Heading back to Texas for a month

I am heading back to Texas for a month tomorrow. I have to work so there will be no hiking stories until mid August.

La Luz

Today I hiked some of La Luz. It is a 16 mile rigorous trail. Lots of boulders and rocks that can trip you up. I tripped on one and slid about 8' down into trees. I then lost the trail and had to traverse to where I thought the trail would be. I finally picked it up again but by that time, I was pooped. Coming down was fun and I was able to jog down most of it.

No animal sightings today but I did hear coyotes howling. It was sooooo cool!!

Hiked 6 miles
13,208 steps
Elevation: 10,200

10K Trailhead at Sandia Peak

Today I hiked the 10K Trailhead at Sandia Peak. At first, I liked it. It was deep forest and I thought that was cool. Then, the trail opened into a field and the trail was not clear. I got lost and ended up guessing where to go. I ended up quite a ways down the mountain and had to come back up on the winding road. Instead of it being a 6 mile hike, it ended up being an 8 mile hike.

I saw 6 chipmunks, 4 deer (2 with velvet), and 2 squirrels. No people on the trail which was nice.

Elevation: 10,600

Piedra Lisa Canyon South

Today I hiked Piedra Lisa Canyon South. It was much more strenuous than the north trail. I was out of breathe the entire time uphill. I could only hike for an hour but it was still fun.

Ellis Trailhead / Cibolo National Forest

I went back to Cibolo National Forest again today. I hiked Crest Trail, Kiwanis Meadows, and the Switchback. It was so peaceful and pretty. Birds were singing and it was really thick forest for the most part. There were areas that opened up so you could see spectacular views. It was only 50 degrees and it felt fantastic/

Elevation: 10,400
5.7 miles

Cibolo National Forest

Such a great day. Did the same hike as yesterday early this morning. Saw 6 cottontail bunnies and 2 chipmunks.

Went to Cibolo National Forest to the top of the mountain (elevation 10,800). I was above the clouds.

Went down the mountain a bit to another area and then on to Ellis Trailhead. It had a trail that led to this  old cabin built by the Kawainnas club. The path there was fantastic. Aspen trees everywhere (my favorite tree). I was hiking in a forest. I will definitely be king there again and again.

Piedra Lisa Canyon and Foothills Trail # 365

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!!

Piedra Lisa Canyon is a 5.8 mile out and back trail. 
Elevation: 7,200

Foothills Trail # 365 is a 4 mile trail.
Elevation: 6,467

I started off going up some pretty steep terrain. Very pretty. The signs said to look for rattlesnakes but I didn't see any. I did see a Jack Rabbit.

For avid hikers, I would say the combination of trails is a moderate climb. For me just starting out, it was at times strenuous. I broke a sweat and my legs were burning by the end.

Great trail.