The first full day out there my bro and I rode about 40 on the bike paths that run throughout the city. It was a nice and easy ride and helped loosen up my legs a little after having been slacking for a while. I failed to take any good pictures on this ride...so I'll just start with introducing my bro's dogs, Roja (left) and Chica (right). They would accompany us on the rides and hikes for the rest of the week.
On Thanksgiving day we did roughly a 4 hour hike in the Sandias. My bro knew of a trail less traveled that ends up underneath the tram cables and provides many scenic views. Unfortunately I didn't take too many pics this day either...but here's one looking up at the tram (the little white spec in the sky).
The day after Thanksgiving we threw the mountain bikes in the car and headed out to the White Mesa Bike Trails, roughly one hour north of Albuquerque near the Ojito Wilderness. This is where I took the bulk of my pictures, or at least the decent ones...
As you can see it was quite rocky, but the gypsum that forms the mesa is pretty brittle. Many rocks that couldn't be avoided would simply shatter beneath the tires upon impact.
It was a little chilly, but not a cloud in the sky.
I still can't believe how fit these dogs are. It didn't matter how fast you could possibly ride or how hard you could push them...they simply had insurmountable energy and would eventually catch you.
The Dragon's Back trail. You can see the ridge down the center of the picture that the trails follows...beautiful trail/views!
It was pretty neat to ride some different singletrack trails other than what I'm used to. Rocky, but at least you aren't constantly worried about being ejected off the bike in to a tree, as is common at Levis or in the Chequamegon. Being ejected off a cliff however - still a concern!
Over the weekend we decided head down to the Ladron Mountains roughly one hour south of Albuquerque for an overnighter. We built a "legendary" rock pit/ring for a fire as is the custom on my camping trips in New Mexico. Enjoying some whiskey, cigars, a few growlers filled with local brew pub beer, delicious leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner cooked on the skillet, and spending time with family around the fire more or less completes the trip.
The following morning I only managed to take one picture (above) at the beginning of the hike before my phone died. This was essentially my view through the tent window in the morning. Considering this was now my golden birthday...I couldn't have asked for anything better!
On the last day of my stay, I was actually feeling a little lazy and wasn't sure about lining up another hike or ride for the day. I suggested to my sister that we do something touristy. She in turn suggested we do the Eye of Sandia hike...possibly the most touristy hike you can find in the foothills. Works for me!
A little snow flurries and decent winds gusts blew in mid-hike. As soon as we were tucked around the canyon near the painting the sun came out for a bit, and made for a nice day.
"Urban legend has it that the eye represents the mountain crying over the encroachment of the city. Nobody knows who is responsible for the original painting or the recent new coat of paint, but half the fun is the hike anyway." -- http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/26952
We had to hike out soon as we were running out of daylight. The brief moment I had snapping pics of the eye actually felt like more of a reflection on my own sadness that it was already my last day in New Mexico...what a great trip! Heading back to the frigid mid-west...but there's no doubt that I'll use the week of fresh air to pull though the rough winter. Cheers!
Over the weekend we decided head down to the Ladron Mountains roughly one hour south of Albuquerque for an overnighter. We built a "legendary" rock pit/ring for a fire as is the custom on my camping trips in New Mexico. Enjoying some whiskey, cigars, a few growlers filled with local brew pub beer, delicious leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner cooked on the skillet, and spending time with family around the fire more or less completes the trip.
The following morning I only managed to take one picture (above) at the beginning of the hike before my phone died. This was essentially my view through the tent window in the morning. Considering this was now my golden birthday...I couldn't have asked for anything better!
On the last day of my stay, I was actually feeling a little lazy and wasn't sure about lining up another hike or ride for the day. I suggested to my sister that we do something touristy. She in turn suggested we do the Eye of Sandia hike...possibly the most touristy hike you can find in the foothills. Works for me!
A little snow flurries and decent winds gusts blew in mid-hike. As soon as we were tucked around the canyon near the painting the sun came out for a bit, and made for a nice day.
"Urban legend has it that the eye represents the mountain crying over the encroachment of the city. Nobody knows who is responsible for the original painting or the recent new coat of paint, but half the fun is the hike anyway." -- http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/26952
We had to hike out soon as we were running out of daylight. The brief moment I had snapping pics of the eye actually felt like more of a reflection on my own sadness that it was already my last day in New Mexico...what a great trip! Heading back to the frigid mid-west...but there's no doubt that I'll use the week of fresh air to pull though the rough winter. Cheers!
