August’s Free Offerings in Your National Monument

It’s back to school month here in Taos County. We hope that you will be able to take some time to enjoy the great weather and the beauty of Your Public Lands. Plan attending some of the guided hikes and evening events at the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

Many thanks,
Tim Long, park ranger
BLM Wild Rivers

Posted August 2, 2019

Saturday, August 3rd, 9:00am 2 hours
Slide Trail/Old 570 Guided Hike

Meet at the new Cascabel trailhead at the end of C-110 for this moderate 3-mile round trip hike. Wonderful views of the Rio Pueblo Canyon, petroglyphs, wildlife sighting opportunities and geology in action! Led by park ranger Tom Adams.

Saturday, August 10th, 7:00pm 1 hour
Second Saturday Cuentos y Historias de Questa, A Glimpse Into the Past
Wild Rivers Visitor Center, Cerro, NM
“Piñon Gathering, A Northern New Mexico Tradition” with Kate Cisneros and Jeannie Masters
Born and raised in Cerro, NM, Kate and Jeannie have been friends for as long as they can remember. Self-proclaimed ‘entrometidas’ or busy-bodies, they keep busy with family, the Northern NM Food Pantry that they founded and, if the conditions are right, gathering the edible piñon nuts in the fall. This dynamic duo will offer their own entertaining version of a long-lived tradition.

Sunday, August 11th, 9:00am 2 hours
Picuris/Slide Trail Cut-Off Loop Guided Hike
Meet at the trailhead at Taos Junction Bridge on NM 570 for this moderate 2-mile round trip hike in the lower gorge. Beautiful views, dynamic history and extraordinary geology highlight one of our newest trails. Led by park ranger Jenn Sawyer.

Saturday, August 17th, 9:00am 2 hours
Taos Valley Overlook Guided Bike Ride
Meet at the Overlook Trailhead on NM 68 for a family-friendly ride with panoramic views. Learn more about the area, and find out why these trails are a local favorite! Led by park ranger Bryan Marquardt. Bikes and equipment not provided.

Saturday, August 17th, 10:00am 2 hour
Finding Wild Herbs and Medicinal Plants in the National Monument with Cathy Hope
Wild Rivers, Cerro, NM
Herbologist, Cathy Hope, will lead a guided walk on the rim at the Chiflo trailhead. Having spent much of her life researching native medicinal plants and herbs, Cathy will help find and identify some of these plants common to this area. We will meet in the Chiflo parking lot. Bring water, sunscreen, sunhat, good walking shoes and lunch.

Sunday, August 25th, 9:00am 2 hours
Petaca Point Trail Guided Hike
Meet at the trailhead on NM 567, above Taos Junction Bridge, for this easy 2.5 mile round trip hike along the west rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. Panoramic views and wonderful archeology! Led by park ranger Randy Roch.

Saturday, August 31st, 9:00am 2 hours
La Vista Verde Guided Hike
Meet at the trailhead on NM567, just above Taos Junction Bridge for this easy 2.5 mile round hike. Sensational views and petroglyphs on our most popular trail! 2 hours, led by park ranger Tom Adams.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, aka the High Bridge, by Jim O’Donnell

 For Guided Hikes: Bring a snack, hat, sunscreen, 2 liters of water and sturdy hiking shoes

For More Information
Wild Rivers Visitor Center 575-586-1150
Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center 575-751-4899
Taos Field Office 575-758-8851


Download a Visitors Guide to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, published in 2015 by MARKETAOS, in collaboration with Taos BLM and researched and written by Jim O’Donnell. It includes a helpful map of the entire monument area, over 300,000 acres. Or purchase a copy for $2 at Taos Visitor Center or Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center in Pilar.

This map of the National Monument shows 10 regions of interest for visitors. map by Burrell Brenneman, Webb Design Inc.

 

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