Ghost Ranch – Plaza Blanca – Multiple Hikes Hike
In Ghost Ranch Region

Map File Source:

Hike Key: H10541
Last Updated: 03/13/2021 12:00am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Fixer
Hike Class: C (Challenging)
Hike Distance: 5.6 mi
Minimum Elevation: 6060 ft
Elevation Change: 960 ft
Total Uphill: 1110 ft
Total Downhill: 1110 ft
Avg. Grade: 9 %
Route Type: Multiple Hikes
On Trail: No
Paved or Gravel Roads: Yes
GPS Advised: Yes
Drive Distance Round Trip: 240 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 2:15
Hiking Seasons: Spring and Fall
New Mexico Game Unit: 51
Hike Status: In Process

Highlights

Multi-hike. See individual hike descriptions.

Cautions

Multi-hike. See individual hike descriptions.

Trailhead Directions

From Albuquerque, take I-25 to Santa Fe, then US 84/285 to Espanola. Continue north on US 84/285 north, staying on US 84 when US 285 splits off about 5 mi from town. Continue about 35 miles through Abiquiu to the gravel road marked for the Ghost Ranch Presbyterian Center. Turn right and drive 1 mi to a road fork; follow the signs left to the office and ask for permission to hike.

To access Plaza Blanca on the return trip see the Plaza Blanca hike description and use the [N TO BLANCA] waypoint to gain access from the north.

Actual Hike

This multiple hike allows the hiker to do either of the following;

(A) Box Canyon: 4.0 miles in & out, climbs from 6,400 to 6,900 ft, rated B, takes 2-3 hrs.
OR
(B) Chimney Rock,/a>: 2.6 miles totals in & out, climbs 6,455-7070 ft, rated C, and takes 1 1/2 to 2 hrs with some steeper rocky hills to climb. The grade is 11%.
AND
Plaza Blanca (located at Abiquiu): 1.6 miles total loop, climbs 6,060-6290 ft, rated B, and takes 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. The grade is 5%.

Comments

As of March 2021, Ghost Ranch is temporarily closed to hiking due to Covid-19.