Santa Fe Baldy

[Jim]

Looks like with scheduling and a number of other things, this day is the last one where I can hike Santa Fe Baldy as a trip from Alamogordo. Thought I would post it, in case anyone has similar interest. Not sure, but it will still be cold, and probably very windy. Should hopefully be scenic. Personally, I think September and early October, and June, are probably the best non-monsoon months to hike this.

Ironically, I had wanted to and planned to hike this last June, when I went to Taos and Durango, but two large fires in the Pecos prevented me from doing so. Durango was a lot of fun, anyway. I had my Colorado 14er blinders on in September, and had a unique early season snow experience on San Luis, which was fine, but felt I missed a golden opportunity to hike this and maybe some other 12ers when I stopped in Santa Fe on the way home. Oh well, enough story telling. If the stars align, it might be a great early season hike.

[rwstorm]

@Jim_H
For me even your originally posted date for this one (around Memorial Day weekend) is too early. You probably are going to encounter a fair amount of snow, even in this dry winter.

[Jim]

I expect to, but I will bring crampons, and for fun, my axe. It will most likely all be in the trees. Snotel on the mountain still reports 2 feet. I will probably encounter a packed and icy trail, but I have few options if I want to hike it before I leave. I had originally planned on doing it in June, and again in July or August, and perhaps September, too, but with the move there is too much uncertainty. I regret not hiking it last year, but I can't do much about that. It is early, I know, but what can you do? The only other option is to forget it.

[slegal]

I'd be up for it in July, but not this month. Have fun.

[Jim]

Well, I may not be doing the trip. I'll decide tomorrow, but the current forecast for the peak, or 800' below the peak, is partly sunny, high of 40, 50% chance of snow, and winds to 45 mph. It won't be any nicer on the summit. I don't know.

[rwstorm]

@Jim_H
Do it the way I would...wait until August or early September, take a nice road trip for a few days to enjoy the Santa Fe area, and do the hike. Weather will be nice at the top then, not a freeze your off deal.

[Jim]

Yeah, I know. The thing is, before the move came, I was planning on doing just that. I was going to go up maybe late this month, but definitely in June during a 2 week time off while going to Colorado, and then again perhaps in July and/ or August, and in September when it's really nice up there. I was in Santa Fe a few times last summer and fall, and really like visiting, but never was able to do the hike. I was planning on going up to Santa Fe often this summer, since it was so nice last year, and it is only 3 1/2 hours away, and I really enjoy the scenic drive once north of Corrizozo and out on the grasslands. I know I planned this too early, but I was hoping to get away with it. I'll decide in the morning.

[rwstorm]

@Jim_H
Well, good luck with whatever you decide. It's 520 miles from Tucson to Santa Fe (know the drive well and like it). My favorite way there is to go by way of Mule Creek, Datil, and Socorro to catch I-25. Beautiful scenery. And if you are in a hurry to get back, just run down I-25 to the Hatch cutoff to Deming, and bingo it's done!

[Jim]

Well, all may not be lost. It isn't a 12,000' mountain, and it really isn't alpine, but I might hike Sierra Blanca instead. I'd come from Ruidoso, not 3 rivers.

[Jim]

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph increasing to 30 to 35 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

That is the 11,650' point forecast from the NWS for the west side of Santa Fe Baldy. With 1,000' to go up, and everything else, it just doesn't seem smart to drive up, get a room, enjoy town, and hike in winter. 50 MPH gust don't seem bad, but I expect higher on the summit, and that just wouldn't be fun, at all. :tt: We need a crying smiley!

I'm really thinking about Sierra Blanca, instead. Maybe today, though, as tomorrow has a 70 MPH wind forecast!

[rwstorm]

@Jim_H
Same advice as with Santa Fe Baldy...wait until later in the year. Good luck.

[Jim]

No need, I was on it's brother on Monday, even with wind that was fine. Lookout Mountain.

We're so much milder down here, from northern NM, that even at 30 feet shy of 12,000', it's relatively balmy. Wind is the enemy, but today might be A-OK.