Hello Skiers,
On Saturday, February 1, I will lead an outing to the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) with Class I and Class II tour opportunities. A map of the VCNP winter trails is attached in a Word document.
1. A Class I trail is the 1.5-mile RT route around La Jara Mountain at the check-in station in the west end of Valle Grande. This route has very little elevation change.
2. A longer Class I trail is the groomed route to the cabin area and history grove. The RT distance is about 5 miles, and the elevation change is 200 feet.
3. The first segment of the Class I clockwise route to the history grove leads to the west and the road to South Mountain.
4. The Class II tour is to South Mountain. This route goes to the west and then south to where the route starts up wide logging roads toward the top of South Mountain. Most of the grades are moderate, and the snow on the north side of this mountain is usually good. From the check-in station, the first approximately 2.5 miles are across a valle with gentle grades. The total RT distance to the peak is 11 miles, and the elevation change is 1300 feet.
5. I plan to ski from the check-in station to the west 2.5 miles one-way to the where the road starts up South Mountain and then return to the check-in station. I need a couple of photos of the lower road to use in my presentation about the history of cross country skiing in the Jemez Mountains at the monthly Club meeting on Feb. 13.
The 2-mile dirt road from NM-4 to the check-in station is plowed, and it can be snow packed or muddy, depending on the temperatures. 4WD or all-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, but front-wheel drive vehicles can also be driven, if the road is not too muddy.
Bring ski equipment, lunch, drinks, and snacks. Dress warmly, because in the mornings the temperatures in the bottom of Valle Grande can be low.
Meet on the west side of the Target parking lot at the intersection of Paseo del Norte and I-25N at 8 am.
If we are meeting you at the Home Depot on US-550 west of Bernalillo, we should be there about 8:30. We meet on the WEST side of the shed display on the WESTside of the large HD parking lot.
Bring about $15 for car expenses, if you plan to ride with another driver.
Please email me, if you plan to go or have questions.
Sam Beard