[Note: This event is free for Members. For Non-Members, the price is: Become A Member! You can write a check or pay cash on the day of the event. See our website for membership options at: http://www.losamigosdevallescaldera.org.]
Dear Los Amigos Member (and future members),
We are pleased to remind you about our Members’ and Oldtimers’ Barbeque and Hike on the Valles Caldera National Preserve! This event permits members to enjoy a day on the Preserve, starting with a hike at 9 a.m. Last year, 21 hikers were driven in the Preserve’s vans to the foot of Cerro Abrigo for a seven-mile hike led by Craig Martin. Craig told stories about the Preserve’s history as the hikers circumnavigated the volcanic mound. This year, on Sunday, July 20, we are offering a hike on Cerro Seco, an opportunity to continue our clean-up of the Historic District, and a barbeque for members and oldtimers — people who spent time on the Preserve before it was purchased by the government.
Hike. The Valles Caldera Trust is allowing us to hike Cerro Seco on Sunday morning. This is approximately a four-hour hike.
Hikers should arrive at the Valle Grande Staging Area (off the main gate on Highway 4) between 9:00 am and 9:30 am. The Trust will provide vans to transport hikers to the base of Cerro Seco. Greg Kendall will lead the hike. The hike is seven miles long with a 700-foot elevation gain. It's consider a "moderate" hike by the Preserve (they rate hikes as easy, moderate, strenuous) You will see outstanding views of much of the Preserve. The Preserves website describes the hike this way:
"This hike begins with a van ride along the western boundary of the Preserve through the Sulphur Springs area. The Cerro Seco Trail offers gorgeous views of the Valle San Antonio. You will wander in and out of tall pines and aspens on an old two-track logging road. This trail offers a loop that will circle the Cerro Seco eruptive dome. Enjoy the solitude and the feeling that your are far, far away from civilization."
Hikers will need to bring: rain protection; a snack and lunch; a half-gallon of water (1.9 liters); appropriate clothing, footwear, and sunburn protection.
Space is limited to 25, so let us know soon if you wish to attend the hike.
After the hike, hikers will be transported to the Bunkhouse for the BBQ.
Clean-up. On June 7, 30 Los Amigos volunteers came out to help the Preserve clean up the Historic Headquarters Area in preparation for the summer recreation season. Trust (and Los Amigos) Board member Tracy Hephner and Trust Landscape Architect Rourke McDermott led us as we did maintenance in the headquarters area. We broke into two groups: one painted propane tanks and the other built wooden enclosures around them. Several volunteers from the Forest Service who were chain-saw certified spent their time cleaning up a ponderosa that had fallen in the historic district.
We were missing some latillas and other supplies and so were not able to complete all the tasks we had hoped to get to. Therefore, we plan to continue our work on July 20 and hope you will join us. The Bunkhouse has facilities for showers, etc., to get you ready for the barbeque.
BBQ. Those members who plan to attend only the BBQ should arrive between 3:00 and 3:30 pm. Volunteer vehicles will transport members from the Valle Grande Staging Area to the Bunkhouse. There will be a history talk at 4:00 pm. The BBQ will begin around 5:00 pm. There will be plenty of time for short walks in the area, wildlife viewing, and meeting other Los Amigos members and oldtimers. Volunteers will transport guests back to the Staging Area between 7:30 - 8:00 pm.
The BBQ will include traditional picnic fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, potato salad, dessert, and drinks, as well as northern New Mexican food such as beans, chips and salsa.
Please RSVP before July 16th so we will know how much food to buy, how many hikers and how many cleanup people we will have!
Email info@losamigosdevallescaldera.org or call 505-412-3843. If you have a cushion or camp chair, please bring it. Remember, dogs are not allowed on the Preserve.
Please feel free to contact other people who might be interested in becoming a member of Los Amigos. They can join at the BBQ.
We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity for our members and we look forward to seeing all of you!
Best Wishes,
Doug Fraser, Chair
Los Amigos de Valles Caldera
Board of Directors
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