Taos Ski Valley Climb (35.2 miles out-and-back): An advanced road ride from Arroyo Seco (about 9 miles from the center of Taos) to the top of Taos Ski Valley. With a total elevation gain of 2,300 feet, you’ll deserve a scoop of organic ice cream at the Taos cow in Arroyo Seco, where they serve up unique-to-new-mexico flavors in a quaint setting. The Enchanted Circle (85-mile loop): This classic ride will have you climbing over two passes, topping out at nearly 10,000 feet on Bobcat Pass, and enjoying northern new mexico’s rich landscape over the course of a day. ride out to Black Lake, through Angel fire, and over the Gorge Bridge to make it a complete century. The yearly century ride on this route (September 9) starts in nearby red river.
check Gearing Up Bicycle Shop’s website for group ride of the day. gearingupbikes.com
rafting
Taos Box: class iV (17 miles, full-day trip) Los Rios River Runners offers half-day, full-day, or overnight rafting adventures. 800-544-1181, 575-7768854; losrios riverrunners.com
EASY La Vista Verde Trail (2.5 miles roundtrip): A great route for views of the rio Grande Gorge and the river below. find the trailhead at the north side of nm 567, midway between the Taos Junction Bridge and the Gorge rim. for more mileage, hook up with the West rim Trail. MODERATE Williams Lake Trail (4 miles): The trail begins from the ski village of Taos Ski Valley at 10,191 feet and climbs up to 11,142 feet within a few miles. The steep climb makes it intermediate but otherwise it is easy with great lake views. STRENUOUS Wheeler Peak (16 miles): from Taos Ski Valley Village, park adjacent to Twining campground. At this point you will be at 9,200 feet and will eventually summit above treeline. Begin at the wilderness trail signs and follow Bull of the Woods meadow Trail. When you get to the meadow at about 2 miles, consider stopping for a snack to admire the summer
wildflowers before traversing up to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in new mexico (13,161 feet). elevation gain for the hike: 3,961 feet.
explore more
Hondo-Seco Cruise (25.1-mile loop): An intermediate road ride through the countryside just outside of Taos with gentle climbing along moderate grades. You’ll pass by small, charming towns that reflect northern new mexican character.
The Pilar Racecourse: class ii/iii (5 miles, half-day trip)
hiking
road cycling travel
Blueberry Hill Scramble (17.3-mile loop): An easy cruise around the perimeter of town, meandering near art museums and adobe churches. Tack on more miles by exploring one of the side road options, branching off the loop, for a two-wheeled tour of Taos Pueblo or the rio Grande Gorge.
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, just a 40-minute drive from downtown Taos, is well worth the visit. Hike or mountain bike the recently mapped adjoining trails of BLm and national forest lands, then have lunch at the Artesian restaurant. Take a yoga class, and follow it all up with an all-day spa and soak package. for an extra treat, try the newest spa therapy offering: Ancient echos massage. Or, just enjoy the 10 hot spring pools bubbly with sulphur-free, geothermal mineral waters. 800-222-9162, 505-583-2233; ojospa.com
Wild Earth Llama Adventures guides unique, educational, and fun wilderness llama treks in the Sangre de cristo mountains and the rio Grande Gorge. Great for families and groups. Options include a day hike, overnight pack trip, and 3- or 4-day wilderness adventures. 800-758-5262; llamaadventures.
Nitakuwa Barrett
“Naturalists are all cut from a different cloth, with the common thread being enthusiasm and passion for the natural world,” explains Nitakuwa Barrett, naturalist and expedition leader for American Safari Cruises. With a degree in Biology and Communications, Barret embarked on a seafaring career directly after college as a guest science teacher working for the Maui Ocean Center and onboard day-trip vessels. Eventually she landed a job with American Safari Cruises in 2004 as a steward, worked her way up the ladder to expedition leader and even earned her captain’s license (Masters 100 ton).
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WAM • SUMMER | 2012
WAM: Have you gained new skills to share with guests?
NB: A big part of working on the small vessels is being comfortable in even smaller vessels—kayaks! A female friend of mine is a whitewater guide and scuba instructor, and she taught me how to handle the kayaks, as well as handle people who are kayaking for the first time. The job often allows you to develop outdoor skills and sports, such as swimming and free diving, and standup paddleboarding [Hawaii and Alaska]. I am an avid runner and I believe it’s important to be fit enough to handle emergencies on the trail and in the water. WAM: What have you learned as a naturalist and an adventure guide?
NB: You absolutely never know what surprise nature has in store for you, what you might see or experience that day, and so being in the present as
much as possible is key. To be present while kayaking, skiff riding, snorkeling, hiking takes practice. Often people get focused on the activity itself, rather than what the activity exposes you to. It’s great once it all clicks, when people are absolutely happy to be in nature for nature’s sake. WAM: What advice or tips do you have for women who would like to train as guides? NB: Working with
the public is key. The more you interact with people, the better you understand how they learn, process, and experience new things, so the more prepared you are to guide them in unfamiliar settings. There are many volunteer opportunities! Find out more about American Safari Cruises/InnerSea Discoveries’ other female captains and crew members at innerseadiscoveries.com/crew. n
womensadventuremagazine.com
AmericAn SAfAri cruiSeS
Q & A with expert Naturalist and Expedition Cruise Leader