Hike was 9 miles. A real happening was occurring at parking lot in the morning. All these cars pulled up and hikers got out. They were from NASA and mapping in the area along with geologist, Kirt Kempter. They were there yesterday too in the thunderstorm.
Started at 8:20 am from Pajarito Trail 286 trailhead, climbed to Guaje Mountain saddle and then down into Guaje Canyon. Going downstream through Guaje Narrows was easy - some stream crossings but very doable. Cliffs of the Narrows are quite striking towering overhead. Where Guaje Canyon intersects FR416, saw 5 or 6 butterflies close together, could have been mating monarchs. Also saw very large penstemons that in two colors - magenta and lavender.
We continued on Guaje Canyon Road, FR442, to its intersection with Rendija Canyon Road, FR57, which we took west, past the Los Alamos Sportsmen's Club and back to Pajarito Trail trailhead. Got back to trailhead around 1:30 pm. Mappers were gone.
Saw lots of hoodoos in Rendija Canyon and a memorial cross for Terry Putt who was killed down there a few years back in a rollover accident involving teenagers and maybe alcohol. Rained a few drops on the way back which was good because it got pretty hot on the uphill on Rendija Canyon Road.
Indeterminate what next week's hike will be. WI's will do Obsidian Ridge next Wednesday and Valle Canyon the Wednesday after. Could do a long hike as part of the WI hike.
Other hikes to do in today's area are to follow Guaje Canyon Road all the way to NM502 at Totavi and have someone pick us up or do part of hike we did today but at FR416, go up to mesa top north of Guaje Canyon and follow numerous forest roads back to the Pajarito Trail. This would involve a lot of uphill, including hauling ourselves out of Guaje Canyon to the Guaje Mountain saddle. I'd only want to do that one if it's cool next week. However, the downhill one to Totavi could be done even if it's hot.