Scott - May 12, 2024 8:36 pm Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2024
Cerro Grande
In the morning I climbed Cerro Grande. It was foggy and cold at first and the trees were covered in ice, but once the sun came out the clouds dissipated and it warmed up quick. The only obstacles were crossing several snowfields which was a bit tedious. Along the hike I saw many elk and birds as well as heard something howling loudly. It didn't sound like a coyote or dog, so I don't know what is was.
I still had time in the afternoon so hiked around the main Pueblo at Bandelier National Monument. The ruins and cave houses (about 1000 years old) of the Ancestral Pueblo are some of the best around and are quite impressive. The scenery was great too.
Jeremy Hakes - Jul 31, 2021 6:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2021
Great hike
Just a gorgeous hike on a great trail.
Scrambling Man - Jun 1, 2018 10:56 am Date Climbed: May 31, 2018
Good Views
Relatively easy hike to the top. Nice views of surrounding area.
birdhead - Jun 11, 2017 3:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2017
Trail
Carried Evan to the summit. His first peak!
Stu Brandel - Jun 15, 2016 6:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2016
Big Grassy Knoll
After a serene and pleasant hike up through the endless grassy meadow that makes up the top of the mountain, I was amazed at the truly vast grassland of Valles Grande. Wonderful 70s F hiking near noon.
mountaingazelle - May 10, 2012 1:01 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2012
Cerro Grande
It was interesting to see the burn areas on Cerro Grande. Good view of Valles Caldera from the summit. I saw several elk on the lower part of mountain.
davebobk47 - Apr 25, 2009 12:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 24, 2009
Nice
One of the nicer hikes in NM. Great views. Tons of Elk sign but I didn't see any.
MoapaPk - Dec 14, 2008 2:06 am Date Climbed: May 31, 1983
back before it was legal
I read the instructions from Ungenade's book, and parked my car and started up; there was no trail back then. I knew the Baca Land Co. had given the land to the USPS back in 1976, with the condition that the USPS put up a 2-strand fence along the west side by 1979.
Surprise, surprise! It was Labor Day weekend, the cops were out, and gave me a 7-year probation in lieu of a ticket, when I returned to my car. It turned out that the USPS was unable to meet the requirement (which a private citizen could have met in a few days), and decided to deal with potential trespassing (people who might stumble 1 mile off course and enter Baca land) by making it illegal to climb the mountain. They were going to give me a fine, but I went through the logic with them, and eventually they admitted they were "enforcing" because they screwed up.
Garon Coriz - Dec 14, 2008 1:11 am Date Climbed: Dec 13, 2008
Quick Half-day Hike
Snowed the night before, which increased the beauty several fold.
Scott - May 12, 2024 8:36 pm Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2024
Cerro GrandeIn the morning I climbed Cerro Grande. It was foggy and cold at first and the trees were covered in ice, but once the sun came out the clouds dissipated and it warmed up quick. The only obstacles were crossing several snowfields which was a bit tedious. Along the hike I saw many elk and birds as well as heard something howling loudly. It didn't sound like a coyote or dog, so I don't know what is was.
I still had time in the afternoon so hiked around the main Pueblo at Bandelier National Monument. The ruins and cave houses (about 1000 years old) of the Ancestral Pueblo are some of the best around and are quite impressive. The scenery was great too.
Jeremy Hakes - Jul 31, 2021 6:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2021
Great hikeJust a gorgeous hike on a great trail.
Scrambling Man - Jun 1, 2018 10:56 am Date Climbed: May 31, 2018
Good ViewsRelatively easy hike to the top. Nice views of surrounding area.
birdhead - Jun 11, 2017 3:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2017
TrailCarried Evan to the summit. His first peak!
Stu Brandel - Jun 15, 2016 6:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2016
Big Grassy KnollAfter a serene and pleasant hike up through the endless grassy meadow that makes up the top of the mountain, I was amazed at the truly vast grassland of Valles Grande. Wonderful 70s F hiking near noon.
mountaingazelle - May 10, 2012 1:01 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2012
Cerro GrandeIt was interesting to see the burn areas on Cerro Grande. Good view of Valles Caldera from the summit. I saw several elk on the lower part of mountain.
stinkfoot - Apr 16, 2011 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Apr 12, 2007
Surprise elk!Bumped into an elk herd on saddle; beautiful view of caldera from summit.
strudolyubov - Jul 21, 2009 12:12 pm
Nice hikeNice hike. Awesome views of Valles Caldera.
davebobk47 - Apr 25, 2009 12:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 24, 2009
NiceOne of the nicer hikes in NM. Great views. Tons of Elk sign but I didn't see any.
MoapaPk - Dec 14, 2008 2:06 am Date Climbed: May 31, 1983
back before it was legalI read the instructions from Ungenade's book, and parked my car and started up; there was no trail back then. I knew the Baca Land Co. had given the land to the USPS back in 1976, with the condition that the USPS put up a 2-strand fence along the west side by 1979.
Surprise, surprise! It was Labor Day weekend, the cops were out, and gave me a 7-year probation in lieu of a ticket, when I returned to my car. It turned out that the USPS was unable to meet the requirement (which a private citizen could have met in a few days), and decided to deal with potential trespassing (people who might stumble 1 mile off course and enter Baca land) by making it illegal to climb the mountain. They were going to give me a fine, but I went through the logic with them, and eventually they admitted they were "enforcing" because they screwed up.
Garon Coriz - Dec 14, 2008 1:11 am Date Climbed: Dec 13, 2008
Quick Half-day HikeSnowed the night before, which increased the beauty several fold.