- Estimated Cost: $800
- Deposit: $100
- Max Trip Size: 4 people
This is a short car camping trip, exploring some of the varied terrain around Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Proposed itinerary:
September 26: Arrive at Albuquerque airport, car rental, camping in The Cochiti Recreation Area.
September 27: Visiting Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
https://www.blm.gov/visit/kktr
Camping in either the Dome Wilderness area or Bandier National Monument depending on time and roads. Local hike.
https://www.nps.gov/band
https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=161
September 28-30: Three nights camping in one of the Santa Fe National Forest Campgrounds, close to Valles Caldera National Preserve. We may not stay at the same site for all three nights, but at least two nights at one of the sites.
https://www.nps.gov/vall/learn/nature/geology.htm
This is a fairly new preserve to the National Park System, with very little infrastructure in place. Mixed open in forest with mountains, creeks and trails to explore, an ancient volcanic caldera.
We may not stay at the same site for all three nights. We can enter the preserve with vehicle permits, exploring some of the far corners and different hiking trails, returning to our campground.
October 1: Drive back to the airport in the morning.
Moderate hikes, 10 to 15 miles per day.
You will need changes of clothes, hiking shoes or boots, hiking pole(s), tent and sleeping bag, hiking sack, water bottles, and food.
September can still be quite warm so sun prediction is needed.
Stopping at Hey City Store to get camping fuel and any last-minute supplies.