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Backpacker Magazine – November 2008
Top 3 Night Hikes
These dark-sky treks serve up perfect viewing spots for autumn's intergalactic bling in North Carolina, New Mexico, and California
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Shining Rock Wilderness, NC | Ventana Wilderness, CA | Pecos Wilderness, NM
Pecos Wilderness, NM
See moon detail without a telescope.
At 12,622 feet, Mt. Baldy is the highest peak in the southern Sangre de Cristos, a mountain range stretching 242 miles from Poncha Pass, Colorado, to Glorieta Pass, New Mexico. Hike to its chrome dome summit on November 13th to watch the full moon rising over glass-calm Lake Katherine. Santa Fe's dry desert air and scant light pollution make this location "clear and a million" (airline pilot lingo for "good visibility for about a million miles"). Take the Winsor Trail from the Santa Fe Ski Basin four miles to the Rio Nambe. Ascend 1.5 miles to the Nambe's east fork; set up camp at one of the designated sites. Continue about .75 mile, then head left on Trail 251 to Lake Katherine. Veer north off-trail and climb 1,000 feet and one mile up the summit ridge. Tag the top by 4:30 p.m. to catch both sunset and moonrise. (505-438-7840, fs.fed.us/r3/sfe)
Star Attraction Pick yourself up with a breakfast burrito from Tesuque Village Grocery. Ask for extra guacamole–it's "slap-your-momma good." (505) 988-8848
The Way
From Santa Fe, take NM 475 15 miles north to Santa Fe Ski Basin.
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Sounds like Santa Fe Baldy to me, this is not the way to access Pecos Baldy.
And Wendy, I've hiked this area several times after the summer fire and the trails you use for this hike are not in the burn scar. However, it's quite visible as you ascend.
Pretty sure you have the wrong Baldy. Mt. Baldy is in norther NM near Eagle Nest and the highest peak in that range is Wheeler. Not sure which peak you're thinking of in Pecos.
Wendy, Night hiking is awesome. and I am sure that after a couple of washes your gear will be as good as new after all, it is outdoor gear and it is bound to get dirty. If not then you are not using is correctly.
Joe. No we had no Idea that there were other wilderness areas in New Mexico besides Pecos. thanks for enlightening us.
It is not Mt. Baldy in the Pecos Wilderness. I think they are writing about Santa Fe Baldy. The Truchas peaks are higher.
You do realize this area was completely devasted by wildfires this summer and is likely to have loose, ruined trails, downed and burnt trees, and a serious lack of foliage until the spring?? Walking around this area at night is likely to get you a twisted ankle and sooted stained clothes! It's wisest to stay out of the burned areas. Go south my friends.
Bah! I couldn't agree more about this info coming in late! someone probably just did the Carolina hike and then posted about it after the fact...
Bah! I couldn't agree more about this info coming in late! someone probably just did the Carolina hike and then posted about it after the fact...
Hey Tony, it was in the Oct issue.
You guys do realize there are other wilderness areas in New Mexico besides Pecos, right?
woops, ventana is closed until spring.
Just a heads up, This area is closed till spring due to fire damage.
You should have sent this out in September or at least early November at least, both the Carolina and California say to go in November and it's December 10th! I was actually in the smokies during the meteor shower, but didn't know it, I just saw a few shooting stars! I could have done the night hike!
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