Sunrise on the way up
8 JULY 2022 W5N/OT-026
| Route: | Cross-country |
| Hike Distance: | .8 miles round trip |
| Elevation Gain: | 530′ |
| Navigation: | Easy |
| Steepness: | Steep |
| Vehicle: | Passenger car |
| Road: | 9 miles dirt (dry weather only!) |
| Cell Coverage: | Indeterminate. My phone had to be reset after this trip. |
Last winter I attempted to do Tres Orejas but turned around about half way down Star Road. The muddy ruts were simply too deep and I kept slipping into them. I did not want to get stuck. This time the roads were mostly dry but the deep ruts were still there, like they were set in concrete. Such is the nature of the volcanic mud on the Taos Mesa. I followed Tom K6TAA’s instructions and was able to take Whitedog, my Tacoma 4×4, up the side road a ways to a nice, secluded parking area in the Carson National Forest.
The hike is short and steep with even a short 3rd class section. The view of the Taos Mesa and Sangre de Christo Mountains at sunrise was breathtaking. It was a little too windy to fly Chester the drone.
KG6MZS 