Epic 12 Mile Slog up Aspen Vista Trail

Wah...Another beautiful weekend here in Santa Fe so of course I was up I the mountains. I did not get much trekking done on Saturday due to a stomach cramp so I hung out to take pics of the sunset then drove home. Coming down the mountain I almost hit a bunch of deer all over the road. It was quite dark by then and I had my highbeams on...thank goodness.

Yesterday's trek, (Sunday) was a killer one up Aspen Vista Trail to Tesuque Peak which is the backside of the ski valley. BTW it is also the highest elevation sumit trail in this area. Though it is only 12 miles round trip with top elevation at 12,045 feet, this has to be the toughest Snow Trek to date! This trail if definitely Skiers and Snow Shoes only! There were areas when I was sunk in snow up past my knee up to my thigh and it was hard getting out with 40 lbs on my back. Having the trekking poles were a lifesaver! Every other step was torture but I didn't give up. I really have to get a set of snowshoes...I cannot do another trek this way. I was agai the last one down the mountain and barely made it to the parking lot by 7:39 PM..even the sun had beat me setting it's last rays while I was still slogging in kneedeep slush of four feet of melting snow. 

OK nuff whining here are the pics from yesterday's snow adventures.

 
 
 

 

Yesterday I was back up the Santa Fe Basin fully loaded for another breathtaking trek. I wasn't kidding when I said breathtaking...huffing and puffing up the first two miles of the trail. It was narrow in some spots to eight inches wide and a sheer drop off the side. I was seriously wishing I had snow shoes on as veering off the trail by 2 inches sinks you into the snow a foot and a half...in my case up to my knee. It gets old after a while and I was feeling every step like The StairMaster from hell. I got all the way up to the base of Baldie and realized that I was the ONLY one on the mountain at this point. The sun was casting this incredible golden light over everything and I can kick myself for running out of battery on my camera. Still I got some good photos and am coming back next week for more. 

This trail was more difficult than Wheeler Peak in my opinion. Maybe it's because I'm fully loaded and the trail is narrower. Anyhow, going back down was tricky as the snow freezes late in the afternoon and all the ski tracks are now super slick. I slipped a few times and was happy there were plenty of trees to grab and break the fall otherwise I would be at the bottom of the mountain. Anyhow, the sunset on the mountain was magnificent but I was so beat at this point all I could think of was a nice cup of hot Chai in my hands and some hot food in my stomach. I drove straight to India House and rewarded my tired body with 3 cups of chai, Chicken Makhani, Peas Pallao and Garlic Naan…perfect ending to a perfect day..life is good :-D