R I O   G R A N D E   D E L   R A N C H O

Taos, New Mexico

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Time to saddle up for the ride. It's sunny but chilly, so I've bundled up for my excursion.

Here's the trailhead. It's right on the shoulder of the road, how convenient. The trail allows bikers, hikers, and horseback riders.

From the get-go I'm immediately spanked by this short, steep trail that promises to take me from the shoulder of the road up to the main part of the trail. Like a idiot, I try to bike up it. Given the elevation (more than 7,000 feet) and my poor conditioning, after multiple failed attempts I finally reach the main trail exhausted. On top of that, I'm now overheating because I've overdressed. I feel like I've done enough for the day, but I press on down the trail anyway, all hot and sweaty.

Thank God, the trail begins to flatten out. It looks benign enough, I guess they weren't kidding about it being a novice trail.