A Very Windy Grindstone Lake 6k Volksmarch - Friday, April 22, 2022

Because of high wind warnings in Ruidoso, we did not want to do a long walk so we decided on the 6k Grindstone Lake Walk. After a short drive from the RV park, we started walking at 9:40 am. Our instructions wanted us to follow the Fisherman Trail around the lake from one side of the dam to the other. I did not see the Fisherman Trail. (Later, Bob told me he saw it.)

Anyway, I figure fishermen would walk close to the lake to fish, so we walked along the closest trail to the water. The wind was whipping the water on the lake into whitecaps. 

A view of Grindstone Lake from the 
Upper Parking Lot.

Trail map.

There were a lot of informational signs at the start of the trail.

Grindstone Lake looking toward
the dam.

Picnic area overlooking the lake.

You can see how low the water is!

We followed the lakeshore and soon we came to a group of people at a cliff. They were jumping from the cliff into the lake. When Bob grew up in Hawaii that was something he loved to do. He is still jumping off of cliffs and rocks into lakes and rivers to this day. He didn't have his swim trunks or a towel with him, but he was looking longingly at the prospect of jumping into the lake! Maybe he'll go later in the week.

I asked the group where they were 
from and was told, "the Air Force."

This guy looks a little awkward
as he goes into the water!

We continued on around the lake. The wind was whipping dust and dirt into the air all around us.

Sun sparkling
on the lake.

Even with the wind, it was warm
enough to take off my windbreaker.

From Grindstone Lake we had excellent views of Sierra Blanca Peak. At 11,973', the highest point in New Mexico, there are peakbaggers* who want to summit the mountain. 

*peakbagger (n): A mountain climber whose principal goal is the attainment of a summit, or a specific set of summits.  If you would like more information on peakbaggers, read the essay page of peakbagger.com. [For example, there are peakbaggers who want to summit the highest point in each state.]

The summit of Sierra Blanca Peak is on the Mescalero Indian Reservation. One article from summitpost.org states, "Technically, one needs a permit to hike on Indian lands...Or, you can simply just hike the peak and take your chances. Judging by the quantity of names in the Summit Register, I suspect most people do the latter. Use your best judgment." In 2007, one frustrated climber reported that he received a letter from the Mescalero Tribe Council stating climbing is no longer allowed due to the mountain being a sacred site. In 2015, another climber reported that there were dozens of posts in the Summit Register, indicating that people are hiking the summit no matter what. Some hikers/climbers reported seeing "No Trespassing" sign, and others said they did not see any of those signs.

Grindstone Lake and
Sierra Blanca Peak
are behind me.

The front side of the dam.

The back side of the dam.

While we were at the overlook of the dam, Bob spotted three wild horses, including a mare with a foal.

Wild mare with a foal.

When we turned around to head back to the car, we changed to the next trail up the slope instead of staying by the lake. We loved this trail. It was very shaded.

Bob on the trail.

We saw at least two possible streams that feed the lake, but both of them are dry at this time of year.

Probably a stream
during snowmelt
or a storm.

My favorite photo of the day is this one. I love how the sun was shimmering on the lake! As we were walking back to the car, a strong gust of wind blew me two steps toward the lake. Thankfully, we were on a wide, gravel path!! I was shocked that the wind blew so hard it moved me over.

The walk took us an hour but wasn't quite 6k. We did some other walking that afternoon which gave us the rest of our steps.

At 5 pm, we had the first official event of our Ruidoso walking weekend, a Meet 'n' Greet at the hotel where everyone was staying. 

Henri and Eileen are hard at work 
setting up the Meet 'n' Greet social.

The snacks and soft drinks were provided but it was BYOB. We had crackers, cheese, fruit salad, chips, guacamole, and salsa. Bob picked up a bottle of Strawberry-Mango Moscato from the store. The Moscato was a hit. It's a good thing we each got a glass because it disappeared quickly!

It's so much fun to see old friends and meet new ones. We finally met up with Susan Medlin. She has been on a tear across New Mexico to do about seven of their county walks. We apparently won't get a chance to walk with her at this event because we had different walks planned on different days than she did. 

We made new friends with Mike and Pete, brothers who met here for this event. Mike is from Seattle and Pete is from a small town in Wisconsin. Bob hit it off with them immediately and they talked history most of the evening. Mike plans to attend the Olympiad and Texas Trail Roundup in February 2023, so we'll see him again. I became more involved in the conversation when we let Mike know about things to see in San Antonio. It was a great evening.

Mike and Pete.

Thank you to Eileen and Henri of the Sun Country Striders for hosting the event. We are sorry Derrill couldn't be with us. He had been scheduled for surgery, but it was postponed. Our thoughts are with him and we hope he is soon back to walking!