Santa Fe Open Space Tri-Hikes Hike
In Santa Fe Region

Map File Source:

Hike Key: H10706
Last Updated: 12/15/2020 12:00am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Warrant
Hike Class: B (Moderate)
Hike Distance: 4.9 mi
Minimum Elevation: 260 ft
Elevation Change: 100 ft
Total Uphill: 0 ft
Total Downhill: 0 ft
Avg. Grade: %
Route Type: Loop
On Trail: Yes
Paved or Gravel Roads: No
GPS Advised: No
Drive Distance Round Trip: 130 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 1:15
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
New Mexico Game Unit:
Hike Status: In Process

Highlights

The trip includes three short hikes in Santa Fe: Arroyo Hondo Open Space, the Nature Conservancy Santa Fe Canyon Preserve Trail, and the Randall Davey Audubon El Temporal Loop

Cautions

Your feet may get wet in the riparian Nature Conservancy loop.

Trailhead Directions

Follow I-25 north to NM 466 south in Santa Fe County. Take exit 284 from I 25. follow NM 466 to Old Agua Fria Rd E to Arroyo Hondo Open Space.
Instructions from Arroyo Hondo to Upper Canyon Road forthcoming.

Actual Hike

Our first hike will be a three mile loop through the Arroyo Hondo Open Space on Old Agua Fria Road East. We will hike the three mile loop which provides access to panoramic views of the Galisteo Basin, Cerrillos Hills, Ortiz Mountains and the Arroyo Hondo. The Arroyo Hondo Pueblo site and the historic dam can be seen from vista points.
We will then proceed to The Nature Convervancy’s Santa Fe Canyon Preserve Trail. This 1.3 mile loop goes around wetland in the Santa Fe Watershed.We will start at the Dale Ball Trail Head on Upper Canyon Road.
Once we complete the loop we will continue up the road to the Randall Davey Audubon Center. The final leg will be the .6 loop around the upper portion of the center. El Temporal is a short loop trail through pinon/juniper habitat. After a short initial climb up the acequia, it is relatively level throughout. El Temporal means “dry farm: tilled land in an arid region without benefit of irrigation and entirely dependent upon season rains. Despite its name, the trail can be icy in the winter and muddy in the spring, so wear proper footwear.
We will have lunch at the Audubon Center picnic tables and use the bathroom facilities. Then back to Albuquerque.

Comments

Maps are available at visitor centers. Santa Fe Foothill Trails shows both the Arroyo Hondo trail and the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve Trail. It is also available to download.

Text Author: Cathy Intemann
Map Author:
Waypoints Author:
Track Author:
Maintainer: Cathy Intemann
Editor: Marilyn Warrant