
For those who would like to learn more about the history of Bandelier, we will offer an easy trail. Main Loop Trail: The Frijoles Canyon cliff dwellings (talus houses) are within a short, easy walk of the Visitor Center along this 1.5-mile paved trail. It leads though the Tyuonyi pueblo ruins, which are within 400 yards of the Visitor Center. A guide book describing each of the stops along the trail is available.
We will have a more complete itinerary closer to arrival date. (B,L,D)
Day 6, Wed., May 19 - Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu – Hike and Hot Springs “Ojo Caliente Springs” http://ojocalientesprings.com/resort.php?action=viewcontent&content_id=3 .
Day 7, Thurs., May 20 - Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu – Day Trip to Taos Pueblo World Heritage Site. Dinner will not be included this day as it will be late when we arrive back at Ghost Ranch. We will eat dinner in Taos at Orlando’s New Mexico Cafe (cost not included). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g47224-d388708-Reviews-Orlando_s_New_Mexican_Cafe-Taos_Taos_County_New_Mexico.html (B,L,)
Day 8, Fri., May 21 – Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu – Kitchen Mesa Hike in morning. Kitchen Mesa: (Entrada cliffs above the Dining Hall) The marked trail begins just past the chain across the road at Long House (see Box Canyon guide). The trail goes behind Kitchen Mesa before it ascends to the top. This more difficult hike includes a 15-foot chimney through a cleft in the cliff. The 3-4 hour trip climbs from 6,500 to 7,100 feet. (Round trip -- 5 miles) http://www.digitalabiquiu.com/pages/slideshows/kitchenmesass.html (slide show on website)
and /or Piedra Lumbre Hike: The trail begins approximately 600 yards beyond the Wetlands trail sign off the main road to the left. Follow the markers/stakes across the desert, through the bosque and over a suspension bridge crossing Canjilon Creek. The trail ends after the bridge, but one can continue to walk to the fence around the Ghost Ranch Piedra Lumbre Education and Visitor Center (formerly the Ghost Ranch Living Museum). The Center is open to the public and houses cultural and historical exhibits of northern New Mexico. The entire round trip is level but hot in the summer and takes about 2 hours. (Round trip -- 3 miles) We will have a more complete itinerary closer to arrival date. (B,L,D)
Day 9, Sat., May 22 – Departure at 9am for Santa Fe.. Sixty five mile drive. Visit Four Outstanding Museums, Restaurants, etc. on Museum Hill http://www.museumhill.org/ Spend several hours in museums. Eat lunch. Mid-afternoon arrival at Ghost Ranch, Santa Fe – Settle in and start exploration with a walk around town. (B)
Day 10, Sun., May 23 – After breakfast we will drive to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Mounument - http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/rio_puerco/kasha_katuwe_tent_rocks.html where we will hike.
Tent Rocks Canyon is a narrow slice through tuff ejected from small volcanoes at the edge of the massive Jemez Volcano. In places the walls of the canyon are 200 feet high, and yet a child’s arms can span the width wall to wall. http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/rio_puerco/kasha_katuwe_tent_rocks.html . Return to Santa Fe in the afternoon to explore the museums and galleries. Group dinner tonight at the colorful Mariscos la Playa. Overnight at Ghost Ranch, Santa Fe. (B, D)
Day 11, Mon., May 24 – We will pack up the vans at check out time and further explore Santa Fe. This is a good time to walk the mile long Canyon Road stopping at Galleries and coffee shops along the way. Free time to see your favorite museum (if it is open on a Monday). Late afternoon drive back to Albuquerque at around 7pm. Check into the Best Westerm near airport.. (B)
Day 12, Tues., May 25 – Breakfast at Best Western Inn Suites, Albuquerque Airport. Free shuttles to airport. Flights to home cities. (B,)
A more detailed itinerary will be sent to participants with further description of each day’s activities.
Contact: Kathy Didier kdidier@suchmail.com http://pembrook.blogspot.com/
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