The Upper Red Dot Trail

[bwray]

The Red Dot Trail is several miles downriver from the Blue Dot Trail that was described in a previous post. It descends 800 ft from the Pajarito Plateau to the Rio Grande. The first landmark you see when approaching the trailhead is the Shanklin residence.

Tom Shanklin built his home on the canyon rim just as the solar energy program was getting cranked up at Los Alamos and the Solar Energy Group installed monitoring equipment there. He is very close to 100% solar for his energy use. What heat he does not derive from the sun comes from his wood stove. You frequently see him out back splitting logs as you approach the trail. I covet this house.

The view is magnificent at the canyon edge. We had a light snowfall the day before and the air was crisp and clear.

That's Santa Fe Baldy to the left and the Santa Fe Ski Basin to the right.

As you enter the trail you encounter the first of many red dots you will see along the way. Too many really.

On one easily discernable stretch of trail there were red dots spaced about 20 feet apart. Must have had a lot of people lost down there at one time.

Here are some shots of the Rio Grande on the way down.

The trail is clearly visible in the third shot of the river.

About a third of the way down the trail levels out on a plateau that continues for a few hundred feet.

Finally, you enter the P-J (Pinon-Juniper) forest.

The brush grows thicker as you approach Pajarito Stream.

This section looks like a jungle in the summer, with vegetation closing over your head and blocking out all direct sun.

Finally, we arrive at Pajarito Stream.

This is a favorite recreation area for the kids in town. There's another crossing a little lower with a couple of pools for skinny dipping in hot weather.

Well, thats ten shots (the limit) and the batteries in my digital just ran out of juice anyway. We'll do the lower red dot in a later post. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Cheers,

 

[Yvsa]

Beautiful country Bill. I love N.M. and Arizona and their varied country ranging from desert to forest. Actually the whole area of the four corner states.
I'm slightly envious because I doubt very much that my Rollator could navigate that trail or me with it for very far either.:grumpy:
I have to stop and rest about every block but that's better than the couple hundred feet I used to have to stop.:thumbup:

 

[Kismet]

Great images, Bill.

My knees ache just looking at them.

There are so many wonders. Thank you.

 

[bwray]

Thanks guys. At 61 I don't know how many years I have left of this kind of activity. Probably more if I can just lose some weight and take some of the strain off my knees. But I figure everyone can go along in their minds eye, including myself when I can no longer make it on foot. My wife no longer accompanies me due to rheumatoid arthritis, which emerged at 20 years of age. But she does oil paintings from my photos.

Right now I'm looking for another dog to join me as a hiking companion. I miss my APBT that I posted about in the pet thread.

Cheers,

 

[Fiddleback]

Those are wonderful Bill. Thanks for sharing.

My wife is making me hold out for a while between dogs. I miss Lady too. I'm ready I think for a new friend though. My wife isn't a dog person actually and is resisting the new responsibility. I've told her I'll only listen for a limited amount of time before pulling the trigger without her dang consent. She said after vacation this summer maybe. Whats keeping you from getting a new pal?

 

[bwray]

Whats keeping you from getting a new pal?

For many years my wife and I had three dogs. When we went on vacation it would cost more to board the dogs than to board ourselves, and that was pretty limiting. So we decided to limit ourselves to one dog each (she had two bassetts) that were compatable enough to share kennel space. My pit bull was fine with people, but after he was attacked by other dogs on two occasions the genetic dog aggression of the breed was brought forward despite his training. I lost Doodle a couple of years ago but Karen still had two bassetts so I had to wait to replace him. Karen lost one of her bassetts a couple of weeks ago so now I'm researching other breeds for a replacement. Want a robust dog that is not particularly dog aggressive. Right now I'm leaning towards a Rhodesian Ridgeback - big, powerful dog but bred for hunting, not fighting. I will get a male to avoid dominance problems with Karen's female.

Hope you too are able to replace your buddy soon.

Cheers,

 

[Astrodada]

Bwray, those are eye candies for one living in the concrete jungle.

 

[kronckew]

just to intrude my two cents, for those of you thinking about another dog, try not to buy one from a puppy farm, there are enough homeless dogs out there to fill the void in everyones hearts.

many are abandoned by thoughtless humans who think they were cute puppies, but not so cute grown up, or they no longer match their color co-ordinated designer homes. they can make wonderful (and frequently already house-trained & no longer teething) pets. some have been tearfully given up by old folkes who are too old. remember, every puppy bought means an adult dog with years of life in it will die in a shelter or be killed in the back of a van by PETA., some will have problems, so as always, watchyerass

if you are looking for a specific breed, there are plenty of breed specific rescue agencies on line that help rehome thousands of dogs annualy & they normally just charge a nominal fee.

this has been an unpaid political broadcast, we now return you to your normally scheduled program.

 

[Astrodada]

Yes I agree kronc.....if i am able to raise a doggie I think I'll adopt one from the SPCA. I've heard that those doggies made good companions as they have went through a lot of hardships.

SPCA an agency caring for stray unwanted doggies.

 

[bwray]

if you are looking for a specific breed, there are plenty of breed specific rescue agencies on line that help rehome thousands of dogs annualy & they normally just charge a nominal fee.

Ya know Kronchew, I just might do that. I've contacted several breeders (not puppy farms, quite the opposite) who want more information than I would have to give for a Q clearance. I maintained a security clearance for about 38 years and don't want to have to do that anymore. It offends me and I have trouble dealing with a breeder that wants three personal references. We'll see.

 

[Kismet]

Bill?

A few years ago, I house-sat for some friends in Chicago. They have had Rhodesians for years, and had just gotten a puppy.

They got a "ridgeless" pup--apparently a common occurence in a litter, and with the same breeding, just not of show quality, and thus less expensive.

Great breed. Large, but with a hound-like lankiness; intelligent; very social and willing to please; nice coat, not unlike your APB; very good with kids; and not over-bred by backyard breeders.

While they were gone, I started training the pup to be a search and rescue dog...walking up ladders, balancing on a teetering board, etc. We both had fun.

Really a nice breed.

Good hunting.

 

[Sutcliffe]

I've spent some time out at a ranch in Gila(silver city is about forty minutes away) and find myself unable to get enough of the red sandstone, Alligator Juniper and the Gila Wilderness. Beautiful country.

 

[brokenhallelujah]

Your pictures are killing me, Bill! I spent a lot of time in Colorado some years back doing a good bit of backcountry climbing... Miss it like hell. That whole part of the country -- four corners -- is the closest thing to paradise I have ever seen.

 

[bwray]

Really a nice breed.

Good hunting.

Thanks Kis. I'll show your post to my wife. She wants to make sure whatever dog I get will not be a threat to her basset. My APB was a threat and we had to keep them segregated. It got to be a real hassle.

 

[bwray]

I've spent some time out at a ranch in Gila(silver city is about forty minutes away) and find myself unable to get enough of the red sandstone, Alligator Juniper and the Gila Wilderness. Beautiful country.

I love the red rock myself. Incidently, Silver City appeared not long ago on a list of "best places to live" in the US.:thumbup:

 

[bwray]

Your pictures are killing me, Bill! I spent a lot of time in Colorado some years back doing a good bit of backcountry climbing... Miss it like hell. That whole part of the country -- four corners -- is the closest thing to paradise I have ever seen.

Sorry 'bout that brokenh. Where do you hang out these days? Anyway you can see yourself getting back to the SW eventually?

 

[brokenhallelujah]

Would certainly love to get back out that way... Discussions already in place with the Missy. We will just have to see.

I have been slumming it and riding out the storms down here in the Florida panhandle for the last eight years. Education and employment often, unfortunately, take precedence over recreational/residential preference.

If we have our druthers, though, we will be headed out that way probably around the first of next year, wherever we can both find work.

 

[bwray]

If we have our druthers, though, we will be headed out that way probably around the first of next year, wherever we can both find work.

Good. I totally lucked out getting the job at Los Alamos, so I realize how hard it is to factor in regional preferences with all the other priorities.:thumbup:

 

[Fiddleback]

Bill,

Couple of breeds for you to check out.

Boxer. My favorite breed bar none. Smart, good with other dogs, loyal as hell, strong and beautiful, and GREAT with kids. NO ANNOYING TAIL.

Giant Schnauser. Many of the same traits. I may look this way next.

Choclate Lab. Same traits plus but with annoying tail. Cool enough personality to overcome the annoying tail thing.

I, like you, am an admirer of the APBT. Great breed. Unfortunately their dog agressive nature, and the annoying tail rule them out for me.

In case you guys haven't noticed I don't like large dogs with tails. Perfect way to break things on tables, etc. Small dogs with tails are OK. I do like small dogs, but none in the hound family. Too much barking. Bill, I'm sure you know that due to the Bassets. (My favorite hound, by the way.)

 

[Sutcliffe]

Every time I see one(still very rare) I make it a point to strike up a conversation with the owner. From what I've gleaned from owners they are wonderful animals. Smart-to a fault, clean, not prone to barking(when they do, you better pay attention), and physically handsome/intimidating. I doubt your wife/girlfriend would ever have problems when out in public or in the wild with one at her side.
The number one gripe seems to be their uncanny ability to counter surf. If you leave any tasty smelling food out when they are in the room, don't turn your back on them!