WILD RIVERS RECREATION AREA
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Wild Rivers Recreation Area, located 35 miles north of Taos near the Village of Cerro, is an area of the vast colorful New Mexico landscape that has gotten protection from the Federal Government to preserve and maintain the wild beauty and allow access to the public to enjoy the exciting countryside.
Dakota Viewing the Rio Grande Gorge from the Little Arsenic TrailHere, the Rio Grande or "Great River", aided by a "rift" in the earth's surface, has sliced an 800 foot deep canyon through the basalt formations that underlie the high plains of Northern New Mexico. The rift that is the basis for the Rio Grande Gorge is the second largest in the world.
The canyon ecosystem descends 800 feet from rim to river, creating a unique diversity in plant and animal life. Groves of Ponderosa Pines, removed from their usual life zone are blended into ancient Piņon and Juniper forests of 500 year old trees. The river and its immediate banks form an aquatic ecosystem that is unique in this semi-arid region.
Wildlife of many types make this area their home. Here there are mule deer, coyote, porcupines, ground squirrels, rabbits and prairie dogs making their homes. Birds of many kinds can be seen here including eagles, red-tailed hawks, and various jays and woodpeckers. Ducks and geese take advantage of the river in their annual migrations.
This area is administered by the good folks of the Bureau of Land Management.
El Paseo LLama Expeditions has obtained a permit from the BLM to take you on guided hikes with llamas to carry all the gear. We have been hiking, backpacking, camping and llama trekking in this area since 1980. We love it and you will too. Being in the gorge has a unique feel that comes from descending into mother earth. Now you can experience this unique area where the Red River and the Rio Grande River flow as they have for thousands of years. Early Native Americans lived in the area and left their calling cards etched in the rocks.
click on any thumbnail image for a larger view
There are trails on the rim above the gorge and in the gorge itself. These trails are described below and pictured in the images. Consult the LLama Day Hikes page for explanations of our trail rating system.
Our season in the Wild River Recreation Area extends from March 1 to November 30. This is semi-arid country, not alpine. The temperatures are on the warm side in the summer and very pleasant during the spring and fall. Snow falls in the winter and is usually gone by March. Thunder Showers are possible in the summer during the afternoons.
Rinconada Loop 1: L.O.E.1-3, 7450-7500ft.(50ft), 2 miles each way This trail is easy as it follows the rim through the Piņon/Juniper forest from overlook to overlook for a bird's eye view of the gorge. Lunch is served in one of the picnic areas provided by the BLM.
LET A LLAMA TAKE YOU
TO A GOURMET PICNIC LUNCHLittle Arsenic/La Junta: L.O.E. 1-6, 7450-6626ft.(824ft.), 2.2 miles each way This trail takes us into the Gorge. First we drop about 700 ft. to the River trail and then we hike south along the river enjoying the views as the river flows by. We hike to La Junta (pronounced La Hunta) (translates to The Meeting as in coming together or loosely, The Junction) where the Red River flows into the Rio Grande...quite dramatic. We then hike back along the river to the Little Arsenic trail. It's all pretty easy to this point. The climb out on the Little Arsenic trail is the L.O.E 5-6 portion and requires the hiker to have some fitness. Not recommended for couch potatoes or the gravitationally challenged.
Views along the Little Arsenic Trail.Guadalupe Mountain: L.O.E. 3-6, 8682-7801ft.(836ft.) 1.6 miles each way This is a nice hike that goes the opposite of the other trails in this area. You go up in the morning and down in the afternoon. We climb to the top of an ancient volcanic peak for a great view of the countryside, have lunch and hike back down. Since it is up and down for the most part, it will require some physical fitness, but not as much as the trails into the gorge.
KIDS CAN RIDE
Rinconada Loop 1: L.O.E.1-3, 7450-7500ft.(50ft), 6 mile loop This trail is easy as it follows the rim through the Piņon/Juniper forest from overlook to overlook for a bird's eye view of the gorge. It then turns out onto the Mesa and does a loop past the visitor center and back to our starting point. Lunch is served in one of the picnic areas provided by the BLM.
Little Arsenic/Big Arsenic Spring: L.O.E 1-6, 7450-6716ft.(734 ft.) 3 miles each way This trek descends the Little Arsenic trail to the River trail and we turn north to follow the river upstream. In addition to the river flowing by, we pass the Little Arsenic and Big Arsenic springs and we pass through several Ponderosa groves. The word "Big" in Big Arsenic is not an exaggeration...it is a stream. This hike also takes us to the Petroglyphs left by ancient Native American hunters. This hike is mostly easy, except for some short climbs (200ft.) and some rough spots in the trail along the river. After lunch, we hike back along the river to the Little Arsenic trail where we ascend to the rim. The climb out on the Little Arsenic trail is the L.O.E 5-6 portion and requires the hiker to have some fitness. Not recommended for couch potatoes or the gravitationally challenged.
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Views along the River Trail
Little Arsenic/Big Arsenic/La Junta: L.O.E 1-6, 7450-6716ft. (734 ft.) 1-3 miles each way OK, if you are into fishing, we will go with you into the gorge and bring the lunch and your gear so you can enjoy the fishing. The river is easily accessed in most places and you can fly fish or spin cast from the bank. Wading is tricky because of the current, depth of water and the slick rocks and is not recommended. These are designated special trout waters (rules apply) and a New Mexico fishing license is required (available in Taos and Questa). In addition to trout, there are bass and northern pike in these waters. This trek descends the Little Arsenic trail to the River trail. From there we can go up or down stream and you can try your skills along the way. At the end of the day, we will retrace our steps to the Little Arsenic trail and ascend to the rim. The climb out on the Little Arsenic trail is the L.O.E 5-6 portion and requires the hiker to have some fitness. Not recommended for couch potatoes or the gravitationally challenged.The Whole Enchilada: L.O.E. 1-7, 7450-6650ft.(800ft.) 7 mile loop This one is done without the llamas because pack animals cannot negotiate portions of this hike and therefore are not allowed on these trails by the BLM. This is the cream of the crop hike. We start by descending the Big Arsenic trail to the Spring and the Petroglyphs and then hiking south along the River trail for three miles to La Junta and then climb the La Junta Trail, which, believe it or not, includes 3 flights of stairs and a ladder hence no pack animals allowed. We then hike a portion of the Rinconada trail following the rim back to the Big Arsenic trailhead. This one does require good physical fitness to enjoy. Mostly it is easy but there are rough spots and short climbs on the River trail and then there is the 700ft. climb up the La Junta trail to add to the length. If you have what it takes, this hike is not to be missed.
Two day expedition: We hike into the gorge on the Little Arsenic trail and set up camp at the Little Arsenic camping area or hike up the River trail to the Big Arsenic camping area and set up camp there. After the chores are done, you can hike along the river, or relax in the shade watching the river flow by or explore or view the petroglyphs. Or you can go fishing! We will feed you our great food. The second day , you can do more of the same. We will break camp and hike back to the trail head.
Trekking downstream on the River Trail.Three day expedition: This one is similar to the two day expedition with the addition of a whole day more in this beautiful country. A whole day of fishing if you like or we can do the Whole Enchilada hike starting and ending at our camp.
See the pages What's It Like Out There and LLama Expeditions for more details on expeditions.
A great spot to watch the river flowing
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History written in Stone.
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