Backpacking Latir Wilderness Illustrated

[Ray52]

I was in New Mexico last week for a short backpacking trip in the Latir Wilderness and another day to explore the Wild River Rio Grande Gorge.  My initial plan was to join QS, Lance, Wayne & Boaz on their upcoming Grand Gulch exploration but, early on, when I realized I couldn't make the logistics work, I opted out and started planning something else. QS knew pretty much what I had in mind and was quick to suggest the Latir Wilderness. I'd never heard of it, but my initial search engine inquiry validated everything QS had told me and the obvious passion he has for this area. My planning began.  My hike to the top of Latir Massif and on to the 12,700' summit of Latir Peak wasn't very long at 14-15 miles out and back, but I'm no longer obsessed with high mileage goals, and definitely not fit enough to endure them either.

A couple of weeks before leaving I ordered a GPS and Lance was kind enough to offer technical assistance and training over the telephone.  Later this week I'll see if I passed his course and am able to upload tracks and elevation profiles for those of you who enjoy them.  Since returning, I've been preoccupied with the multitude of photos I took with my G12 and its badly damaged lens. 

 

I created an online Picasaweb album with many of the others.
https://picasaweb.google.com/114137586390300170556/LatirWildernessBackpack?authkey=Gv1sRgCLThv4KA6JrFEQ


Most of them have captions which will briefly describe my trip.  Sorry about the poor quality and I'm sending that camera to Canon tomorrow!

[Picacho]

The Latir Peaks Wilderness is one of my favorite places.  I've been there many times and have climbed all of the official 12ers there.  Here is a pano I took from near the summit of Latir Mesa.  I didn't know at that time to put the camera on manual mode so the pano sucks, but gives you a good idea of the high peaks in the Latirs.

Pano from below the summit of Latir Mesa.

Here is a shot I took two weeks ago from the summit of Bull Creek Peak. 

Pano from the summit of Bull Creek Peak.

[Al]

Ray, thanks!  Could you tell us more about the hike?

Al

[mule ears]

Nice Ray, I will have to look this area up.  It appears as if you could combine lots of routes.  I hope the llama packers didn't disturb your tranquility too much.

[dkerr24]

Great pics, definitely an area I want to visit in detail soon.  It's only about a 9 hour drive from my locale, closer for me than BIBE is

Darin

[Picacho]

Here is another pano.  This one taken from Latir Baldy looking over at the Latir Massif.  Hart Lake is visible but small and hidden by the trees.  Latir Baldy isn't much of a peak, it's more or less a bald spot along a ridge.  It's still a good Latir Wilderness Hike which is an alternate to the Cabresto Lake trailhead. 



Then looking the other direction you can see Latir Baldy and Hart Lake from the slopes of Latir Mesa.

[Picacho]

The pic of Latir Mesa from Latir Baldy was September 6, 2009 and the pic of Latir Baldy from Latir Mesa was taken a month earlier the same year.  The pic from Bull Creek Peak in an earlier post was taken about 2 weeks ago. 

As far as the pipe, I blew up the photo and it's just old wood.  The top of Baldy must have had trees on it a long time ago. 

My parents live in Red River so I have the opportunity to get up to the Latirs quite a bit. 

[Al]

Sure, I'll be glad to tell you as much as you want to know Al.  I hope to be able to post GPS tracks and elevation profiles this weekend and if successful they'll provide quite a bit of info. I live and work at 9' above sea level so I was a little concerned about my ability to function in the higher elevations.  I had a problem on Cotopaxi a few years ago, but that was above 15K'.  Since then, I have hiked at Grand Canyon and in the Chisos so this hike could possibly cause problems.  I'm glad to say that it didn't though.  I felt fine other than having almost no appetite.  I ate only one small meal each day while on the trail (single serving items by Packit Gourmet/ very good  ).  My energy levels were fine except on the last half of the hike out, and my appetite returned when I got to Taos.

I've said this elsewhere so hope I'm not being repetitive, but when I planned my first backpack trip nearly 40 years ago, I imagined a trail like this one, heavily wooded, mountain meadows, swift running streams, lake, wildlife, and high altitude views, but until now, hadn't found one trail that delivered all of those.  I've learned to appreciate different things and every hike I've done has multiple highlights, but this is the one I've dreamed of for so long, and I'm glad I've finally found it on a map. 

I'm planning for something in the Pecos Wilderness next spring/summer.  You want to join me?

Ray,  thanks a million for asking. 

Al

[rauburg]

Thank you for the pictures and descriptions Ray. QS got me interested in this area and I plan to go next summer too. And with your post I have a much greater understanding of the area. I can't wait. You have really stoked the fire.

I have a question too. I am thinking that the prime time for a trip would be from late August to early September. That way you could avoid snow fields and, maybe, the chances for afternoon storms would be less. What do you think.

Randy

[Picacho]

The trail starts at a much higher altitude than Cabresto Lake and it does stay pretty high along a ridgeline.  Part of the way you will hike along an old dirt road.  It's an easy trail but yes, it won't have any water.  I'll post some pics in a little bit.

And yes, it snowed pretty good about at the end of August.  We ran into about 6 to 8 inches of snow near the summit of Wheeler, but it melted off pretty fast.  September is usually better regarding weather than August.  This year the monsoon lasted a bit longer than usual.  That may be why the leaves hadn't really started turning yet.  Usually they turn earlier. 

[Picacho]

The trail is up the Cabresto Canyon road aways, past the turnoff to Red River.  There is now a sign marking the trailhead but you have to be paying attention to be able to see it. 



This is the trail near the beginning.



This is the portion of the trail that follows a road.  It crosses private property here and there but not very far.  If you had to, you could avoid it by doing a little bushwhacking.



It doesn't gain much altitude for a while, then later on maybe 3/4's of the way to Baldy you ascend a ridge, then descend a little bit, then make your final ascent up to Baldy.  You will pass this sign not too far from the summit of Baldy.



Now I see the pipe you were referring to.  I am not sure why it's there, but it's right by the USGS marker.  Maybe since Baldy is so flat, it would be hard to find the marker without the pipe.  The peak you are looking at from Baldy is Baldy Cabin Peak, an official 12er.  Latir Baldy is a 12er, but it is not an official peak because it is lower than Baldy Cabin peak and there is not a 300 ft. difference between the saddle.



Here is a photo from Latir Baldy from Baldy Cabin Peak.  It's not too far over to Baldy Cabin Peak although it will require some bushwhacking. You can see Gold Hill in the background of this pic.



And finally, here is a pic of Wheeler Peak with the new snow on the top on September 11, 2011.  Wheeler is on the right of the photo. 



Here is a pic of Old Mike (unofficial 13er) from the summit of Wheeler Peak on Sept 11, 2011.

[Homer67]

Man!  I love the pictures!

[homerboy2u]

Man, what a great trip report RayM...or is it RichardM?  ......any hoots.

 I finally took the time to read your whole TR, since the beggining. A fantastic scenary indeed.

    Presidio...where ever you are....HEHEHE...you were right about BLM Lands. A very very late joke, but none the less true,Dude. 

 Some important thing, I have come to terms while a member here. To a great trip report, it is a must to have pictures or videos to tag along. It is what spruces up a good TR,next thing to it, would be actually breathing and seeing this in 3D...some time near the future, I bet. But the only thing I do not like about PICASA, which happens to be a good site for posting pictures and sharing thru emails is that you can not post them to your story telling like smugmug,photobucket, webshots, YouTube,Vimeo and all the other rest of the picture sites there are out there. PICASA is very stingy with it's picture hosting. At least from my perspective that is.

  Other that, a great experience to say the least.

Thank you so much for sharing...snow in August....Jesus Christ!!...can you believe it?.

Homero

P.S.- How is the lady Dog doing....you have not posted any more pictures of her.

[rauburg]

Ray/Picacho,

How much water did you carry most of the time? Was a couple of quarts enough or did you have to carry more?

I wish that I had been able to make it this year but this summer was just too hectic. Wheeler Peak really whetted my interest in Northern New Mexico and I can't wait to get back.

Randy

[Picacho]

I carry an Osprey Raptor 14 hydration pack.  It has a 3 liter bladder.  I bought mine for mountain biking so it is a little small for hiking, but I was still able to fit a 800 fill down jacket, rain gear, and food into it.  The Osprey Mantra is better for hiking, and it also has a built in rain cover.  During the cooler months such as September or October, 2 liters would probably be enough, 3 liters if it is hotter or the hike is longer than 10 miles round trip.  For the Latir Baldy hike, 2 quarts should be sufficient even when it is warmer.  Don't skimp on water though, being hydrated helps us lowlanders with the altitude.