Ghost Ranch continues its commitment to caring for its trails with the award of a second Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant through the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division, supporting the next phase of a multi-year effort to create safer and more sustainable pathways through this remarkable landscape. Building on the progress of the first grant-funded phase, which focused on improvements to the Chimney Rock and Matrimonial Mesa Trails, this next stage turns its focus to the Kitchen Mesa Trail.
One of Ghost Ranch’s more popular hikes, Kitchen Mesa, draws people in with its expansive views and a sense of wonder found throughout the surrounding landscape. Years of erosion and steep grades have made portions of the trail increasingly difficult to navigate. This project reroutes sections of the trail to improve safety while protecting the fragile soils and watersheds that make this landscape so unique.
“I don’t consider myself an artistic person,” said Laura Hand, Outdoor Adventure Manager at Ghost Ranch. “But I do think of these trails as my creative medium, building trails that inspire us to slow down and enjoy the little moments within these big landscapes.” Laura’s approach to this project can be seen in the winding trail she has designed, following the natural flow of the land and preserving small landmarks along the way.
The project continues to build on our partnership with Carson National Forest and brings together the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors, Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, AmeriCorps volunteers, and for this second grant award, new partner Outslope Trail Solutions. Together, these partners apply sustainable trail-building practices that strengthen the land and create a better experience for everyone who walks these trails.
This second Outdoor Recreation Trails+ grant keeps the work moving forward, one trail marker at a time. As improvements continue on the Kitchen Mesa Trail, Ghost Ranch remains committed to caring for the trails and landscapes that connect people with this extraordinary place and help sustain it for generations to come.
“…I do think of these trails as my creative medium, building trails that inspire us to slow down and enjoy the little moments within these big landscapes.”
Laura Hand, Outdoor Adventure Manager
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