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Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail #5006 - 1 member in 4 triplogs has rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Jul 09 2021
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 Guides 187
 Routes 990
 Photos 12,079
 Triplogs 865

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Taylor Canyon Loop T5007, NM 
Taylor Canyon Loop T5007, NM
 
Hiking avatar Jul 09 2021
markthurman53 • Triplogs 865
Hiking8.87 Miles 1,281 AEG
Hiking8.87 Miles   4 Hrs   46 Mns   1.97 mph
1,281 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Taylor Canyon Trail #T5007
Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail #5006
Schofield/Benson Canyon Trail #5007C
Schofield/Taylor Canyon Trail #T5007D
Schofield Canyon Trail #5007A
Partners partners
mamakatt22
On our last day of hiking we did the Taylor Canyon Trail, Benson Ridge and a portion of the Schofield Trail. This was a 9 mile loop trail with lots of elevation gain, 1300 feet. This was probably the most scenic hike we had done on this trip, with green meadows, and ridge line views. All these trails are along old Jeep trails or logging track beds, so there is no worry about getting off trail. The only hard part is when you come to a trail junction, which one to take; know what the trail names are or have your route on a GPS. Getting up to Benson Ridge is the only steep part of this hike, once on the ridge it is smooth hiking. The weather was perfect, blue skies, puffy white clouds and lots of green trees and grass. With the completion of this hike we had done almost all the trails on the Benson Ridge and Canyon area. Next time we come to Cloudcroft we will hit the canyon and ridge just to the south of this area. I figure if we do a trip like this once or twice a year we may be able to finish up most of the trails around Cloudcroft in our lifetime.
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Jul 08 2021
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 Guides 187
 Routes 990
 Photos 12,079
 Triplogs 865

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Benson Canyon Trail T5005 Lower, NM 
Benson Canyon Trail T5005 Lower, NM
 
Hiking avatar Jul 08 2021
markthurman53 • Triplogs 865
Hiking11.00 Miles 1,644 AEG
Hiking11.00 Miles   5 Hrs   30 Mns   2.14 mph
1,644 ft AEG      21 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Benson Canyon Trail #T5005
Benson Canyon Spur Trail 2 #T5005B
Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail #5006
Partners partners
mamakatt22
On day 3 of our trip I told Ginny we would do another 5 - 6 mile hike, Turned out to be 11.5, I was close. After a short visit to Bluff Spring we finished up the lower Benson Canyon T5005 today and headed up to Benson Ridge along the Benson Canyon Spur Tail T5005B. We took what use to be a trail on up to the Benson Ridge/Bluff Spring Trail T5006. This was a good hike to practice route finding. Most of the route along the "what use to be a trail" was me pretending to know where I was going while I searched for any sign of a trail. The starting and ending parts of the route were along a very faint jeep trail but the middle section was me guessing. I knew where I had to be at the finish so what more do I need to know? If we hadn't taken this trail we would not of seen the bear. This was a brown colored bear and once again it didn't notice us. It was hard to get a good picture because the brush was pretty thick and the camera kept focusing on the brush in front of me. You could say we were stalking the bear as it wondered through the trees rummaging around unaware of us (about 50 yards away). Ginny got the best video of the bear just before a jet flew overhead and the bear scurried off. We found our way back to the trail and our off trail excursion was done. Once back on the trail we headed down to Bluff Spring and our start point.
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Dec 23 2013
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail #5006Southeast, NM
Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail #5006
Southeast, NM
Snowshoeing avatar Dec 23 2013
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Snowshoeing4.00 Miles 1,035 AEG
Snowshoeing4.00 Miles   3 Hrs   30 Mns   1.14 mph
1,035 ft AEG8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
With a real snowstorm, I thought it would be fun to snowshoe. Today was my first time in almost 2 years. The last time was at 12,000' in Colorado. Today I topped out on a small hill at 9,175'. It was also a lot harder than I remember, with the snow being heavy and wet and sticking to my shoes. I would call it Spring Slop, if I was on the Peaks. It does have me questioning my ability to do a mountain, like Jura Knob or Engineer Mountain, up in Colorado next month. I was much more tired than normal after an even longer hike. Pretty though, and peaceful. That is, until I decided to get my car stuck up Alamo Peak Road. Mostly just while turning around.
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Apr 12 2013
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail #5006Southeast, NM
Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail #5006
Southeast, NM
Hiking avatar Apr 12 2013
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Hiking7.00 Miles 1,582 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles   4 Hrs      1.75 mph
1,582 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I knew my feet couldn't take a 20 mile hike to get 4500' of AEG, so Alamo Peak from town was out. I looked for a hike, but nothing really excited me. I ended up thinking it might be fun to head up to the top of the Sacramento Plateau/Hills, or as it is more commonly known: The Sacramento Mountains. Well, a mountain is a relative thing. This area is so very reminiscent of the Mogollon Rim area of the Colorado Plateau.

I was hoping for a little warmer temps, but a cloud layer moved in right as I was driving up. It was overcast and actually very cold the entire time. Why I wore shorts is beyond me. New found Valley ignorance? Wishful thinking? Stupidity? I don't know, but even in Alamo it wasn't that warm yesterday, and at nearly 10,000' it was cold. COLD!!! I suspect it was only in the lower 40s on top. Perhaps, but not likely, the 30s. Great for Texas, the dog, who did not do well on the A Trail with temps in the high 60s, but cold for a warm loving beast such as myself.

Nice hike: easy, relaxed, and it smelled nice with all the fir. Not for summer or when the tourist ATV crowd arrives. This reminded me a lot of Mormon Mountain, south of Flagstaff, except the rock is all limestone, not basalt. The summit needs a fire tower or something. I imagine the 360 degree views on a clear day are great.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dog
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average hiking speed 1.75 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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