Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

Hike report for 4/2/26 – Centella Point:

 

Wow, we had 4 new people show up for this hike along with 10 “regulars”, and it was just beautiful up there:

With all of us not used to the elevation, I worried about folks hiking at 9000 ft. when unaccustomed to it.   Fortunately, the USFS opened the Rustler Park gate so we could drive up the Long Park Road (cutting off 2 steep miles), and everybody did great!  All were experienced hikers, brought enough water, etc.  We all got out to Centella Point for lunch.

  

Most of us continued to hike around Fly Peak to Round Park & back on the crest trail – 6 miles total.  We were reminded of all of the work that various crews have done to keep this trail open, thank you:  

It was rather green from last week’s rain and some of the aspen are leafing out!  I imagine It will be a hot summer,  but we are all breathing a sigh of relief about getting some rain this spring.  So happy to see wildflowers blooming, lizards sunning, and cones coming out on the Engelmann Spruce: 

Next week we will try again to visit Paramore Crater, in the southern San Simon valley.  Meet at the Rodeo P.O. at 8 AM Arizona time, 9 AM New Mexico.  It is supposed to stay a little cool, and desert flowers are still in bloom.  There will be no shade on this hike, but there will be only a little elevation gain/loss.  Remember to bring lunch, water, hat, good boots and bring some sunscreen. 

 

Hike report from Elaine & Al, photos from Denise & Elaine