Forest Plan Revision Forest Resource Field Trips – Santa Fe National Forest
(Field trips are weather dependent and subject to cancellation. Cancellation notices will be emailed and posted to www.fs.usda.gov/goto/santafeforestplan.)
The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is revising its Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), which guides management for all resources throughout the forest for the next 10 to 15 years. The following field trips are designed to provide opportunities for you to see resources on the forest, have conversations with SFNF specialists, and begin discussions with us and each other about what should be in the Forest Plan. The idea for field trips came from public meetings held in spring 2014 and YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED as we begin to draft the plan! Multiple-use locations have been selected throughout the forest to discuss current and future management needs of our forest resources.
Please note the following:
- Attendees must register by phone (505-438-5442) or email (santafeforestplan@fs.fed.us) prior to the field trip due to limited parking at some locations.
- Carpooling is recommended. Although there is no limit on people, there is a limit on vehicles.
- Some field trips require attendees to bring high clearance vehicles.
- Some field trips require hiking 3+ miles in potentially steep terrain, as noted below.
- Weather conditions on the Forest are often unpredictable. Prepare to be outdoors for the duration of the field trip. Water, a hat, sunscreen, good hiking boots or walking shoes, and attire for hot and cold weather are required. Those without proper attire and equipment will be sent home.
- Field trips 5 hours and longer will break for lunch. Please bring your own lunch.
* For more information regarding field trip details please visit the Santa Fe National Forest website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home
Field Trip Information:
1 – Aspen Meadows – Hiking Field Trip (moderate difficulty). Participants will be required to hike approximately 3.5 miles in sometimes difficult terrain. Discussions will center around past management activities and forest vegetation conditions. The trail will drop down to a small drainage and staff will discuss the stark changes between two adjacent mixed-conifer stands. There will then be an option for folks to view a stand of old-growth ponderosa pine that resembles the historic stand structure. Lunch will be taken along the Rio En Medio to discuss water, recreation, and wildlife. Time permitting, additional stops may be added.
Date: Saturday, Sep.24th Time to Meet: 8:00 a.m. Approx. Duration: 6 hours
Meeting Location: Aspen Ranch Parking Lot Field Stops: 3
High Clearance Vehicle Needed: Yes
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2 – Gallinas Watershed – This watershed located on the eastern boundary of SFNF is a municipal watershed but also provides recreational opportunities. Participants on this field trip will discuss watershed protection objectives as well as desired conditions for the mixed confer forests in this area.
Date: Thursday, Sep. 29th Time to Meet: 9:00 a.m. Approx. Duration: 5 hours
Meeting Location: Las Vegas Ranger District Field Stops: 3
High Clearance Vehicle Needed: Yes
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3 – The Moya Project – The Northeast corner of Santa Fe National Forest accommodates numerous oil and gas wells that provide energy for our nation, as well as boasting a rich cultural history. This field trip will visit both the gas and oil fields as well as stop at Rattlesnake Ridge to discuss cultural resources. This area dominated by Ponderosa pine also serves as an elk wintering range, making it appropriate for discussions about wildlife and hunting.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 1st Time to Meet: 9:00 a.m. Approx. Duration: 5 hours
Meeting Location: BMG Warehouse (FR 313) Field Stops: 3
High Clearance Vehicle Needed: Yes
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4 – Rio Chama River – The Chama River provides recreational opportunities to thousands of visitors each year but also serves as a much needed water source to people, wildlife, and cattle. Discussions will also include the adjoining Chama River Canyon Wilderness and its recreational and preservation benefits.
Date: Wednesday Oct. 5th Time to Meet: 1:00 p.m. Approx. Duration: 3 hours
Meeting Location: Skull Bridge Field Stops: 1
High Clearance Vehicle Needed: No
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5 – Jemez Driving Tour – Additional transportation at the meeting site may be provided for this riding tour of the Jemez Ranger District of the SFNF. Attendees will be shuttled to numerous locations along Highway 4 and Forest Service Rd 10 through a myriad of forest types where staff will discuss recreational management along the river, fire and fuels, the impacts of uncharacteristic fires, and cultural and geologic.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 8th Time to Meet: 8:30 a.m. Approx. Duration: 6 hours
Meeting Location: Walatowa Visitor Center Field Stops: 6
High Clearance Vehicle Needed: No
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6 – Pajarito Area – This ski area is the most popular recreation area for Los Alamos. Dead and down fuel buildup in mixed-conifer forest continues to be a big concern as well as the watershed health. Two years of public tree planting occurred after the Las Conchas fire, abundant wildlife exist in the area, and there are diverse recreational opportunities from skiing and snow shoeing to mountain biking and hiking.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 15th Time to Meet: 1:00 p.m. Approx. Duration: 4 hours
Meeting Location: Pajarito Ski Area Field Stops: 2
High Clearance Vehicle Needed: Yes
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7 – Caja del Rio – The Caja is a unique place on the Santa Fe NF offering recreational opportunities and cultural sites found nowhere else on the forest. Participants on this field trip will see Pinyon-Juniper habitats and discuss range management, cultural resources, wildlife, and vandalism in the area.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 22nd Time to Meet: 9:00 a.m. Approx. Duration: 4 hours
Meeting Location: Santa Fe NF Office Field Stops: 2
High Clearance Vehicle Needed: Yes
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