It was around 8:30am when I arrived at the ski basin and parked. The day was beautiful and I was really looking forward to this hike. There were four people at the trailhead that started hiking just before me and there were also about 12 cars in the parking lot, so I felt I would have plenty of company.
The first part of this hike is pretty much all uphill via a bunch of switchbacks until you reach the Forest Service fence. So I took my time (and plenty of rest breaks) along the way. I did meet up with quite a few people during this part of the hike. Once I got to the fence I started looking for my first letterbox - Southwest Speedster. I followed the clues and I found the box pretty quickly and then I looked for a nice place to sit and stamp in. I was surprised to find that I was the first finder and there was a hitchhiker in the box that the placer had left there. Anyway, I stamped in and then replaced the box. Once back on the trail I was feeling good and decided I would hike to the junction with the trail to Nambe Lake and look for another letterbox. Along the way I met up with about 18 people - both coming and going. This was the first time I have taken this trail this far. I usually stop at the fence and go up to Raven's Ridge. The hike was beautiful and I was really enjoying myself. When I finally arrived at the turnoff for Nambe Lake I read the clue for the letterbox. I then crossed a wooden foot bridge and followed the rest of the clues to find What's It All About Mr. N? by BlindSmiley. Once I had the box in hand I found a nice flat rock near the water and stamped in. After about 20 minutes of just sitting there I replaced the box and then started thinking about how I felt and if I wanted to continue or head back or take the trail to Nambe Lake.Assessing everything, I decided to continue on the trail and try and make it to Puerto Nambe and look for one more letterbox.
Everything was fine and I was taking pictures, meeting up with other hikers and loving the hike . . . and then it started to thunder. Soon after the thunder started the clouds started turning dark. I am not sure exactly where I was and how much further it was to Puerto Nambe but I decided it was time to turn around. So I started heading back and just before I reached the turnoff for Nambe Lake it started to rain. It was only a few drops at first but in no time it evoled to a steady drizzle. Thankfully it only drizzled and thundered - there was no lightning. Heading back was mostly uphill and I was doing a steady walk just trying to get back to my car which was really getting to my legs. I did have to stop a few times and let my legs relax for a minute before continuing. Finally I made it back to the car and I was glad to be out of the rain. I ended up seeing around 25 people on the trail. Of those 9 were children under 10 years of age hiking with their parents. I also met up with five dogs.My original plan included this hike and then I was going to check on a few boxes as I drove down the mountains but with the rain I decided to just call it a day and head home. I really enjoyed the hike and would have loved making it to Puerto Nambe - so I guess I will just have to make it out there soon and try again.
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