Day 3 began with the 8-mile-long climb up to Pecos Baldy Lake, where I crossed paths with lots of deer, but no people. The route continued up to 12,000 feet elevation to the Trailriders Wall, a broad exposed hogback with fantastic views of Truchas Peak, Middle Truchas, and North Truchas.
I stopped for lunch on the south end of the Trailriders Wall and saw the best wildlife of the trip, a Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep grazing while the dark storm clouds hovered in the background.
Today was the gnarliest day in terms of weather, with 30-35 mph winds whipping as I crossed the Trailriders Wall, and I almost skipped my detour up Truchas Peak because of this weather. After checking the forecast, I decided to set up my tent just beyond the intersection with the Jose Vigil Trail. Then I offloaded the majority of my gear inside my tent so I could make the 3.1-mile (round-trip) detour to the 13,107-foot summit of New Mexico’s second-tallest peak with as light a load as possible.
It was a challenging “choose-your-own-adventure” ascent with the raging wind, but I saw my first person of the day (and his dog) at the summit. Returning to my tent, I packed up my gear and raced against the storm and a bit of hail to reach a higher-than-desired campsite at Truchas Lake (11,860 feet).
Elevation profile on day 3The morning started with a 2-mile climb up the Dockweiler TrailBeautiful aspens on the climbBut also tons of deadfall to navigate on the Dockweiler Trail, tooOctober colorsJuicy trail conditions as I near the Jack’s Creek TrailLots of great camping and “second breakfast” break spots near Jack’s CreekClimbing through the burn scar from the 2013 Jaroso FireA quick peek at Pecos Baldy Lake, where I really should have topped off my waterEvidence of other hikers in the woods near Pecos Baldy Lake, even though I still haven’t seen a soul all dayLots of curious deerMaking the big climb up toward the Trailriders WallMy first views of the magnificent Trailriders Wall and Truchas Peak under some dark, moody cloudsA surprising lunch companion as I sheltered out of the wind in some trees at the south end of the Trailriders WallDuring lunch, I checked today’s (Saturday’s) forecast for Truchas Peak one more timeHeading across the Trailriders Wall while I continue to internally debate whether it’s safe to detour up TruchasThe summit looks so close, and there are even a few blue patches amid those dark clouds in the sky. Keeping my fingers crossed that I make it.After dropping most of my gear in a copse of trees near the Jose Virgil Trail, I begin the “choose-your-own-adventure” over a field of giant bouldersI also briefly followed a faint game trail and did a little rock scrambling at the route curved around a subpeakOnce I got around the bend, the terrain opened up again, and I could see the summit!I also got breathtaking views down to my west of Jose Vigil LakeThe very first person I saw today was this guy and his dog at the summitViews of Truchas Lake to the east. The peak on the far left is Middle Truchas Peak (13,058 feet) and the one behind the lake is North Truchas Peak (13,006 feet)Summit photo with 30-35 mph biting winds nearly blowing me over. Thank goodness I’m wearing three layers on top and two pairs of gloves)I also carried this small white rock to the summit of Truchas Peak and left it behind as a memento for a friend who was mourning a recent loss.As I head back down, the skies suddenly look much less ominousWith the thrill of the climb behind me, I started to really feel the dragging fatigue from the last few days, and the descent turned into a slog. All my energy seemed to evaporate.Bue skies above as I slowly labor my way past Rito Azul. The cold wind is blowing just as fiercely as ever, though, as I trudge through the late afternoon at 11,000 to 12,000 feet elevation.On my last exhausted mile toward Truchas Lake, I spotted some riders and horses who were bedding down in a low spot that’s mostly sheltered from the cold wind.I finally make it to Truchas Lake (11,860 feet). I am so, so exhausted as the sun starts to drop behind the mountains and the weather begins to shift again. It’s going to be a cold, cold night up here.A peek at the hail storm just moments after I set up my tent near Truchas Lake
HIGHLIGHTS
The fall colors in northern New Mexico continue to fill me with so much happiness.
The cluster of trees on the southern end of the Trailriders Wall was a wonderful (wind-free) place to rest for lunch. The views of Truchas Peak with the moody dark clouds above and the grazing Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep will be one of my favorite memories of this adventure.
Summiting Truchas Peak was a solid climb, but it was a fantastic bonus to this thru-hike. Not only is it the second-highest mountain in New Mexico, but it’s the CoHP for two counties, bringing my tally up to 5 of 33 counties.
CHALLENGES
The wind today was ferocious. Thank goodness I decided to pack several warm layers because I definitely needed them on my trek over the Trailriders Wall and the ascent up Truchas Peak.
I felt strong as I worked my way up to the summit of Truchas Peak, but the wheels started to come off during my descent. It’s probably the elevation, but I just had no energy for the final miles to Truchas Lake.
I spent far too long scouting around the lake for a sheltered enough spot to pitch my tent. The weather began shifting quickly as I set up camp, and I was soon pelted with hail.
