On Saturday, January 10th we took a walk in the Rio Grande Nature Center meeting there at 10:30 AM.
After the hike we met at the Flying Star on Rio Grande Blvd for lunch and a planned the hikes for 2015.
The hikers: Scott Lake, Dawn Leach, Lucy Silva, Odile and Jim de la Beaujardiere, Maggie and Bud Garner, Tom Dorr, Neal and Audrey MacDonald, Audrey’s visiting sister Collette, and Pam Bliss.
Once we arrived at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Neal, Audrey, and Collette—having a nonhiker within their threesome–split off from the main group to do the 1.1-mile Nature Loop. They then took off for Belen, where they stopped for lunch at Pete’s Café and went across the street to the Harvey House RR Station and Museum for a show and tour.
The rest of the hikers enjoyed the 3.8-mile … Read the rest
It was a beautiful sunny day but on the cool side when we left the church. This was the first day of Balloon Fiesta and there were a lot of balloons drifting south from the Fiesta Park. Scott Lake, Eliza Schmid, Pam Bliss, Lucy Silva and Dawn Leach made the trip to the canyon. We left for the canyon about 8:30 AM.
When we arrived at the Forth of July Camp Ground area (about 9:45) there were a few others hiking but the parking lot was almost empty. On our return the parking lot was full and overflowing.
There was … Read the rest
Heather Gram selected a lovely trail, somewhat strenuous with oak thickets, lots of boulders and stunning views to the top of the Sandias and of the valley, down town Albuquerque, and La Dome. Seven of the 9 of us 
hiked on the Tramway Trail, about 5 1/2 miles round trip from the Tram parking lot to La Luz Trailhead and back. Kathleen and Bob stopped en route and took in the views from atop a boulder. The day started off a cool 55 degrees and cloudy. The profuse dark maroon prickly pears were ready to be picked. And we did … Read the rest
Invigorat
ing 5+ mile hike, Pam, Bob and Neal on the Trail! The brief thunder and rain at the springs brought in some cooler air. Lots of soakers in the three warm pools.
First picture is of the Jemez Falls at the start of the hike. The tall reddish non-chlorophyllous herb is Pinedrops. And see the Nodding Onion pinkish flower about to bloom. Plus Spreading Fleabane and Asters. Could the yellow flowers be Lemmon’s Butterweed? – so many yellow flowers – hard to ID.
Great drive on Route 4 through the Jemez!
Kathleen Rhoad
We had a wonderful hike on Sat July 19th in the Sandias..there were 8 of us all together. We took the Cienega, Faulty and Sulphur Springs Trails…just about a 3 mile loop and of a moderate level of difficulty . Several locations provided excellent views and with our 
combined knowledge we learned of various plants, animals, and geology of the area.
We ended just about 12:00 noon ..right on time….and did enjoy the sight and sound of a small stream we passed near the end of the hike. Great conversations, great views, all made for another successful UU hike.
Manuel … Read the rest
On May 3, 2014 eight hikers enjoyed the Las Conchas Trail along the East Fork of the Jemez River: Scott Lake, Dawn Leach, Neal & Audrey MacDonald, Effie Murphy and Kathleen Rhoad with 2 guests, Karen and Patti from Erie, Penna. The day was warm and sunny with some patches of snow still on the ground and ice on the shady edges of the river. We saw white Spectacle Pod in bloom and many Mourning Cloak butterflies.
The black dirt along the river’s edges from the 2013 Las Conchas fire run-off was barely visible – Mother Nature healing herself.
We … Read the rest
Hello First U Hikers and Friends,
Today 4 of us with Rick Held leading hiked at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (designated Jan 17, 2001) from 9 am to 12:30. Good we got to see the early morning light on the formations and initially had lighter foot traffic on the trail . As the morning progressed, many others were walking on Canyon Trail. We saw Manzanita shrub w/ small white blooms, white Spectacle Pod, Golden Pea, yellow Western Wallflower, yellow Perky Sue, yellow Showy Goldeneye and red Indian Paintbrush.
Kasha-Katuwe means white cliffs in traditional Keresan language of the Cochiti … Read the rest
A great day at Sandstone Bluffs with initially cool, windy weather on the bluffs that warmed up quickly – about 70 degrees at lunch at the petroglyph panel near the arch. The fluctuating light was wonderful for viewing and photography.
The group of six First U’s included Pam Bliss, leader who did a great job walking us out from the arch to the cars in 50 min, Judith Parsons & Bruce Newton with their dog Ellie, Manual Lopez, Dawn Leach and Kathleen Rhoad. We saw birds but mainly in quick flight. One was probably a falcon….! And we saw a … Read the rest
The hikers were Pam Bliss, leader, Scott lake, Dawn Leach, Maggie Garner, Bob Haladay, Judith Parsons & Bruce Newton & dog, Ellie, Rebecca Helianthus & dog, Pekoe and Kathleen Rhoad. The day was warm and great for a hike. There were many great petroglyphs and number of unusual ones. One of a fish and a number of Kokopelli. We are only able to show a very few. In several areas there are “walls” of many petroglyhs of similar or diverse shapes.
Hike 1: La Cienega Canyon Hike to Petroglyphs Information:
Drive about 0.6 mile past the Cieneguilla Petroglyphs parking lot … Read the rest