The Proposed Caja del Rio Trail Head and Trails Project

by Deirdre C. Monroe
This is in response to a Forest Service request for comments on the proposed Caja del Rio trail head and trails project.

As one of the early participants in and proponents of the Caja del Rio grant proposal, I am most certainly in favor of appropriate recreational improvements in the Caja del Rio.

The area has a long history of grazing use, and there are numerous grazing improvements in the form of wells and water tanks, fences and corrals. Currently the area is receiving increased recreation use and visitation, but other than old existing trails and ranch roads there are no recreational developments whatsoever. Easy access and close proximity to the city of Santa Fe, but at the same time a lack of recreational facilities, have resulted in many less than desirable activities becoming common.

The Caja project objectives are to enhance public safety and recreational opportunities in an extensive area of the National Forest close to Santa Fe. Presently, the Caja is in danger of continued resource damage resulting from illegal and unwanted activities such as dumping, vandalism, and illegal shooting that creates a real safety hazard for both stock and recreational users. It is expected that over time the increased legitimate, legal recreation use will displace and replace the unwanted destructive behaviors. The project is also designed to preserve traditional grazing activities.

I, as an equestrian, believe that we are natural partners with our grazing friends and that by working together, can partner to protect and preserve this beautiful area. We are working closely with the grazing association to discuss use issues, to plan gates and the location of trail head structures, to discuss how we can work together in ways that directly benefit both interest groups. Good metal gates will replace barbed wire in ten locations. Good sanitary facilities will replace piñon trees. A shade ramada and fire pit will encourage day use. A kiosk and signage will start educating the public on the many riding, hiking, and biking trails that have been known to only a few. Gravel parking will help prevent the damage caused by vehicle access.

It should be clearly said that this project is not intended to interfere or predetermine any aspect of the Forest Service’s land use planning for the Caja del Rio. The Headquarters Well area is already heavily used and this project will simply stabilize and improve a de facto trailhead which would serve both motorized and non-motorized uses. Most users will enter the Caja from the Headquarters Well area and use this as a jumping off spot for the backcountry. The Forest Service is well into the planning efforts needed to implement the new Travel Management Rule, which will require the agency to identify which forms of motorized travel will be allowed on particular roads and trails in the National Forest, so the precise nature of sharing is yet to be determined.

The proposal includes trail work in three phases. The initial focus is on high priority, shorter-term actions near the Caja del Rio entrance at FR24 to establish a proper trailhead and reverse existing damage.

  • Phase I actions are intended to improve the Headquarters Well area, the primary Caja access. This would add sanitary facilities, a defined gravel/base course parking area, a shade ramada with picnic facilities, gates for the corrals, and a trailhead kiosk with a map and educational/interpretive messages. Phase I actions would discourage illegal target practice and clean up dumping.
  • Phase II actions target trail marking and gates in other areas (especially the 1100 Well and 700 Well areas) and include trail work on the Soda Springs trail. Trail markers will help keep recreational users safe, and alert trail users to approved uses of the trails. Proper gates will help the grazing association and help ensure recreational users open and close gates properly.
  • Phase III actions are TBD and not part of this proposal.

So, the highest priority is indeed trail head work, but work to address trails issues should be started as funding and volunteer resources allow. Along these lines, I would like to provide comments on the Soda Springs and Diablo Canyon trails based on riding and hiking these trails in the Fall of 2007.

Soda Springs Trail Assessment

The trail is currently passable but needs improve­ment for the average rider and to improve stability. This is a key trail in the Caja as it provides the only horse-passable access to the Rio Grande in the northern Caja, could be part of the Governor’s Rio Grande Trail project, and would provide a regional link to trails proposed to originate at the Pojoaque High School. Soda Springs trail work can be done to significantly improve this link to the Rio Grande. However, the short term priority should be trailhead work. Volunteer work could be done to improve the uncleared top section and to possibly re-establish the old, more sustainable switchback.

Diablo Canyon Trail Assessment

This old pack and cattle trail has degraded substantially and is currently not safe for horses. It is a valuable route for hikers and could become another access trail from the Buckman Road area to the top of Sagebrush Flats. This would not only provide a loop trail for hikers and riders from Diablo Canyon to Soda Springs, the Rio Grande, and Buckman, but is another point of connection to the Santa Fe County-proposed trail originating from Pojoaque High School. Given its state of disrepair, with steep, washed out switchbacks and sections of large rocks, this trail needs a more through assessment. In this steep part of the canyon, very few routes through the upper basalt cap exist and this should not be abandoned as a potentially viable and valuable part of the Caja trail system as it is one of the most beautiful areas of the Caja.

This grant should go ahead with trailhead work, but we can and should also do the trail work in outlying areas. As stated above, these Caja trails are an important part of the Governor’s proposed Rio Grande Trail and can provide a direct link between the Rio Grande and other existing trails in the Caja.

Much volunteer work has already been done on this area, and will continue. Equestrians encourage appropriate multi-use and I feel strongly that we can only preserve this area by an appropriate balance between multiple, legitimate users. As an example, two weeks ago I led a ride that included a mountain bike, horses, a dog, adults and a junior rider. In summary, I am very much in support of this work and would like it to continue into the future with additional grants to establish the Caja del Rio as one of Santa Fe’s premier “places-to-go” for recreational trails.