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| Tunnel birdhouse Ridge Loop, NM | |
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| | Tunnel birdhouse Ridge Loop, NM | | | |
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Tunnel birdhouse Ridge Loop, NM
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| Hiking | 6.70 Miles |
1,030 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.70 Miles | 3 Hrs 38 Mns | | 1.86 mph |
| 1,030 ft AEG | 2 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Ginny and I were heading back to Tucson but first we stopped off in Albuquerque for 2 days of hiking. Our first stop was along I-40 in the town of Tijeras, Took Hwy 377 south into the Manzanita Mountains of the Cibola National Forest to the Otero Trailhead. Once at the trailhead we checked out the posted map of the area and discovered there are quite a few trails in this area. The Grand Enchantment Trail passes through here. Grand Enchantment Trail starts in Phoenix and ends in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque. We arrived around noon from Lubbock and had about 4 hours of daylight to hike. We opted to take the Otero Canyon Trail to the Tunnel Canyon Trail and return along the Birdhouse Ridge Trail. The trail is at about 7000 feet elevation and last week’s snow storm left snow/ice along the north facing slopes. The temps were in the low 50’s so it was perfect hiking weather.
The first .3 miles along the Otero Canyon Trail were wet and really muddy but once on the Tunnel Canyon Trail it was easier walking. Only along the north facing slopes were icy. It was fairly easy hiking down to the Tunnel Canyon Trailhead, about 2.6 miles. Juniper pinion pine forest. Great views to the north of Sandia Mountains to the East of Albuquerque and further North of the 12000’ers of Santa Fe and to the north.
On the return trip we took the Birdhouse Ridge Trail. This return trail contours the Tunnel Canyon Trail but a bit higher up. This trail was not as icy as there was more sun exposure during the day. This trails southern end joins with the Tunnel Canyon Trail. Great views along this trail too. Once back at our starting point we headed back to I 40 and to Albuquerque were we will spend the night. |
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