With all the forest closures in New Mexico this summer, I have been forced to travel a bit to get in some of my long runs on new trails. Probably a blessing in disguise, because I've found there are many awesome areas for trail running in NM!
On June 29th I headed out to Mt Taylor, just outside of Grants, NM to check out some of the trails used for the Mt Taylor 50k. I was surprised at the rugged terrain and high altitude available. The trails were mostly empty of people, but wildlife was everywhere. I saw elk, deer, turkeys and lots of evidence of a healthy bear population as well.
Mt Taylor run details on Strava
Here are some pictures from my run.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPKgzWcgbLVycMWOkwY1eqIawe6PoUUzFhA7sVVg8GHmnotY4RW6DcsGPCmU1XCXconH2rgWfp1icNkTRxPyfa3Li3wtYzULRTwrfolGa7nKuW45rg9S8RD8mKpPhgxd1s1PaQMAsReTQ/s640/IMG_1421.JPG) |
Near the start of Gooseberry Trail |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxMQQshHtlr_9iQoujorOqeQPXPsd1U7HlHFMn_cWaVjTsg22_j4oKSoxo_sVYvlXeyvUgW4BFVL_2DcPijI_sqZo6uYyBLrCgAKrREO3AAnA54GkY5hSVodJj7ppKTAegTcCe0Dv6S7z/s640/IMG_1422.JPG) |
First views of the Mt Taylor along Gooseberry trail |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JnLjEJFbXTUAhsqD9E3a18RN7ugNSJh7luCRR_mUv3-jA-RtrZDNDb4wXat79cYo4N4eKUS3Xt7Rhj3b6hsCI9sHT-l6EYEWxSjBBj7Ynb7y1UoEyWPlnJtHCWmIxDuU9GtNzzeH9N3A/s640/IMG_1424.JPG) |
The final big switchbacks along Gooseberry trail |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42lAdX7YnVOQiF0UI83v8Zi5nVzVxjpBUcMoO1mPNpfJo_gzM8Thq36i-92ZiqosFhhrR1xAwh84P2ZXB1WUEBmYMWK27utVIEHOS8UzUNoT7rudVwltNzrkliAtSmP80y4mulV3M36mf/s640/IMG_1431.JPG) |
Summit shot |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKlP2Y7s3u2kSEBGpEWqqo14vUePuWiYwyGtOpyb_9O8rkFpEn4ASzVAjnbe8INZCwE6MTyRs7Gs4H1y7qdpxEEhB8KNbvm_EanVB4W0RItBgxhyTGZq4SzVLsuZv10bGyNFBLjyQG-nk/s640/IMG_1432.JPG) |
Heading north off the summit, towards La Mosca fire lookout |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N4PTSITRiiaYg42xLu99FhyphenhyphenjI_Zh28-FqOYxVaRIE5_aRBXesQ_mxspQ0lF3OOi2MC0Aen4tWRLfC6DyjCF0EpPye653abLvUjCtDztJEmvaf63l2Y2VSjGNTil_XzkhQAMMncd7ib3e/s640/IMG_1434.JPG) |
Heading down the jeep road into Water Canyon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcSvmWV_zW5GA-BgCN59lmWIGprw3M1j-7tae2AIGu2noVfKePqY_PdTyoE1XeYeJPoLhQWe-8Wf1Gx9vIFLuSTiw45TvF8Ft7mi3cRhuwPg5Qi8MTlXuHqkPBImufNoyzwyBuMXRmG70/s640/IMG_1436.JPG) |
Looking up at La Mosca lookout from Water Canyon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLBcuCHhNi-bL2rh2fc49xAIvDVTqqXu1dkH3-1jhFSVY7OBDtCZ6MgOpeio8Xy4TZZmLdFYn0xScprEj1gUBjwJ5OMV8nKRBwxdp1VygHFBeg27DnR7rlxZAw31LBPk8iP92FZdvKyTk/s640/IMG_1440.JPG) |
End of jeep road, start of Water Canyon trail |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol8CukWhypxQEwBv-lMMZAzCD1s7w_-PC0zxQB_wLXmtQLlKuqkqoI1S1UXeIkhiV7-eLS0H1XXb55a-0dISNJKec24Phf-66s0-X7wOge0Nhw2o6ALMqRHRcP-tj4tZRDH5Kil60DuV1/s640/IMG_1441.JPG) |
View down into Water Canyon during climb to La Mosca saddle |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJlhNj1WXrrmgKimBnR8V-ovrs-DBdEc5y8HG-Ja7ruhpEHOQZmOGDAj7n5JQKclXj4A3MyLiwwelUxC7e9P6x21o7xBoDwLM1Icfx9xEWFjVhzL8Py8TPwQQBDFIAYpMJDQ-J6lRnAB-/s640/IMG_1444.JPG) |
Looking across saddle to Mt Taylor from La Mosca lookout |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7r-n8-f277Usc0016yEBa_HvzAOLXX6nr2n2TxdxtxVpTsSWYXJ1RwRVO8TlEf5vxUer8CRH0Gpscx9MitRoX8P31onYxeqzzqIKlOV_1qfHF-LDZ3HlSkaAg-gTtOoCNuJbYA-FU67G/s640/IMG_1445.JPG) |
Lots of flowers along ridgeline road, east of La Mosca lookout |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKjNp1FYxOJdkH3vqYEyVAbHtsKnQIEuw_-pS0LPmcA0IEeDBTqtrP-gDhVkbecmaWTz6f5YZcgWJyKY8zHUPPdkfOgDTA8I0HzkDObscMjoOCC1pxh2KW15biqAEs51JIMJ2NFwvdYIt/s640/IMG_1448.JPG) |
View down Water Canyon during climb back up to Mt Taylor |
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