Hello Skiers,

On Monday, Dec. 21, (tomorrow) Michael Arndt and Sam Beard will lead a Ski Club outing to the Coyote Call area on the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains.

Michael will lead a Class I-II tour around the Coyote Call Loop Trail. This trail is about 3 miles in length with a 400-foot elevation change. He will go clockwise around the loop. From the trailhead on the south side of NM-4 across the highway from Valle Grande, the trail runs parallel to the highway with little elevation change and then ascends the moderately steep eastern segment of the loop. From the Scooter Peak/Rabbit Ridge Saddle (where the skiers usually have lunch), the trail goes to the west for about one mile with a very gentle down slope. From the SW corner of the loop, the trail descend through mostly open meadows to the trailhead. This tour is appropriate for skiers in good physical condition and with intermediate ski skills.

Sam will lead a Class I (very easy) tour to practice skiing techniques learned in a beginning class or after skiing for a couple of years. From the  trailhead the group will ski in the meadows near the highway and practice ascending and descending techniques. This tour is not a beginning class.

We saw the trailhead yesterday, and it was apparent that numerous skiers, snowshoers, and walkers had been on the trail. The area was covered with snow, but do not expect excellent snow conditions.

Meet on the west side of the Target parking lot at the intersection of I-25N and Paseo del Norte at 8 am. Wear warm clothes and bring ski equipment, a face mask, lunch, drinks, snacks, and Maxi Glide (to prevent icing on the ski bottoms). REI and maybe Sportz Systems usually carry it.

Be prepared to drive yourself or wear a mask, if riding with another skier.

If the group completes the loop trail early, we could drive to the nearby Corral Canyon parking area and ski part of Calzada Trail that we cleared in the fall for the first time in a few years.

Please email me if you plan to go so that I can print your name on the sign-in form that you will sign tomorrow morning.

Sam Beard, Trails Chair

NMCCSC