If you've already visited us in Taos this year, we hope you found your way back home safe and sound. New Mexico certainly made news headlines for a few weeks while the horrific fires burned far to our south. Although the fires were far, far away, the Forest Service closed them as far north as Taos as a safety precaution. Our relatively wet Spring had given us some moisture compared to those places around Los Alamos and Santa Fe that are still closed because of both fire damage and continuing fire danger.
But for those of you who are yet to come to Taos, we wanted to let you know that much still awaits anyone wanting to come.
The dry weather pattern that seemed to have persisted across the State of New Mexico for so many months has finally broken and the seasonal "monsoons" have arrived. Daily showers can be seen building above town in the mountains and they might occasionally drift this way or that, so we're never really sure whether we'll get rain in town. You can be assured, however, that if you're above 10,000 feet anywhere in the Southern Rockies these days, you're most likely going to get very wet and cold.
The National Forests in and around the immediate vicinity of Taos have been reopened, meaning that all the best hiking and biking trails are ready for you to visit. Additionally, all of the Taos Ski Valley venues are wide open as well, including the most popular Williams Lake Trail. Some of our guests reported a light dosing of "gropel" the other day -- very light snow that resembles styro-foam. They enjoyed the experience.
If you're coming to hike during monsoon season, leave right after breakfast, pack lots of water, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, food and (did I mention?) water. More water, in fact, than you think you'll need. Altitude can quickly dehydrate anyone.
Schedule your return to your car for no later than 3:30 PM each day. That's about the time that locally heavy rain or snow might visit the higher trails. The more intense any particular thunderstorm may become, the colder the temperatures it will deliver to any section of the higher mountain terrain. So, don't risk ruining a great day -- come on back down to Taos where it might be sunny and warm or we might be having a brief shower.
La Posada has also had a Day Hikes for Guests of La Posada de Taos book printed that features some of the finest choices for hiking if you're just here for a couple or three days. If you have time, review it once you've arrived. It's terrific.
August is a joyous time in Taos when the monsoons can keep things cool for everyone while so much of the country bakes in 100+ degree temperatures. That kind of heat is virtually unheard of in Taos, so plan on coming to the mountains for a cool time.
Hiking, horseback riding, and llama trekking await you!
But for those of you who are yet to come to Taos, we wanted to let you know that much still awaits anyone wanting to come.
The dry weather pattern that seemed to have persisted across the State of New Mexico for so many months has finally broken and the seasonal "monsoons" have arrived. Daily showers can be seen building above town in the mountains and they might occasionally drift this way or that, so we're never really sure whether we'll get rain in town. You can be assured, however, that if you're above 10,000 feet anywhere in the Southern Rockies these days, you're most likely going to get very wet and cold.
The National Forests in and around the immediate vicinity of Taos have been reopened, meaning that all the best hiking and biking trails are ready for you to visit. Additionally, all of the Taos Ski Valley venues are wide open as well, including the most popular Williams Lake Trail. Some of our guests reported a light dosing of "gropel" the other day -- very light snow that resembles styro-foam. They enjoyed the experience.
If you're coming to hike during monsoon season, leave right after breakfast, pack lots of water, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, food and (did I mention?) water. More water, in fact, than you think you'll need. Altitude can quickly dehydrate anyone.
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| A View of Taos Mountain from La Posada de Taos |
La Posada has also had a Day Hikes for Guests of La Posada de Taos book printed that features some of the finest choices for hiking if you're just here for a couple or three days. If you have time, review it once you've arrived. It's terrific.
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| Northern New Mexico Sky Early Afternoon July 21, 2011 |
Hiking, horseback riding, and llama trekking await you!
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