jhberkley

My sister and I are planning an 8 day trip to New Mexico in April. We like to hike and camp, and to eat local food and absorb some culture. Neither of us has been to NM before. We'd fly into Albuquerque, maybe go south from there to Bosque del Apache (?), spend some time in Santa Fe, and hopefully get up to Chimayo to see some weaving. Any thoughts on day hikes, camping opportunities, inexpensive lodging (B&B, hostel), or a rough itinerary?

emalloy

West of Albuquerque is elMorro NM/Inscription rock, a nice place to hike with the inscriptions on the way and ruins up on top. A must visit north of Albuquerque is Bandelier NM which has ancient housing, carved into the mountainside (really hardened volcanic ash), and a second area 5 miles closer to Santa Fe called Tsankawi that has a neat loop trail and unexcavated ruins. East of Santa Fe is Pecos Ruin NM which was interesting. Do go to either Taos pueblo (north of SF) or Accoma pueblo (west of ABQ) for a bit of Native American life. Salinas pueblo is interesting if you are going by on your way south of Abq. If you are interested in the ancient Native Americans, Chaco Canyon is fantastic. It is northwest of Albuquerque, you can camp there, and the closest lodging we have found is in the town of Bloomfield, a half an hour from the entrance road for Chaco. The road into Chaco is 5 miles of pavement and 15 miles of gravel, so watch weather conditions if you decide to go there.

ElendilPickle

emalloy has given you some good suggestions.

Does your eight days include flying days?

Bosque del Apache won't have as many birds in April as it does in the fall and winter. I would probably concentrate on locations north and west of Albuquerque.

You could make a long day of Acoma Pueblo and El Morro. Acoma is about 45 minutes west of Albuquerque, and El Morro is...about two hours west of that. El Morro is pretty interesting with petroglyphs next to colonial Spanish inscriptions next to 19th-century US Army signatures, all carved into the rock.

There are nice hiking trails in the Sandias, the mountains to Albuquerque's east. You can also hike in Bandelier. April may still be a little cold for camping.

Hostels...well, they are few and far between in New Mexico. There is one in Santa Fe, and one in downtown Albuquerque. A B&B will be quite a bit more expensive. What is your lodging budget?

Lee Ann

If you're interested in weaving, take a look at http://www.nmfiberarts.org/

earth_wanderer

I was there in Dec/Jan 10. Bandelier NM is a must see. Most of it was closed when we went due to snow but I am sure will be open in April. If you do go there, try to stop by Los Alamos - Bradbury science museum. It's a fascinating place.The Petroglyph national park in Albuquerque is also a nice day hike and beautiful views from the top.

emd3

I am going to be in Albuquerque and Santa Fe the entire 1st week of April. I got a suite at the Hyatt Place Albuq. airport location(two flat screen TVs, a bedrm and living area w/couch w/divider wall btwn them), at a AAA rate of $71 --then this week I got it reduced to $56 because Hyatt had a Hyatt place sale this week (they have those sales periodically, I get the emails). The airport is essentially "in town," not far out like some airports are, so this location works well.

As for Santa Fe, a month ago I reserved a renovated rm. at Sage Inn on Cerillos Rd., two queen beds with nice free breakfast and free internet, for a AAA rate of $54 per night for 2 people. I stay there whenever I go to Santa Fe, love that hotel, very friendly and they now have a shuttle (short ride ) to the plaza. It is across and a short walk from the railyard area, and there is a Whole Foods market behind the hotel, and a good Mexican restaurant, La Choza, across the street on the railroad tracks.

BOOK NOW for good spring rates. Rates are going to go up for spring if you wait much longer.

jhberkley

Thank you all for your thoughts. We'd be there 8 full days, traveling from and to Boston so assuming pretty full travel days. I was looking at South of Albuquerque because it looks like it's pretty cold and/or windy when you head North. Any input as to the weather in various locations the last week in April?

easytraveler

There's really nothing much going south until you get to Las Cruces after about a 4-5 hour drive. You can cover Las Cruces in one day. Really not worth the long drive. I'd skip going south and just head north to Taos and Santa Fe. You'll have more than enough to do.

In addition to the excellent suggestions above, there's also Los Alamos where the first atomic bomb was developed. The drive into Los Alamos itself is quite spectacular.

http://www.visit.losalamos.com/

More or less in the same area as Los Alamos is Georgia O'Keefe territory, starting with Abiquiu.

http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/visitor...uiu-tours.aspx

In Sante Fe itself is also the Georgia O'Keefe Museum:

http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/


Above Sante Fe and starting from Taos is the Enchanted Circle Drive:

http://www.onroute.com/drives/drives_enchantedcir.html

In Albuquerque itself is the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which also feature pueblo Indian dances at select times.

http://www.indianpueblo.org/


Would also suggest that you pick up one of Tony Hillerman's mysteries featuring Joe Leaphorn. His stories are set in the Navajo Nation, which is different from the Pueblo Indians, but Hillerman's books do convey the flavor of that part of the country.

I love New Mexico!

emalloy

We've been to New Mexico in April several times and the temperature has been very nice for hiking, touring, etc. with just a light jacket. There have been times when it was very windy, mostly in the late afternoon. If you would like to see some pictures of the area at that time I have some at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets in the 2008 and 2009 sets.

heyjude2919

bookmarking. Thanks.