Moderate Hiking for Mellow People

Tsping Pueblo

Less than 6 miles
500 feet elevation change
Trail and off trail
Elevation at trailhead - 8,000 feet
No dogs
Relaxed pace

The multistory Pueblo is referred to as Tsping (C - Ping) or Tspin and is the ancestral home of the Tewa Pueblos. It is located at the northern end of the Jemez Mountains overlooking the community of Canones. We will have exceptional views of Abiquiu Reservoir, Cerro Pedernal and the colorful rock formations of the Colorado Plateau. We will be on a good trail to get to the Pueblo and there are switchbacks to make for a pleasant hike. We will be off trail thereafter and trekking poles are helpful.

The drive time is two hours and fifteen minutes each way, the last part of the road is rough, high clearance vehicles are necessary. 4wd is preferred as inclement weather is a possibility. We will take a restroom break at Bodes.

Tsping was occupied between 1275 AD and was abandoned by 1450 AD. The village had more than a 1000 rooms, over 50 caveats (cave dwellings), 15 kivas, one great kiva, a reservoir, an excellent example of a pueblo world shrine, and four plazas. The kivas are unique as most of them are carved into the volcanic tuff.

The area is littered with pottery sherds and stone artifacts of chips of colorful chert. It is illegal to remove these artifacts. Please do not climb or sit on walls. Sorry, no dogs.

Please pay your driver $15.00.

Everyone will be placed on a waitlist and those with the required vehicle will be given priority.

Please make sure you answer the Liability question.

Ball Ranch - BLM Area of Critical Environmental Concern

6 to 7 mile loop hike
Less than 400 feet of elevation change
6500 foot elevation
Exposed - few trees
Off trail and arroyos
Fascinating geology
Poles recommended

Ball Ranch is located southwest of Madrid and is a land of fascinating geologic formations, wild horses, and abundant petrified wood. Some of the petrified logs exceed several hundred pounds and 15 or more feet long. To reach the area we must hike through a very scenic narrow canyon which opens up to the main portion of Ball Ranch.

This loop hike is rated moderate and involves hiking in sandy arroyos, dirt roads and open country. There are no designated trails. The hike is 6 miles or so with an elevation change less than 400 feet. We will be climbing out of some gullies, so trekking poles will come in handy.

The road is bumpy in places so vehicles with high clearance are recommended and 4wd is preferred in case of bad weather. Hikers with the preferred vehicle will be given preference. Riders please pay your driver $10:00.

Dogs are okay but there may be horses which requires you to leash your dog. Please limit your take of stones. Take efforts to minimize your impact. This is an area of environmental concern.

The Bears Ears National Monument is located in southeastern Utah and is renowned for its extraordinary archaeological resources and beautiful geological formations. It has the largest concentration of pre-Columbian archaeological sites in North America. A professional southwest archaeologist will be joining us.

This seven-day outing will explore the canyon country near the community of Bluff. From here we will hike to some of the most spectacular cliff dwellings and petroglyph panels in the southwest. On October 30 we will travel to Cortez and visit Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. The next day we will take a special day tour of the cliff dwellings in the Ute Mountain Tribal Park.

Hiking will be to seven or eight sites with distances less than seven miles and less than 700 feet of elevation change. Hiking will be on slick rock and up arroyos. Climbing ladders is required for the Ute tour.

Everyone will be placed on a waitlist and those with 4wd high clearance vehicles will be given priority along with those that I have hiked with previously. Attendance will be limited to 12.

Attendees may find lodging in Bluff or camp in the Sand Island Campground or surrounding BLM land.

Pets are not allowed on archaeological sites.

Rider fees:
$90 to carpool to Bluff.
$30 to carpool to trailheads

$100 feet for Ute Park.