Attempt to Nambe Lake

Today, started out as a beautiful day. We headed up to the Santa Fe Ski basin to hike to Nambe Lake. The beginning of the hike was beautiful. Everything is so green from the monsoon rains, and there truly is something serene and peaceful just by being in the mountain forest.

This hike begins on the Winsor Trail trailhead at the Santa Fe Ski basin. After about 2-3 miles, the Nambe Lake trail forks off to the right. Here you begin climbing up a side mountain canyon to reach the lake.

After a steep climb up the canyon, we reached the first open mountain meadow and enjoyed running freely through the grass. There is such a sense of freedom being up in the mountains.

However, as soon as we reached the open meadow, the weather began to turn. The sky looked like we were in for an early monsoon storm. As soon as the sky darkened and we heard thunder in the distance, we began our descent. Just look at this ominous sky!

We made our way back down as quickly as we could, but still got caught in a hail storm! The rain and hail was too small for big sis to pay any mind, but luckily for me, my human mama carried me down and helped cover my head from the hail pellets. 

This is one of the unfortunate aspects of hiking in the mountains - especially with how quickly weather can turn at higher elevations. But this is also all part of the adventure. I'm just glad I had my humans to look after me. 

We didn't make it to the lake that day, but there is always next time. Sometimes it's not about the destination, but the journey getting there. 

-Rosie

Hike to Santa Fe Baldy

Most of the snow has melted in the high mountains, so it is time for our first summit hike of the season! This will be little sis's first summit hike, so we are ready for her backpack ride and have lots of extra water for her.

Santa Fe Baldy is the highest point in Santa Fe, rising to 12,361 feet. We took the Winsor Trail from the Santa Fe Ski basin up to the summit - around 14 miles round trip. We started at the trail head early in the morning - everything was so still and moist from the night before, with the sunlight just slowly beginning to stream in through the trees to warm the earth. We had the most stunning day and sunny weather for the hike.

One thing I love about this hike is following this bubbling mountain stream. I can take many stops to cool off and hydrate at the stream before continuing on up the mountain. Nothing like fresh mountain stream water!

Here you can see the top of Santa Fe Baldy - where we are headed. We still have a ways to go!

I was so proud of my lil sis! She made it all the way to the saddle - around 7 miles - before needing to ride in the backpack for the final ascent. She truly is a trooper and is turning into a great little hiker. Just think how many steps she needs to take with her tiny, little legs!

Now for the summit! The final summit ascend of Santa Fe Baldy is challenging. In about 1 mile, you cover almost 2,000 feet in elevation gain. Wooooo! What a hike! But just look at the stunning views! It's totally worth it.

Looking down at our route coming up.

Looking down on Lake Katherine. 

And finally the top! Here's our family portrait at the peak. 

Happy Trails, Happy Tails!

-Roxie