WI group will hike up Guaje Mountain tomorrow. I'm going with LL group instead but wanted to do the hike so I did it by myself.
Who would have known that the trail up Guaje Mountain continues eastward down the back of the mountain? It appears that motor bikes use it but it was fine for hiking. There was only one, very short downhill that made me wish I had hiking poles.
I HAD to find out where the trail went so I kept following its winding route. It eventually became a dirt road which led me to what's called the Poor Man's Shooting Range, off Rendija Canyon Road. Not wanting to walk Rendija Canyon Road back to the Pajarito Trail trailhead, I continued following the dirt road, now the Rendija Trail, as it meandered westward among the tall ponderosa pines, frequently crossing the dry bed of Rendija Creek. Most of my hike had hitherto passed through areas severely burned by the Cerro Grande fire and an area of piñon-juniper so I really appreciated the shade of the ponderosas. The area was very dry and I spotted no pasque flowers but did see deer bounding away several times. All in all, a very satisfying hike. A beautiful day!
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