Looks like forever’s rolling away from us.
Long exposure of beige hills, crest to mountains, frame. Look right, deep into Juan Tabo Canyon’s gullet, frame.
One human, a trail runner cresting a saddle below.
We can’t see them from the southwest corner of Jaral Canyon, but humans and their structures surround us. Sandia Casino. Subdivisions. The crowded trailhead for this hike, where Tramway meets the forest road.
We bypassed that busy spot. Drove north on the forest road to the quiet Juan Tabo trailhead. Hiked into Jaral Canyon from there. Met only one other person, the trail runner.
The route: doable, but steep and rugged up-and-down, starting with a 45-degree leg-burner.
We did not want to hike down that. And with all the trails that crisscross these canyons, some not on any map, there had to be an easier way back.
Right?
Riiiiiiiiiiiighht.
False starts. Turnarounds.
We get most of the way back on a rough path, but it dumps us into a brush-choked arroyo.
We backtrack to the forest road. My husband huffs up the road half a mile to the car.
I look up at the Shield, Prow and Needle rock formations. Snow clutches north-facing slopes. Jays rustle in the pinons.
We reached our goal: finding a socially distanced route into Jaral Canyon.
And after all the detours, I think I’ve actually satiated my appetite for this canyon for a while.
Hike length: 5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trail traffic: light
Wildlife spotted/heard: blue jays, doves, crows, spotted towhees, nuthatch
Woman Seeks Elevation 