How to Select a Hike - Family Nature Summits

A Checklist to Help You Pick a Hike
1) When picking hikes from the table above, look at the climb in the right column, the
“difficulty” & shade % (middle), & the highest elevation on the left, not just the distance!
2) Every trail bend might seem perfect for photo taking, and we’ll all be snapping photos
like crazy….Just please not so much as to be to the detriment of your fellow hikers or
denying all of them the time to actually reach our hiking destinations! Thanks.
3) Traditionally, we call these “regular” Summit hikes above “destination hikes.” Natural
and/or historical interpretation is not the focus of destination hikes, unlike most other
Summit programs. However, this year, seven of our 17 hikes (with single asterisks in the
above table) have an interpretive focus to one degree or another! So if you want more
than just hiking, pick from those, checking their descriptions below to see which focus on
human history, which on nature.
4) If hiking with us on the Colorado Continental Divide Trail (CDT) long version to 11,100 ft.
on Tue. or Wed., there is a pre-requisite: you must have done either the Vega Redonda
Hike Sun. or Mon., the New Mexico CDT Sun., or Cerro Pedernal Tue.
5) If one of your goals is good views, skip Box Canyon-you’re in luck with the others.
6) If you have don’t want to even try a short bit of steep cliff scrambling, skip Cerro
Pedernal; Kitchen Mesa isn’t as bad, but skip that if you have a dreadful fear of heights or
inability to do even a straightforward short steep cliff scramble.
7) Looking to be transported to “another world”, a unique NM canyon bottom environment?
....try either the Box Canyon or Rio Grande’s White Rock Canyon hikes.
8) Looking to maximize big wildlife sightings chances? Or wildflowers? Try Vega Redonda
Meadows in either case. Petroglyphs and a brief swim?: Rio Grande’s White Canyon.
9) Looking to maximize shade to beat the heat? Or get to a high elevation to beat the
heat? Look at the table above (middle column and left column respectively.)
10) Looking for one of the best hikes in the region? Pick any hike!
2016 Family Nature Summit Hike Descriptions in alphabetical order
Box Canyon at Ghost Ranch
8:30-11:30 Sun.
Amy Hahn
Easy+ ;
no drive
5.0 mile
hike
500 ft.
climb
Our destination is the dramatic slot canyon “dead end” where you’ll be surrounded by
towering red rock canyon walls and monumental cliffs. We’ll amble along miles of
grotesquely twisted trees and giant toppled cottonwoods that provide dramatic testimony to
the flood of the century here on July 7, 2015. The flood reached 27 feet above normal
levels, but there were` no injuries or fatalities that day, as this hike and canyon have
plentiful exit routes other than a short bit at the very end, and we’ll bail if there’s any rain
here near the Arroyo del Yeso watershed.
The climb is spread out over 2.5 miles, the second-most gradual of any Summit hike,
peaking at just 6950 ft. after a 6500 ft. start. However, if the water level in the stream is up
a bit, we may have one tricky pull up and over a big boulder, but only if you insist on getting
to the very end. There are many little jumps at rocky or sandy stream crossings, many
areas of rocky, uneven footing, and increased post-flood sunshine. But it’s an iconic
American Southwest box canyon…the best such canyon of any Summit hike.
Cerro Pedernal Summit
7-3 Tue. & Thu.
Strenuous ;
Both days: Roy Michelotti; Amy Hahn
48 min. drive
8 mile
hike
1900 ft.
climb
Cerro Pedernal is the iconic Georgia O’Keeffe flat-topped peak seen from Ghost Ranch 12
miles to the south. The hike to the 9,862 foot summit of Pedernal begins at 8,000’ and is a
classic New Mexico adventure. This is a strenuous adrenaline hike, but the views from the
summit make it a worthwhile trek. On a clear day the 100-mile views from the top of
Pedernal extend north into Colorado and south to Albuquerque.
Much of the trail is a rugged, partly shaded jeep road occasioned by ranchers and hunters
on ATVs, but the last 700 feet is steep and unshaded and would not be confused with a
road. This hike is not for the faint of heart. There is a short, but nonetheless challenging,
near-vertical 15 foot ascent to reach the summit. The hike leaders will set up a hand rope
that some hikers will find reassuring for the descent. But you must be comfortable with
some exposure to reach the summit of Pedernal.
The Spanish translation of Cerro Pedernal is “flint hill,” and Pedernal “chert” (one of several
minerals that comprise flint) was prized by Native Americans as workable for shaping into
sharp tools. Pedernal chert was traded throughout the American Southwest. We will hike
through beds of colorful chert along the trail.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, lunch and snacks, and a minimum of 3 liters of water. We
recommend bringing a labeled 1-liter container that everyone can cache on the way up; so
you don’t have to carry your water all the way up and most of the way down before drinking
it. It’s 8 miles to the high point, round trip, but roaming around on top can add another half
mile if one is so inclined.
Chimney Rock Hike – Dinosaurs at Ghost Ranch
8:30-12 Mon. & Thu.
Kate Zeigler
Easy+ ;
no drive
3.1 mile
hike
700 ft.
climb
This 3.1 mile round trip hike is from 6460 ft. to 7060 ft. in elevation, with 700 feet of climb.
The hike to the top of Chimney Rock rewards you with a spectacular vista of the central
Chama Basin. On the hike up, there are several rock outcrops and other features that can
be used to decipher the past ecology of the Ghost Ranch area. Folks who take the hike will
be asked to share their observations of these rocks and features and we'll build the story of
changes in environment through time, from swamp to sand dunes to rivers to today's
landscape as we climb to the top of the trail.
Colorado Continental Divide Trail to 11,100 ft. (long version)
8-5 Tue. & Wed.
Strenuous ;
65 min. drive
Dave Linthicum Tue.; Danny McMurphy Wed.
Pre-requisite: See last paragraph below.
9.1 mile
hike
1350 ft.
climb
Our highest hike: real alpine trekking through deep evergreen forest and, mostly, open high
country meadows with expansive views. After a view of Garcia Lake from above, we’ll hike
into New Mexico on the new, nicely graded and designed CDT footpath here. Just before
the two hour mark, we’ll leave the trail with some faint cow paths to follow in meadows and
woods in search of our hilltop lunch spot.
Our unnamed, meadow-topped 11,085 foot peak is the highest point for five miles in any
direction (ten miles in NM), so we’ll have some nice views while we eat lunch (& vote on a
name?) If the weather or wind is bad, we’ll retreat downhill a few minutes for lunch in a
more protected spot. On the way back, we’ll diverge onto a different route to explore some
sizable, interesting 1880 Colorado history remnants, exhibits, and recent restorations.
This hike not only clears 11,000 feet, it starts just barely below 10,000. This means we’ll
step out of the van 3,500 feet higher than where we’ve been sleeping, and then hike up
1,100 more. So this hike requires acclimatization earlier in the week (either one of the two
Vega Redonda hikes, or Cerro Pedernal, or the NM CDT hike.) That’s not required for
the short version (below) though acclimatization always helps.
photo: Danny McMurphy
Colorado Continental Divide Trail to 10,300 ft. (short version)
6:45-12 Wed. & Thu.
Easy+ ;
65 min. drive
Amy Hahn Wed.;
Danny McMurphy Thu.
~4 mile
hike
~400 ft.
climb
The short version of the above, this hike provides real alpine trekking through deep
evergreen forest and, mostly, open high country meadows with expansive views. After a
view of Garcia Lake from above, we’ll hike into New Mexico on the new, nicely graded and
designed CDT footpath here. One particularly dramatic overlook is usually a favorite spot
for raptors soaring on thermals.
While scouting last September, only one other hiker was encountered, a thru-hiker who had
seen fresh bear tracks/scat and called this one of his favorite CDT sections. On the way
back, we’ll diverge onto a different route to explore some sizable, interesting 1880 Colorado
history remnants, exhibits, and recent restorations. While there’s no pre-requisite
absolutely required, note that we will be hiking up to 10,300 feet, the second-highest
Summit hike. The hike starts just barely below 10,000. This means we’ll be getting out of
the car 3,500 feet higher than where we’ve been sleeping; acclimatization always helps.
Kitchen Mesa Vista at Ghost Ranch
8:30-11:30 Mon. & Tue. Moderate (but…**);
Amy Hahn Mon.; Danny McMurphy Tue.
no drive
4.8 mile
hike
800 ft.
climb
Have you ever looked at the spectacular red and yellow rock mesa cliffs behind the cabin in
City Slickers* (1991) or in the opening chase scene of Indiana Jones #4* (2008)?... and
said to yourself, “Gee, it would be amazing to somehow get up on top of those!” Here’s
your chance.
We’ll stroll along the relatively flat top of Kitchen Mesa with constant dramatic views of
Georgia O’Keeffe favorite subject Cerro Pedernal piercing the sky 12 miles to the south,
and of Ghost Ranch 700 feet (almost) straight down. A sunny, nearly treeless hike, we’ll
be on the trail at 8:30 a.m.
** Getting to the 7100 foot top of Kitchen Mesa involves a narrow trail in one spot, and one
steep 15 foot chimney, but it’s a popular route that is not exposed and one that our hike
leaders have already scouted and will be able to assist hikers up (and down). Unless
you’re deathly afraid of heights or have been told that your sense of balance and agility are
stunningly poor, you’ll be fine on this hike. (On a scale of 1 to 10 where the Summit
Beehive Hike at Acadia was a 7, this is a 4.) Don’t forget a camera and, if you have them,
binoculars.
* These films plus the remakes of The Magnificent Seven (Sept. 2016), No Country for Old Men, 3:10 to
Yuma (both 2007), Lone Ranger (2013), etc. were filmed in part at Ghost Ranch.
Mystery Hike
8 -3:30 Wed. & Thu.
Dave Linthicum
Moderate+;
30 min drive
~6 mile
hike
~900 ft.
climb
Everything (but shade) that one would hope to find when hiking in this area. Worth it.
Lightly used trail; just a rocky cow trail in places. It’s less than 7500 ft. at the top, but there
are good views from the cliff edges nonetheless. The "mystery" is a necessity; bring your
camera and/or curiosity. Dave will offer considerable interpretation on this leisurely paced
hike.
New Mexico Continental Divide Trail
7-12 Sun.
Dave Linthicum
Moderate ;
48 min. drive
5.2 mile
700 ft.
hike
climb
Distant views of Cerro Pedernal and Abiquiu Reservoir. Closer views over our cliff-top
down to Laguna Lorenza meadows; bring a camera. Our most heavily forested hike of the
Summit; that plus the early start plus the elevation should make this one of the cooler hikes
of the week and an attractive option for our first day.
Hiking up to 9,000 feet, this Sunday hike is not a bad option for becoming acclimatized
to the elevation here toward the goal of hiking higher later in the week. We’ll see some
dead aspen (and some live ones) and talk about what is happening within these groves to
cause the die-off.
Rim Vista near Ghost Ranch
8:30-11:30 Tue.
Becky Oertel
Moderate+;
14 min. drive
5.1 mile
hike
1300 ft.
climb
“When it comes to views, this trail is probably one of the best in New Mexico, which is really
saying something.” (ExploreNM.com )….And for us, it will be all the more dramatic
because, three days earlier as you drove into Ghost Ranch the first time, breathless from
the dramatic cliffs and mesas on all sides, you will have thought, “Wonder where there’s a
view of all this from afar?” The answer is Rim Vista, 4 miles to the west.
“View from afar” means, of course, a climb, and 1300 feet is not insignificant. But on the
uppermost 1.5 mile of this 5 mile hike we’ll have frequent views, first of the dramatic Rio
Chama cliffs 3 miles to our south, then the Ghost Ranch vicinity geologic bands of yellow,
orange, and more shades of red than you thought existed. We’ll stop for frequent photo
opportunities.
Perhaps best of all, this is a “low investment” hike: just a 14 minute drive to get there, just
five miles total. It is one of our hikes listed as “10%” forest cover and we’ll inescapably be
on the sunny side of the escarpment, below 8,000 feet…But we’ll do all of our climb on the
cooler first half of the hike with the sun at our backs.
Rio Grande’s White Rock Canyon (Red Dot / Blue Dot Trails)
7-3 Sun.
Vigorous;
70 min. drive
Roy Michelotti; asst.: Becky Oertel
6 mile
hike
1200 ft.
climb
We will begin this hike at the White Rock Canyon Overlook, with picture-postcard views of
the Rio Grande below, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance. This is a steep
and vigorous hike with occasional shade along the Rio Grande, but no shade on the ascent.
We will pause for occasional interpretation of some of the unique aspects of this location
including a wide variety of habitats, noteworthy geologic features, and spectacular and
seldom-seen petroglyphs. The undeveloped and ecologically isolated canyon supports
unique plant and animal species, a few of which are considered rare. Expect to be
serenaded by resident canyon wrens as we hike toward the river. Another highlight is a
lush and cool spring-fed waterfall and pool, which besides being popular with hikers is
home to a wide variety of dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies. Although rarely seen,
rattlesnakes are known to inhabit all trail habitats, so proceeding with caution is mandatory.
photo: Roy Michelotti
The 800-foot descent is steep, requiring scrambling over basalt boulders and careful
footwork in paleo-river cobbles that are a reasonable substitute for ball bearings. We begin
in pinon-juniper habitat, hike through juniper-grassland habitat that is populated with
wildflowers, prickly-pear and cholla cactus, and enter a riparian habitat dominated by
cottonwood and willow. We will hike downstream, parallel to the Rio Grande, and pass by
several small springs with wetland vegetation before we encounter our first petroglyphs.
We will take several off-trail excursions to see some amazing solitary petroglyphs and
petroglyph panels.
Lunch will be at a pool below a spring-fed waterfall. The seasoned desert hiker will be
appropriately attired (no skinny dipping!) to enjoy the cool water and evaporative cooling
effect of wet clothing during the steep and unshaded ascent. On the way up we will
encounter many individual petroglyphs and take several off-trail detours to visit petroglyph
panels. One off-trail excursion will be a half-mile (one-mile round trip) relatively flat walk to
Newspaper Rock, with well over fifty petroglyphs. On this side trip we will pass through
agricultural terraces that are still intact hundreds of years after they were abandoned by
Native Americans who farmed in White Rock Canyon.
We complete the steep ascent scrambling over boulders and loose gravel with a few last
petroglyphs as our reward. At the top we will walk along a neighborhood road (expect
minimal traffic) for .6 miles and wait in a shaded spot for a vehicle shuttle and pick up. This
entire hike is (from 5440 to 6430 feet) lower than any part of any other Summit hike, so
while it will likely be a bit hotter, it will also give Summiteers exposure to a uniquely different
ecosystem.
Vega Redonda Meadows to 10,100 ft.
8 -3:30 Sun. & Mon.
Danny McMurphy
Vigorous;
65 min. drive
6.5 mile
hike
1200 ft.
climb
While roughly 70% of this hike is forested, we’ll hike up into picturesque high meadows
(“parks”) Aspens abound; elk if we’re lucky. We’ll be in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness,
photo: Danny McMurphy
the only alpine Wilderness Area within driving distance for us. When scouting this hike in
October, Danny, a very experienced New Mexico mountain hike leader, reported that “the
gradual climb on this trail shouldn’t hold back any Summiteer.”
The meadow’s wetlands and beaver pond environs flourish with bluegrass, oat grass,
sedge, rush, and abundant wildflowers peaking when we’re present, including the showy
blue / purple Rocky Mtn. iris. (Danny is a wildflower expert.) If time and enthusiasm permit
we can even extend this hike an extra mile to the meadows along the headwaters of Oso
Creek at 10,300 ft.
“Damp granitic soils produce extensive meadows interrupted by open stands of fir and
spruce, offering an expansive feeling not often found high in the mountains.” (Craig Martin,
100 Hikes in NM.) This is a popular trail, regarded as the best in the Wilderness Area by
the National Forest rangers with whom we talked.
FOR ALL HIKERS:
For each hike: pack carefully (see list below), pick up a bag lunch for all-day hikes,
and….be on time (please.*)
Agility and conditioning:
“The greatest assets that you can bring into the backcountry are common sense and a grasp of your
limitations.” (Bob D’Antonio, Santa Fe – Taos Hiking Guide (2011.))
For hikes requiring particularly keen conditioning and/or for the Cerro Pedernal and Kitchen Mesa hikes that require
more agility (rock scrambles, 12 to 15 foot near-vertical climbs), hike leaders may be contacting you individually
before the hike for a joint assessment. We want you and the group to be happy, and our goal is to eliminate potential
discontent between the bulk of the group and a Summiteer who might select a hike not appropriate for their
conditioning or agility level. After all, everyone has a desire to make it as far as the advertised hike destination.
These Summit hikes (above) are “destination hikes” (though some interpretation may be included.) Alternatively,
numerous other Summit programs include more interpretation (on a ramble or short hike focusing on an
interesting environmental topic.)
Personal medications, medical conditions:
Please let your hike leader or the Summit office know the day before the hike about any personal medications or
medical conditions or injuries that could affect you on the trail during moderate to strenuous activity.
What to bring:
•
•
•
•
small backpack
personal medications
sun block, sunglasses, and a hat with a brim for sun protection (umbrellas in the wind can be more trouble than
they’re worth)
your bag lunch (if an all day hike) and a zip lock or non-paper bag for trash & lunch residue
• if desired: bug repellent if we’ve had some recent rains in the mountains (likely.)
• if desired: camera, binoculars, nature field guides
• Water: Bring water, and lots of it, for this sunny, hot, arid region. A minimum of 3 liters of water per
person is required at this Summit for all-day hikes per person, as recommended in the National Park guides
and hiking guidebooks for this area in summer. Yes, that’s three of those liter-sized Nalgene water bottles or
similar. You can’t depend on your leaders carrying extra, as 4, 5 liters gets heavy. Substituting Gatorade or a
similar mix is not a bad idea at all…or “G2”, its low calorie, low carbohydrate version, or similar mix packets
(purchase ahead of time online.) Some folks will want to add a lot of ice in at least one of their water bottles
using the Ghost Ranch lodging ice machines.
Bringing multiple water containers rather than just one is an advantage on several of our hikes where we can
all leave a cache of water at ½ or 1/3 of the way, lightening our loads for the peak.
• Footwear:
Hiking boots are recommended. Don’t bring new boots in which to hike…break them in!
(For those determined to hike in other shoes such as sneakers, beware that Northern New Mexico is rocky
with uneven trails, and often gets afternoon thunderstorms; wet shoes can lead quickly to blisters.) Let your
hike leader know right away if you feel blisters starting (“hot spots.”)) and/or bring appropriate band aids or
moleskin with you……Nothing but a pair of cotton socks is discouraged. For many, a thin synthetic liner
(inner sock) under a wool or synthetic sock will wick perspiration away and help reduce the friction that leads
to blisters. For others, a single pair of wool or synthetic (not cotton) hiking socks will work.
• Rain gear:
Bring durable rain gear. The rain gear should keep out water in a steady rain, though rain is
not all that likely during mornings at this Summit. Since you will eventually get wet in any significant
rainstorm, synthetic layers that still insulate when wet are highly recommended for wear under rain gear….
• Cotton?
Yes but…. A cotton shirt in this dry, hot climate is ok only if you also bring a synthetic shirt
in a zip lock in your pack to change into when it drops 15 degrees in an hour with rain, ice, and wind
(especially at higher altitudes, even in July.) The New Mexico Mtn. Club correctly points out that “cotton
does not wick moisture quickly and when it’s damp in wind, cotton draws heat from your body….If jeans get
wet, they will not dry quickly…and can restrict movement when trying to climb over trail obstacles.”
However, for these July hikes, cotton shirts are generally ok and can even be dipped into streams (or a
bandanna) for an evaporative cooling effect when worn.
•
•
Those other objects often seen on hiking “what to bring” lists, from first aid kits to whistles to
map/compass/GPS, will be carried by your hike leaders.
A note about cell phones, personal listening devices:
Personal listening devices should not be brought to Summit programs.
During Summit hikes, please turn cell phones off and/or set them to “vibrate” and ask your family and friends
to call you only for emergencies…not that cell phones will work in our remote areas. Your kids are in good
hands.
Hiking Safety Tips
Altitude
Our New Mexico Ghost Ranch Summit site at 6,500 feet is over 1,500 feet lower than the 2012 Rocky Mtn. Nat’l
Park Summit site and just 150 feet higher than the 2010 Lake Tahoe Summit site. At 6,500 feet, very few if any
individuals will experience altitude-related discomfort. However, altitude sickness strikes more than 60 percent of
people who ascend to elevations of 8,000 to 10,000 feet or higher in too short a period of time. For that reason,
we have scheduled most of our higher elevation hikes later in the week to allow for some acclimatization. Of our ten
different Summit hikes, five are at high altitude (reaching 9,000, 9,860, 10,100, 10,300, and 11,100 feet.)
Another key to hiking at altitude is hydration. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, “make yourself drink water before
starting a hike and periodically along the trail.” (Bob D’Antonio, NM hike guidebook author.) If your leaders
forget, demand periodic bathroom breaks on Summit hikes (“guys one direction, gals the other direction”.)
Caffeinated drinks are fine and hydrate almost as well as water, including at altitude, for those who have developed a
tolerance to caffeine (most Americans!) according to (http://www.lightandmatter.com/article/hiking_water.html and
also the Mayo clinic website; we recommend against regular coffee or caffeine consumers cutting themselves off at
altitude. Symptoms of altitude sickness include hangover-like symptoms such as dizziness, lack of energy, nausea,
and headaches. Age or fitness level plays no role in whether or not you get altitude sickness.
Heat / Storms / Weather
Hot sunny weather will likely impact this Summit’s outdoor activities more than at most previous Summits. See the
“Water” section above.
All five week-long Summit hike leaders scouted hikes at and near Ghost Ranch last fall, and we also absorbed
trail scouting reports from the Teen and Young Adult Directors. We rejected more hikes that we scouted than we
accepted for our schedule, and did so in part in an effort to find shadier and/or higher elevation hikes to mitigate the
hot and sunny conditions leading to heat stroke or other problems. We’ve got simply the best hikes! We also added
a new column to the hike table above: “approximate percentage of the hike in good forest cover” (i.e., shade.)
*Also, for the first Summit in many years, we have no hikes starting in the afternoon and we’ll aim for on-time
morning get-a-ways because…… Eight of our past nine Summits have been in summer hiking meccas….Here in
New Mexico most local hike leaders refrain from doing anything but the shadier, higher hikes in the hot summer
weather, we’re mostly following their example with our schedule. This puts an extra premium on not having folks
coming to the start of Summit hikes late; we’ll leave on time!
Ghost Ranch averages a morning low of 57 (record 36) and afternoon high of 86 (record 99) during our week.
We start actual hiking on Summit hikes this year as early as 8, as late as 9:30, meaning they’ll be plenty of time for it
to warm up with sunrise at 5:55 a.m. (sunset is at 8:25.) Some hikes (see table, above) will reach as much as 4,600
feet in elevation above Ghost Ranch, meaning as much as about a dozen degrees cooler than Ghost Ranch. Ghost
Ranch is a near-desert climate with 10.3 inches of annual precipitation, however some of our hikes are in mountains
with over four times that amount (nice NM map of that at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/pcpn/nm.gif.) The rainy monsoon
season begins in mid-July in this area, but is “ramping up” in early July. So…
…Be prepared to hike in thunderstorms. Northern New Mexico has the second highest frequency of
thunderstorms in the US (http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/newmexico/.) The accompanying lightning can kill
(rare) or cause serious injury. On Summit hikes, we will get off ridges or peaks and will get out of open areas well
ahead of time. A forest with a high density of trees is as safe as you will find in the outdoors during a thunderstorm.
In the very unlikely case that we are caught in a large, inescapable open area, we will avoid lone objects such as a
large rock or tree and, with lightning striking nearby, we will spread out (min. 15 ft.), crouch down, feet together,
squatting low, in a low swale or dry ravine if possible, but not under an overhang nor next to a building’s outside
wall. If available, we’ll place feet on a backpack (no metal) or anything else that will insulate us from the ground,
trying to become a “human basketball.” Lightning strike victims have among the highest survival rates among heart
stoppage cases if CPR is properly administered until medical help/equipment arrives. Tornadoes are extremely rare in
our Summit area. None were recorded over the recent-most five year period
(http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/New-Mexico .)
Flash floods are a concern in this region. We’ve chosen hikes that avoid dangerous, narrow box canyons where the
flood danger is present. On July 7, 2015, the largest flood of the past century at Ghost Ranch destroyed several
outbuildings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qGCWjl5vHg), but the fortunate lack of any injuries or fatalities
was in part due to the topography at Ghost Ranch which allows for quick escape in the relatively flattish valley. Only
the uppermost part of the Box Canyon hike at Ghost Ranch has no quick escape route (it’s a narrow dead end arroyo
with vertical canyon walls), and we’ll not be there with heavy rain anywhere in or near that Arroyo del Yeso
watershed.
Giardia:
Do not drink straight from streams. Giardia are microscopic organisms found in lakes and streams
even in the backcountry, especially near livestock. In cyst form, Giardia enter surface water when animal or humans
defecate in or near the water. Giardia can cause severe diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and weight loss a couple weeks
after ingestion. To prevent Giardiasis, carry water, or bring water to a full boil, or use a water filter system that
eliminates that organism.
Ticks:
This region has much less of a tick problem than most of our Summit areas, even less so at higher
elevations (and virtually no poison ivy or poison oak.) Hiking book author Bob D’Antonio “has never seen a tick
while hiking in the woods of northern New Mexico.”
Black Bears:
The chances are very remote of a problematic black bear encounter with groups of our size
(unlike the 2015 Summit!), even less likely with mountain lions. Here is some general advice:
•
•
•
•
If a black bear is observed nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate
the area as soon as possible.
If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans
together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it.
If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Never run away from a bear—back
away slowly and make lots of noise.
If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object (rock, hiking pole)
available. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead
is not appropriate
Timber Rattlesnakes:
The chances are very remote that you will ever be bitten—unless you make poor life
decisions like deliberately approaching a rattlesnake. When climbing or descending steps or a rocky cliff, never
place your hands where you can’t see, and try not to do that with your feet either.
A strike more than half of a body length (the snake’s, not yours) from a snake is rare. An individual has a 1 in 10
million chance of dying of a snakebite in the U.S. …only 10 to 20 persons a year. The most important thing is to stay
calm. Move away from the snake. The snake will probably be rattling as you move, even if it wasn’t earlier. It will
be just as interested in getting away from you as you are from it. In 64% of 1,300 poisonous snake bites studied in
the US, little or no venom was actually injected and no anti-venom or significant medical treatment was used. There
are no coral snakes in our Summit hiking region.
Smoking:
Cigarette litter impacts park roadsides, trails and parking areas. Smoldering butts can also start
wildfires and we are in wildfire country. If you must smoke, please completely extinguish smoking materials and
dispose of them in containers in your pack.
Our philosophy:
Please remember the traditional Summit hiking philosophy: hiking in groups with an
experienced hike leader and experienced hike assistant is safer, likely more fun and more interesting, but does not
absolve individual hikers from individual responsibility (all the above items.) We’ll stay together (nobody wanders
off alone, please) and by your enrollment, you agree that the hike leader gets to “call the shots” for the good of the
group. In addition, unlike most recent Summits, this area has few hikes that are blazed or well marked throughout, so
please help your Summit hike leaders by being observant. As a dividend, you’ll see more along the trails in this
beautiful and interesting hiking region!