Gopher Snake
Location: 35.190673828125, -106.383255004883
©Bill Velasquez
Legunita Seca
Location: 35.227668762207, -106.3994140625
©Bill Velasquez
NMT001
Location: 35.1814308166504, -106.377098083496
Head N in pungent coniferous forest on Faulty Trail (locally known as North Mystery Trail, because no one knows who built it); diamond blazes carved into tree trunks mark way
NMT002
Location: 35.1877593994141, -106.377899169922
L @ T on saddle; go W, then SW for ascent on diamond-blazed trail
NMT003
Location: 35.1878814697266, -106.382499694824
Climb steepens as NE views open up for the first time; catch glimpse of forested hills dropping down to expansive valley
NMT004
Location: 35.1900215148926, -106.38330078125
Follow ridgeline N on cushy pine needles; gopher snakes bask on rocks. Look W for views of Tecolote Peak
NMT005
Location: 35.1972274780273, -106.385330200195
Continue N through Tecolote Canyon's lush woods; tecolote means owl, so keep an eye out; you may spot a great horned owl
NMT006
Location: 35.2131118774414, -106.386596679688
Trail passes under power line, then briefly veers W
NMT007
Location: 35.2154388427734, -106.387802124023
Cross seasonal creek in Cañon Madera ("wood canyon"); ascent ahead
NMT008
Location: 35.2225685119629, -106.386337280273
Trail cuts L (W) on small saddle
NMT009
Location: 35.2236289978027, -106.392501831055
Pass another diamond blaze cut into tree trunk; continue SW
NMT010
Location: 35.2276344299316, -106.399490356445
Emerge at Lagunita Seca ("small dry lake"), golden meadow beneath Palomas Peak; retrace route. Peakbaggers: To add 8,685-ft. summit, go W for 500 ft. to T with Palomas Cliffs Trail; turn R; follow .5 mi. to Palomas Peak
Trail Views
Location: 35.1877593994141, -106.382545471191
©Bill Velasquez
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