2025-09-26 NM-001 New Mexico

<<< Summary >>>

Santa Fe (6,998 feet) is the oldest capital city in the U.S. established way back in 1607. Santa Fe first became a capital three years later, making it both the oldest capital city in the country and the oldest European settlement west of the Mississippi River. We'll visit and explore the ancient Anasazi Puebloans and their cliff dwellings, and the museum at Bandelier National Monument.

Los Alamos was formerly administered exclusively by the U.S. federal government during the Manhattan Project. We'll have a chance to visit some of its unique landmarks traced back to its early development era.

Taos is so special in the American history. Taos Pueblo is the only Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. We'll stay in this remarkably interesting little town for two nights.

We'll enjoy the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Experience its pre-dawn Opening Ceremonies and the unforgettable Mass Balloon Ascension as hundreds of hot air balloons lift off and turn the sky into a breathtaking rainbow of colors, all led by a balloon flying the American flag to the music of The Star-Spangled Banner. We'll catch the popular Balloon Glows, where all balloons fire up their burners and light up at the same time, and the amazing After Glow Fireworks show.

Web links are included here:

Santa Fe, NM  photos  Aspen  Information

Taos  photos  Information

<<< Logistics >>>

We’ll meet first thing in the morning at various locations or trailheads. I’ll set up a group chat in WhatsApp to communicate our daily meeting place and meeting time.

Book the following lodging yourself.

Santa Fe 5 nights: check in 9/26 [Fri], check out 10/1 [Wed]

Taos 2 nights: check in 10/1 [Wed], check out 10/3 [Fri]

Albuquerque 2 nights: check in 10/3 [Fri], check out 10/5 [Sun]

<<< Itinerary >>>

This itinerary is designed for shorter hiking and more free time to enjoy many other interesting attractions and activities in the area.

Attraction and activity suggestion:

Santa Fe: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum; San Miguel Mission; Palace of the Governors; New Mexico History Museum; New Mexico State Capitol; New Mexico Museum of Art; Loretto Chapel Museum and its unsupported wooden spiral staircase; The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi; Museum of International Folk Art; Museum of Indian Arts & Culture; Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian;

Los Alamos: Los Alamos Nature Center; Los Alamos History Museum; Manhattan Project National Historical Park & Visitor Center; Oppenheimer House;

Taos: San Francisco de Asís Catholic Mission Church; The Town of Taos; Taos Pueblo; Taos Plaza; Kit Carson House and Museum; Millicent Rogers Museum; Rio Grande Gorge & Bridge;

Albuquerque: National Museum of Nuclear Science & History; Indian Pueblo Cultural Center; International Balloon Museum; Albuquerque Old Town; Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway: Buy ticket online in advance. Going up to the top of Sandia Mountains (10,378 feet).

Day 1: 2025-09-26 Friday.

Take a flight to Albuquerque [ABQ]; drive your rental car to Santa Fe to check in lodging. Driving time is about one hour.

Day 2: 9/27 Sat, Meeting Time: 8:30 am.

Aspen Vista (D4: 7 miles/ 1600 feet ascent).

Day 3: 9/28 Sun, Meeting Time: 9:00 am.

Deception Peak (12,341 feet) (D5: 6 miles/ 2600 feet ascent).

Day 4: 9/29 Mon, Meeting Time: 8:30 am.

Bandelier National Monument and Los Alamos (D2: 5 miles/ 400 feet ascent).

Day 5: 9/30 Tue, Meeting Time: various depending on subgroup interests

A free day for urban walk in Santa Fe or anything you would like to do.

Day 6: 10/1 Wed, Meeting Time: we’ll drive to Taos and check in lodging

San Francisco de Asís Catholic Mission Church; Taos Pueblo; Rio Grande Gorge (D2: 5 miles/ 400 feet ascent).

Day 7: 10/2 Thu, Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Wheeler Peak (13,161 feet) the highest Mt of New Mexico (D5: 10 miles/ 3000 feet ascent).

Day 8: 10/3 Fri, Meeting Time: we’ll drive to Albuquerque and check in lodging

A free day for urban walk in Albuquerque or anything you would like to do.

Day 9: 10/4 Sat, Meeting Time: we’ll confirm later

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Day 10: 10/5 Sun, Our group event ends today. You can pack up and go home from here, or continue additional journey on your own. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can enjoy the Balloon Fiesta again in the morning before heading to the airport.

<<< Difficulty Level >>>

Our event will be at the AOC D5 difficulty level. The continuous nature of daily outings requires all participants to be physically prepared and trained before taking this trip.

Fitness is even more important in New Mexico's high altitude environment.

<<< How to prepare >>>

We all have to be physically prepared and trained well before taking on such an epic trip. Best physical conditions enable us to take in everything surrounding us and fully enjoy the amazing natural beauty rather than being out of breath and feeling tired every time going uphill. We must do fitness training a couple of times a week for a minimum 6 to 9 months, and also hiking the steepest mountain hills available to us. My favorite is Kennesaw Mt. which is local, beautiful, and very convenient.

<<< How to get there >>>

Take a flight to Albuquerque (ABQ), NM. Delta Airline has direct flight from ATL to ABQ.

<<< How to sign up >>>

This web page is designed so that you can only put yourself on the waiting list. Once you’re verified to be suitable for this trip, you will be moved to the participant list.

<<< How to qualify >>>

Group will be selected by:

History of social compatibility in the AOC group setting

History of participation in the AOC events

You can comfortably finish a Kennesaw 10 hike in 4.5 hours; or personally I know your hiking ability and fitness condition is qualified.

You must have a car/ rental car, or you’ll be disqualified to participate.

The payment of $25 only covers AOC Service Fee. All costs (transportation, lodging, meals & drinks, and etc.) are paid by members on their own.

Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.

Transportation

Everyone is responsible for his/her own transportation the entire trip, i.e. flights and rental cars. Sharing rental car is a commitment to coordinating and staying together the entire trip including flight schedule. Please be thoughtful when making such commitment.

Lodging

We will stay in Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque NM as our home base. VRBO, Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia.com, and Hotels.com are popular sites among many others to compare, search, and book for lodging.

I’ll set up a group chat in WhatsApp for our group conversation once our roster is set. We can use it to facilitate sharing lodging and rental car conversation.

Weather

A non-refundable AOC Service Fee $25 required by AOC.

If you miss the payment date, you will be removed from the list required by AOC.

There is no refund for cancellation.