Silvery Minnow Habitat Hike
In Albuquerque Region
Map File Source: NG Topo
Hike Key: H10188Last Updated: 12/15/2020 12:00am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Warrant
Hike Class: B (Moderate)
Hike Distance: 7.3 mi
Minimum Elevation: 4938 ft
Elevation Change: 16 ft
Total Uphill: 16 ft
Total Downhill: 16 ft
Avg. Grade: %
Route Type: Loop
On Trail: Yes
Paved or Gravel Roads: Yes
GPS Advised: No
Drive Distance Round Trip: 10 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 0:15
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Fall, and Winter
New Mexico Game Unit: 9
Hike Status: Published
Highlights
A pleasant bosque hike near the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
CautionsThere is one steep descent into an arroyo.
Trailhead Directions
I-25 south to Cesar Chavez exit, turn right on Bridge to the National Hispanic Cultural Center on 4th St SW, and PARK (0.0 mi) in Northwest corner of the parking lot near the Bridge Blvd. bridge.
Actual Hike
This is a level hike along the Riverside Drain on the east and west sides of the Rio Grande from Bridge Blvd. to Rio Bravo and back. The start and finish are at the National Hispanic Cultural Center parking lot. From the parking lot proceed west along Bridge Blvd. passing over the east drain and bike path and go down into the woods. Pick up the south path. Cross DITCH1 (0.5 mi), and continue until you come to DITCH2 (0.7 mi). It now has a nice, new wooden bridge over it. Continuing on you will pass through an area that was a dump for burned trash. Lots of glass in this area. Look to your left and you will see a BOTTLE TREE (1.0 mi). Further on is the water PUMP STATION (1.3 mi) for the Silvery Minnow Habitat and later on the right a SURVEY MARKER (1.3 mi). Go past the FISHERY (1.5 mi) control gate for the Silvery Minnow Habitat. Go southwest along DITCH3 (1.5 mi) until you almost reach the river, cross it and pick up the path south. You will come to an area where PONDSWITHTREES (2.9 mi) have been created. Continue south until you reach the Rio Bravo bridge. Go east through the parking lot and road until you come to the underpass. Go under, climb the bank and go west across the bridge. Turn south and loop under the bridge. Go west up the bank to the access road on the west side drain. Go north on the road until TURN (5.1 mi), then turn right and go into the woods and pick up the path north. Very soon after the turn and going north you will see on the right a WATER SAMPLER (5.2 mi) station on the river bank. Continue north until you reach the Bridge Blvd. bridge. Go west, climb the bank and cross the bridge going east. Continue until you reach the parking lot at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Comments
On one of our previous hikes, we saw and learned about the new Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Habitat. Two representatives of the US Corps of Engineers met us at the habitat and briefed us on its importance and status. The habitat, located about one and a half miles south of Bridge Blvd. will pump and filter water from the riverside drain to the habitat and then filter and return the water to the river or to the riverside drain. It will provide reliable breeding environment and living conditions for the endangered Rio Grand Silvery minnow. Since this hike is level, the hike rating has been reduced to B. The hike can usually be completed by lunch time.
WaypointsPARK: N 35 04.171, W 106 39.402
DITCH1: N 35 03.867, W 106 39.438
DITCH2: N 35 03.658, W 106 39.438
BOTTLE TREE: N 35 03.412, W 106 39.455
PUMP STATION: N 35 03.234, W 106 39.440
SURVEY MARKER: N 35 03.185, W 106 39.465
DITCH3: N 35 03.040, W 106 39.581
FISHERY: N 35 03.049, W 106 39.535
PONDSWITHTREES: N 35 02.063, W 106 40.151
TURN: N 35 02.758, W 106 40.027
WATER SAMPLER: N 35 02.771, W 106 39.951
Hike GPS File Name: SilveryMinnowHabitatWayTrack_HCHC.gpx
Hike GPS File: Click link to download hike waytrack file
Text Author: John Holmes
Map Author: Marilyn Warrant
Waypoints Author: Howard Carr
Track Author: Howard Carr
Maintainer: Howard Carr
Editor: Marilyn Warrant
