DESTINATION Gallinas Nature Trail 1 Photoset
2019-08-20 | | -
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| Hiking | 2.00 Miles |
150 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.00 Miles | | | |
| 150 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | This trail starts at a large parking area west of McAllister Lake, just north of where county road C22C makes its turn north. Easily seen on satellite view. The trailhead as posted on this HAZ description is incorrect, probably derived from what is shown on both US Topo and US Hydro. Perhaps at one time it was over by the ranch ruins, but I would guess there has been a reduction in vehicle access over the years as the emphasis turns more toward nature study vs recreation. This is also evident at McAllister Lake, which at one time had a road along the western shore, with old abandoned rest rooms probably related to picnicking, boating, and fishing use long ago. Low water levels in recent times wouldn't make boating much of an option anyway. So the hike parameters now are about 2.2 miles round trip and about 250 feet of elevation change.
The hike heads across the grassland toward some rocky cliffs overlooking a tributary canyon that feeds into the Gallinas River. There a number of them in the area, and this one had water flowing. I could hear it, but not see it, as I didn't go all the way down off the rim to the bottom (turned back when I started hearing thunder from the storms approaching from the northwest). There are some old stone ranch ruins on the upper portion, probably dating back to the early 1900's.
Perhaps I will go back there again one day, and go further to either get a view of the Gallinas from above, or hike down the tributary canyon until it reaches the river. I liked the transition from grassland to rocky sections with trees.  |
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