I haven't done this hike for years and I'm really glad I found some people willing to do it - one of the WI hikers and her long-time friend. The WI hiker was scouting it to put on her Tuesday group's schedule. They were both good company and good hikers. We had a lot of fun talking and laughing. We all feel lucky to live in northern NM.
On the way out to the turnoff for Ancho Rapids, we were treated to the sight of a tarantula scurrying along the Powerline Road. I rarely see tarantulas so that was exciting!
It's a tough hike - 1000' elevation gain and loss to the Rio Grande and back. It's steep and therefore not a hike you'd want to do in summer unless you're training for Death Valley! I've gone with the LL group in springtime and it's really pretty then. There is a spring that runs year-around and its banks are edged by watercress. This time of year is lovely too because of the autumn colors - red gambel oak and bright yellow cottonwood. I saw small animal tracks in some mud along the creek.
Ancho Rapids was a refreshing sight and I enjoyed closing my eyes to listen to the rapids. The banks of the Rio are lined by basalt boulders blackened by desert varnish and worn very smooth over the aeons. We enjoyed lunch on the riverbank, listening to the rush of the rapids and warmed by the boulders we sat on.