Fall 2026 Outings

October 2026

Friday, October 2 — The Story of the Crash of TWA Flight 260, 70 Years Ago, 7:15-8:30 p.m. We’ll hear the story of the Crash of TWA Flight 260. Terry Owen, an outdoor adventurer and outings leader, will share the story of the crash that occurred on Feb. 19, 1955 in the Sandia Mountains and the memorial hike to the crash site. Enjoy a beverage and snacks as well as a great evening with like-minded friends
Leader: Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque (Sierra & Beer)
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Friday, October 9 — Zero Waste Tour of Solutions Compost, Soil and Mulch,. 10- 11:30 am. Come see how this soil business has changed in the last two years. Hopefully we will get to see how the Denali machine separates food from packaging.
Leader: Laurie Zunner, lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
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Saturday, October 10, Salinas Pueblo National Monument Tour, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. We will visit two of the three distinct sites, Quarai and Abo,  offering a glimpse into a unique time in history. These sites offer a quiet place to reflect on history, local archaeology and the Land of Enchantment. This outing affords abundant photo opportunities with time to walk about, maybe finding inspiration for a quick poem or a quick sketch. Wear comfortable attire and sturdy shoes. Bring clothing layers, hats, sunscreen,water and a picnic lunch. Total combined walking distance is one mile, at about 6,000- feet. elevation, 50 feet of elevation change. Please consider the health of others if you are experiencing any symptoms of being ill. No dogs, except service animals on leash. Youth 10 and older welcome with accompanying responsible adult. Those who wish to carpool are responsible for making their own arrangements and any reimbursement to the driver with whom they travel.
Leader: June Parsons
Level:  Easy and accessible
Location: Mountainair (carpool from Albuquerque)
Register for this event no later than October 3

Saturday-Sunday, October 17-18, Wilderness First Aid Course, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Rio Grande Chapter os sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid course. This course is in high demand and typically fills up months in advance. The SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course is a two-day training for anyone who spends time hiking, skiing, engaging in other outdoor pursuits or just wants to know what to do when things go wrong. The course is a blend of lecture, demonstrations and scenarios. Students will have ample opportunity to practice skills in life-like situations, both as patients and caregivers. At the successful completion of the course, you will be certified or re-certified in Wilderness First Aid. Attendees must participate in all portions and all hours of the course and demonstrate understanding to obtain certification. Why should you attend? People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? If you’re ever more than an hour away from a hospital or one mile from any road, you need to know what to do. Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one — and maybe even save a life. For more information on SOLO’s curriculum, visit www.soloschools.com . Cancellation policy: Activity is held rain or shine, but may be altered due to inclement weather. Signup restrictions: The minimum age to attend this course is 14 years old.
Coordinator: Debbie Bryant
Level: Easy
Location:  Tijeras
Cost: Tuition is $200
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Saturday, October 24 — Hike to the top of Cerro Grande, Santa Fe Meetup: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. This beautiful out-and-back hike leads through an open forest of ponderosa, aspen and conifers to the top of Cerro Grande (the highest point in Bandelier). You will hike on the rim of the Valles Caldera and enjoy sweeping views into Valle Grande and beyond. Weather permitting, we’ll have at least a half hour on the top to rest, refuel and enjoy those views. If we’re lucky, we will hear bugling eElks and see the herds down in the valley. Bring binoculars, if interested. The trailhead is a one hour drive from Santa Fe. Hiking time is 3 or more hours. The hike is moderate with some short, steep parts. The total elevation gain is 1,300 feet in about 2.2 miles (round trip 4.5 miles), with the summit at 10,199 feet. The high altitude throughout hike can make it feel more challenging. The time stated above is when carpoolers will leave Santa Fe. If you choose to meet at the trailhead, please arrive by 9:30 a.m. Water and rain gear required. Bring a snack for the top if you want one. Any changes or cancellations will be posted through the Santa Fe Meetup. Dogs are not permitted in Bandelier.
Leaders:  Lisa and Craig Hammond
Level: Moderate
Location: Bandelier Monument (carpool from Santa Fe)
Register on Santa Fe Meetup

Friday, October 30 — Acoma Sky City Pueblo Walking Tour, 10 a.m .- 4 p.m. Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Acoma Sky City Pueblo. It is a fantastic place to visit, wholly unique and you will experience years of history. Upon arrival we will begin with a walk through the visitor center, gift shop and museum. Then we will travel by Acoma Pueblo bus to the top of the inhabited mesa for a guided tour of the “city,” offering a glimpse into a millennia of unique human migration from Mesa Verde to Chaco to Acoma.  Along the walking tour local artisans and residents explain and sell their unique handmade goods and traditional baked items. This Acoma site dates back over 1,000 years, the oldest continuously human-inhabited site in New Mexico. History will be shared by our guide throughout the walk. Acoma offers a quiet place in the sky with views many miles in the distance in every direction and an opportunity to reflect on its history and local archeology. This outing provides abundant photo opportunities outside of the mission church and graveyard. The walk takes about two hours. We will then visit and enjoy our packed lunches that we brought (although you can chance the visitor center cafe being open). Walking stick is suggested, and bring layers, hats, sunscreen, water and lunch. Ground will be uneven but less than 1-mile walk.
Leader: June Parsons
Level:  Easy
Cost: There is a $25 contribution ($20 seniors) to the Pueblo purchased at the visitor center and museum.
Signup restrictions: No dogs except service animals. Kids 10 and older welcome if with a responsible adult. Register no later than Oct. 26.
Location: Acoma (carpool from Albuquerque)
Register for this event no later than October 26

November 2026

Sunday, November 1 – Fort Stanton Historic Site and BLM National Conservation Area. We’ll be leisurely touring the self guided Fort Stanton Historic Site grounds and hiking on BLM’s Fort Stanton North Trail (short carpool) to the Internment site of the SS Columbus crew at Fort Stanton during World War II. We’ll talk about the history of the area and the recent 2025 Camp Fire. Bring good hiking footwear and dress for the weather. No dogs please and appropriate for participants 18 years and older. Registration is limited to 10 people. RSVP no later than October 29th, 2026. The hike(s) will be no more than 3 miles with minimal elevation gain.
Leader: John Pijawka
Level: Easy
Location: Fort Stanton, east of Carrizozo, leader can connect participants for carpooling
Cost: first Sunday of every month – free admission for NM residents with ID – $7 for non-residents of New Mexico
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Saturday, November 7 — Valley of Fires & Malpais, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Come join us for a leisurely morning hike enjoying the cool fall weather at the BLM Valley of Fires Recreation Area west of Carrizozo. We’ll be exploring one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States. It was observed by the Indigenous people who inhabited the Tularosa Basin over 5,000 years ago. We will hike tThe Kipuka and Nature Trails as well as a quick scamper up to the overlook. There is minimal elevation gain and a little less than 3 miles of hiking. Please dress for cool weather with good supportive footwear. We’ll discuss the history and geology of the lava flow. The wildlife is notably melanistic, contrasting sharply with their pale-colored kin in the White Sand dunes to the south. Please note there is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle, or any federal interagency pass is also valid. No dogs and hike is appropriate for participants 18 years and older.
Leader: John Pijawka
Level:  Easy
Location:  Valley of Fires Recreation Area west of Carrizozo. Note: If carpooling from Albuquerque/Santa Fe is desired, the leader can assist in connecting participants.
Register for this event no later than November 5, limited to 10 people

Tuesday, November 17, Zero Waste Tour of the Surface Water Treatment Plant, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn how water from the Rio Grande is taken in and treated to become your drinking water. In an introduction, you will see the journey from the San Juan and Chama rivers to the Rio Grande and the treatment plant on a large floor model in the lobby. Then we will do a lot of walking, going in and out of buildings and climbing stairs, seeing different parts of the plant.
Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
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December 2026

Thursday, December 10, Zero Waste Tour of BARCO Recycling Facility, 9-10:30 a.m. Come see how all of our blue-bin recycling is sorted. Find out how much is actually recycled and get answers to moreother recycling questions. Must be able to climb stairs and not be bothered by a very noisy environment.
Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event, limit 10 people

Featured image – Pecos hike by Diane Owens