New Mexico

[trekkin_gecko]

considering a trip in early october
been to chaco with john, loved it
recent triplogs from bandelier national monument and nambe badlands look fun
city of rocks is on the list
any recommendations for camping and hiking would be greatly appreciated
i'll do some research, but it would be nice to know haz member favorites
thanks!

[Nobody01]

If you haven’t done the Gila it’s a good hike. Little bear middle fork loop would be a good day hike considering you move rather quickly. There was recent maintenance on middle fork to Jordan hot springs which has the trail in good shape; should be completed all the way to the meadows by now. However, likely to be very different by October.

[nonot]

I have personally enjoyed the Gila Wilderness, Nobody01 lists the most popular backpacking loop, but the hike to Jordan hot springs can be done as a dayhike, as well as going up west fork and back as a long dayhike, plus there is the cliff/cave dwellings tour which is worth doing once. Other dayhikes are possible and you could probably dayhike different trails each day for a week just from the central trailheads.

White Sands NM is worth visiting once, I imagine you could probably hike all the trails in a day if you were motivated, else break it into two leisurely days.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Gila is nice. Tsankawi trail opens back up in October at Bandelier. Waiting to take kids there until it opens back up. [ photoset ]
We enjoyed this even more than the Bandelier main area.

[trekkin_gecko]

thanks
will look at gila
white sands, too

[AugustWest]

Love the area around Questa. A ton of options including Rio Grande Del Norte, and the Sangre De Cristo.