Crest Trail, Ruidoso NM

[trailryder42]

I did the 30 mile stretch of the Manzano Crest Trail this summer south of Albuquerque,

I think the Grand Enchantment Trail includes a section of that trail.

Glad to see this report is still being viewed and enjoyed. I hope to get into the Gila myself soon, for a few sections of the G.E.T. thru there.

[bubbyman]

TrailRyder,

TaoZenQi pointed out the trail report to me when querying if I was planning on doing some of the GET. I am, but am fairly booked up with work til November. I sure would like to stay posted on plans for the Gila. I've wanted to hike it for some time.

And yes, the GET runs right along the Manzano Crest Trail. It's rugged in there, no doubt, with lots of ups and downs, lots of brushy bushwhacking, but I'm finally getting a hand on it after two summers of hiking there. Similar to your trip report photos. Big panoramic views to the east and west from the spine of the mountain. We're just 20 minutes away, which helps.

Let me know if you'd like to hike the beautiful Manzanos some time. I'd be happy to show you what I know.

bdw

[trailryder42]

TrailRyder,

Let me know if you'd like to hike the beautiful Manzanos some time. I'd be happy to show you what I know.

bdw

Well you've committed yourself now. I may be taking you up on it. Thanks.

[pixelgator]

Thanks for the terrific report and beautiful pictures. As a youth, I spent many summers in and around that area, especially Tres Ritos. I owe my life-long love of the outdoors to there.

[MikedKC]

Spectacular photos. What a beautiful trip.

Mikedkc

[Taozenqi]

With the arrival of the crisp Fall weather I made a 12 mile loop day hike and returned to a section of the Crest Trail that trailryder42 and I had covered in the summer;

IMG_0040 (800x600).jpgP1000322 (800x600).jpg
Started at the Argentina TH (8300ft.) about 8AM with temps of 28*F and a few patches of heavy frost along the creeks. (Grateful for the Patagonia Houdini.) Then a gentle climb up the Little Bonita Trail to a more serious uphill via Aspen Trail;
Fall.jpg
Turned west at the Crest Trail intersection and the views were spectacular;
Fall4.jpg
Several miles later after gaining and descending White Horse Mtn. (10,225 ft.) to Bonita Seep, I took the downhill intersection with Big Bonita trail;
Fall2.jpg
and after several hours of solitary hiking, I found a new friend and we finished the return 1.5 mile hike back down Little Bonita to the car;
Fall3.jpg
The weather remained sunny with a South / SW breeze and a high of 65*F at 1PM when I was finishing up.
We have all had those outings when nothing we saw, heard, felt a/o smelled felt separate from ourselves and so it was with this hike. May we all feel it again soon...TZQ

[trailryder42]

Sounds like a good day. Brisk temps to go with your brisk pace. lol

[trailryder42]

Spent some time during these last few rainy days to turn the report videos and pics into a slide show of sorts. Youtube kinda chopped the frame a little, not apparent except at the beginning and end tho.

Youtube has a neat feature that allows you to decrease the jerkiness of camera movement that I thought turned out well, compared to the originals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBApAN6TtoA

[waddy]

Fantastic job on the video/slideshow TR42. Beautiful country, filmed well. However, your companion is a little strange. Is he an Arab? Did he forget his camel?

[Taozenqi]

Good job TR42. Nice summary of two fun SOBO days in the mtns. How about some background music on the upcoming northbound trip?
waddy , we used elk not camels!