The Los Alamos Reporter was fascinated by Nathan Burnside’s photos of his recent ride from Los Alamos to Abiquiu through the Jemez Mountains which started out with some dramatic lighting over Los Alamos Canyon. Photo by Nathan Burnside
The view back across Canada Bonita. The rains from the previous evening, and the lingering clouds make for some beautiful light. Photo by Nathan Burnside
After descending the access road near Canada Bonita, the first view is of Valle de los Posos, a misspelling of pozos, meaning spring or well. Photo by Nathan Burnside
This little pond was hoppin’ with croaking frogs. Photo by Nathan Burnside
A small herd of elk was running about and enjoying the moisture. Photo by Nathan Burnside
‘Far off I could see the meadow near Garita Peak that I would traverse while climbing out of the preserve’. Photo by Nathan Burnside
Valle Toledo is the headwaters for the San Antonio creek and it seems to go on forever. It’s just starting to green-up. Photo by Nathan Burnside
San Antonio creek gathers from hundreds of small springs throughout the Valle Todelo, and has a healthy flow by the time it crosses the road and heads toward the Valle San Antonio. Photo by Nathan Burnside
VC12 doesn’t see much traffic, and it’s mostly carpeted with greenery. Photo by Nathan Burnside
Finally at the meadow, a view of the entire north side of the preserve comes into view. Photo by Nathan Burnside
‘Looking back toward Pajarito, I can see the Valle de los Posos (top left) where I took the photo of this meadow.’ Photo by Nathan Burnside
After a bit of bushwhacking and lifting the bike over logs, I arrive at Chihuahuenos canyon. Photo by Nathan Burnside
After climbing out of Chihuahuenos the terrain starts to look a lot like the Pajarito Plateau–but with Cerro Pedernal in the background. Photo by Nathan Burnside
It appeared, for a moment, to be active! Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
I didn’t get many photos of the descent from Polvadera mesa. It was fast, bumpy and dusty. I was glad to have suspension. Soon Pedernal is just a blip on the horizon. Photo by Nathan Burnside
In these wide open grasslands, the roads seem to stretch out forever. Photo by Nathan Burnside
The final 6 miles or so are screaming descent on a washboarded gravel road. Photo by Nathan Burnside
Finally Abuquiu comes into sight. Burnside’s route from Los Alamos to Abiquiu started at Pajarito. He rode out past Canada Bonita, dropped into the Valles Caldera and traversed to Valle San Antonio. From there, he headed north on VC12 to climb out of the preserve. He followed FR144 east to the ‘secret’ entrance to Canada de la Mora, then descended through Chihuahuenos canyon until intersecting FR448. He climbed out of the drainage and up to Polvadera mesa, intersecting the great divide mountain bike route. Finally he descended to Abiquiu. Photo by Nathan Burnside
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