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On the trail: For those wanting to stretch their legs, ABQ offers plenty of hiking options
With the Balloon Fiesta on the horizon, the Duke City will see an increase in out-of-town traffic in the coming weeks.
While Mass Ascensions, Balloon Glows and Special Shapes Rodeos are some of the featured attractions for the event, visitors also need something to occupy their time when they鈥檙e not at Balloon Fiesta Park. One potential option is to explore the multitude of walking and hiking trails available in the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 area.
According to bosque project coordinator Dustin Chavez-Davis, the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Open Space trails are popular with both newcomers and residents at this time of year.
鈥淲e definitely see an uptick in visitors and tourists. But locals, people who live here year round, it鈥檚 a favorite time to get out and enjoy those cooler temperatures,鈥� he said.
鈥溾�� Every year around this time we definitely see an influx of people. We have extra trash runs trying to keep things clean and accessible for people. We are happy that people are getting out and getting to explore the Open Spaces for sure.鈥�
As an added bonus, an annular solar eclipse will occur in that timeframe. This happens when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth at or near its farthest point, creating a visual where it appears there is a 鈥渞ing of fire鈥� around the moon. The annular solar eclipse is expected to take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 鈥� right at the end of the Balloon Fiesta.
鈥淚 think that鈥檚 an exciting opportunity, too. We鈥檙e right in the path of that, so I think it鈥檚 gonna bring some extra folks into town,鈥� said Chavez-Davis. 鈥淪o there are opportunities at some of the Open Spaces to view that as well. That鈥檚 an extra bonus this year.鈥�
Regardless of one鈥檚 motivation to get out, plenty of opportunities exist for walking and hiking enthusiasts. According to the City of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 website, the Paseo del Bosque is regarded as sa国际传媒官网网页入口鈥檚 鈥減remiere multi-use trail鈥� with 16 miles of trails and multiple access points throughout the city. But it鈥檚 far from the only option.
鈥淭here鈥檚 also the Rio del Norte, which is kind of accessible right off of Central by the BioPark and Tingley,鈥� Chavez-Davis said. 鈥淭ingley gets a lot of visitors, and rightfully so. It鈥檚 super accessible right off of Route 66, the heart of the city. There鈥檚 the fishing ponds and the RC boat pond, and there鈥檚 wetlands inside the Bosque that are managed more for wildlife habitat. People come out to do birding, to look at wildlife and then, of course, walk the trails there too. It鈥檚 definitely one of our most successful open space areas, just right there on Central and the river.鈥�
If observing the balloons from a distance is the goal, Chavez-Davis recommends venturing to the west side of the river to locations such as the Boca Negro Arroyo and Calabacillas Arroyo.
鈥淭he Petroglyph areas are nice because they鈥檙e west of the city, so they鈥檙e not like in the heart of the (area) where all the Balloon Fiesta traffic is going,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t gives you more of a bird鈥檚-eye view from a distance, where you can see balloons going up and down all across the valley.鈥�
With many options available, choosing a trail can be overwhelming. A useful resource in that regard is , which rates more than 100 sa国际传媒官网网页入口 walking and hiking trails based upon user reviews and offers details on length, terrain, scenery and other conditions.
No matter what the destination may be, Chavez-Davis has a few tips for visitors and locals alike as they hit the trails this fall.
鈥淲e always try to educate folks about the 鈥榣eave no trace鈥� principle. If you are going on a hike, try to take all your trash. You don鈥檛 want to leave behind litter or trash or any evidence that you were there,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he other thing is you definitely want to stay hydrated and wear sun protection and bring extra water. Even if it鈥檚 fall temperatures, sometimes we still have heat in October. You鈥檝e got to be prepared for all weather events.鈥�
