15 Mar Rim Vista Hike near Ghost Ranch, NM

Wednesday March 2

We took advantage of our faux-spring weather to hit the hiking trail! We picked out a hike near Ghost Ranch, which is just outside Abiquiu, NM, about an hour and half drive away. We loaded the van with snacks, sandwich supplies, and two of our co-workers Kali and Hunter and headed west. We found the trailhead easily and took our time getting ready for the 6 mile, 1,200′ gain hike.

We set out with great views of the valley around us. The hike steadily climbed over the first 2 miles, and the hot sun forced all of us to shed layers to tee shirts and tank tops. The last mile of the hike was along the edge of the Mesa de los Viejos, the ground dropping away as we got our workout in climbing to the top at 7,800ft. We had a lovely snack break at the top, Hunter cutting up a boar’s head chorizo with a block of Manchego cheese and some crackers.

The hike down was just as sunny — and I was even a little sunburnt! We arrived back at the van after only an hour and fifteen minutes of downhills easy hiking. We had a leisurely lunch break at the trailhead before driving back to Arroyo Seco. The sun was going down just as we pulled into the property — what a great day off!