NATURE EXPEDITIONS

Guided hiking, birding, horseback riding, pack trips,
high country field camps and conservation works.

Cimarroncita’s history is filled with high country adventure. The geology of this valley of the Sange de Cristo range of the Southern Rocky Mountains fascinates the expert and intrigues the novice. Nature offers up its spectacular summer show of wildflowers, its wide range of diverse wildlife, and the exhilaration of panoramic views from high mountain meadows. Conservation works and habitat inventories offer a deeper understanding of the nature of nature.

Some believe the best way to experience the Cimarroncita back country is with an invigorating hike, others prefer the classic western trail ride. High in the Southern Rocky Mountains, Cimarroncita's meadows and mountains offer a broad range of terrain diversity and stunning panoramic views. At the end of a day hiking or on horseback the comforts of heritage lodging of Laguna Lodge and Isleta Cabin, delicious meals in Frijoles Dining Hall and the lingering evening campfire make this a classic Rocky Mountain experience.

Neighboring the Boy Scouts of America’s legendary Philmont Scout Ranch which offers the most challenging outdoor adventure to thousands of boy scouts each summer, Cimarroncita offers a personal private taste of the same high country excitement.

HIKING
Cimarroncita has six established hikes, ranging from half-day hikes to overnight explorations of the Cimarroncita wilderness. Each hike is designated as appropriate for novice, intermediate, or expert hikers, including level of difficulty and elevation rise. This selection of hikes offers something for everyone, from a nature walk along the Cimarron River, to rigorous back country hiking.

BIRDING
Cimarroncita is a perfect headquarters for your birding adventure in Northern New Mexico. Our Cimarron River riparian zone and vast back county wilderness have many resident and migratory bird species. In addition, other legendary birding sites, including the Valle Vidal, Moreno Valley, and the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge are within a short drive. Plan for several days, headquarter at Cimarroncita, and enjoy the Birds of Northern New Mexico.

HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDES AND PACK TRIPS
Horseback riding is provided in collaboration with Equestrian Director Nancy Burch of Roadrunner Tours Stables in Angel Fire. The classis Western Trail Ride is extraordinary, the Overnight Pack Trip on horseback is an incredible experience.

RESERVATIONS AND BOOKING
RATES:

Guided nature activity: Per person per day: $250
Children ages 4 to 11: $150

Overnight expedition: Per person per day: $350
Children ages 4 to 11: $250
All-inclusive rates are based on selected nature adventure activities and include lodging, meals from arrival to departure, pre-dinner gatherings, evening campfires, selected activities; gratuities and taxes added at time of reservation.

Submit your reservation inquiry now.

NATURALIST EXPEDITIONS

New Mexico's legendary Cimarroncita offers a classic "roughing it deluxe" adventure travel through nature expeditions from day hikes to a three-day trek into the spectacular high country field camps, to a five-day itinerary including fly fishing on the Dream Water of the Cimarron River and horseback trail ride. Enjoy a classic base camp experience with well-appointed heritage lodging and delicious meals. At the heart of the fabled Cimarron Canyon of northern New Mexico, between Taos and Raton.

THREE-DAY BACK COUNTRY EXPLORATION

The three-day exploration starts with an evening of orientation at Cimarroncita Base Camp, with lodging at Laguna Lodge. The next morning head up into the back country for two days of exploration and an overnight under the stars, returning to Base Camp for a final night at Laguna Lodge before departure after breakfast. Many activities and skills are focused on each trip, from orienteering and tracking, to birding and wildlife inventories combined with conservation projects. Experienced guides provide a safe and enchanting experience in the high country of Cimarroncita’s private wilderness preserve.

CUSTOMIZED FIVE-DAY ITINERARY

This five day exploration itinerary adds more time at Cimarroncita to enjoy fly fishing on the Cimarron in addition to the back country exploration.

DAY ONE
A delightful drive through the fabled Cimarron Canyon,
arriving at Cimarroncita mid afternoon.

Anticipation of arrival at Cimarroncita escalates with your drive into the Cimarron Canyon from the east through Cimarron or from the west through Eagle Nest. The climb from Taos over the Palo Flechado Pass, winding down into and across the broad Moreno Valley and around Eagle Nest Lake is a breathtaking preface to the charms of Cimarroncita located just ahead at the heart of the Cimarron Canyon. The canyon, sculpted by the Cimarron River which flows from the Eagle Nest Dam, is 24 miles of protected land, and includes the Colin Neblett State Wildlife Area, the Cimarron River, the amazing cliff formations of The Palisades and Cimarroncita’s signature view of Baldy Mountain across the valley.

Turning off Highway 64 just east of Ute Park, Cimarroncita beckons you onto this private retreat in the midst of thousands of acres of protected land. On arrival at Cimarorncita you are greeted by hosts whose goals are to provide an experience beyond compare. Your orientation to Cimarroncita takes you first into the historic restored Laguna Lodge, constructed in 1908 as a railway wilderness resort when train travel through the Southwest brought eager tourists to discover the wilderness of the American West. A broad screen porch surrounds Laguna Lodge, your room is cool and quiet, with the comfort of fine bed linens. Frijoles, the historic dining hall constructed with the lodge in 1908, provides dining room service with white linen and fine china, a well-stocked library of books, games, and puzzles. Cimarroncita’s cooks serve up delicious hearty meals. The Kiva and other buildings of the main compound are included in your orientation before the social hour begins at The Trading Post Park, where guests relax in adirondack chairs and early evening cocktails are served al fresco.

Dinner is served in Frijoles, with the fireplace aglow, surrounded by an original 1930s mural which decorates the dining room walls. An after-dinner cigar, a fine cognac, the sounds of nature, the night sky and tall tales are enjoyed around the Trading Post Park campfire after dinner every evening.

DAY TWO
A day on the Cimarron River, sighting vermillion fly catchers and catching trout.

Dawn at Cimarroncita fully aligns with the Hopi notion of five stages of "sunrise": the first stage being the sense of white light on the horizon, turning softly to a brighter yellow light, evolving into a long expanse of first light, which moves into sun’s forehead, and jumps then quickly to “sunrise” as the sun finally pops as if from a toaster over the horizon. Early risers whose nature walks take them down to the River will experience each stage of sunrise, and find as companions other early morning critters, birdsong, and the intoxicating scent of early morning dew on the field sage. The Kiva is open for those whose early morning routine includes yoga or pilates exercise. Hot coffee and warm breakfast pastries are ready in Frijoles for the early risers, a full breakfast is served at 9 when the breakfast bell calls.

The Day on the Cimarron River is to experience the true wonder of the riparian world. Guided fly fishing for the experienced and the novice, with nearly two miles of Dream Water to explore, hike and fish. Birds along the river take perches high above on the upper reaches of old Cottonwoods, singing and announcing the news of the day. A picnic lunch is served at the River Cabin Park at mid day. An evening cowboy campfire dinner is served at the River Cookout site where a lingering campfire under the spectacular night sky tops off a perfect day on the Cimarron River.

DAYS THREE AND FOUR
Hiking the back country, sleeping under the stars.

Setting off after breakfast on Day Three, your Cimarroncita guide presents the vast back country of Cimarroncita as your playground for two days. Your hiking adventure will bring you up close with wildlife including elk and deer, you will track and be tracked, examine fascinating geologic formations, scramble up steep inclines, and cross and re-cross the Cimarroncita creek. You will have lunch on the trail and arrive at the Field Camp late afternoon where you will be greeted by the Field Camp staff, well-outfitted tents holding the promise of a comfortable night in the wilderness, and a well-stocked chuck wagon. A fine campfire dinner is prepared and served, the campfire offers a warm backdrop for lively discussion, as the last embers glow the spectacular New Mexico night sky brightens. The scent of pinon campfire has filled your soul, being in this place of beauty, serenity and joy, at one with untouched nature.

Day Four serves up a rousing campfire breakfast, which starts early with the scent of crackling pine on the fire and camp coffee hot on the grill. The day moves quickly into hiking and exploration, concluding with return to the main Cimarroncita compound in time for evening festivities and dinner served in Frijoles.

DAY FIVE
Last cast on the Cimarron, farewell until next time.

Experience your last morning at Cimarroncita on your own, revisiting your favorite activity, be it a guided "last cast" morning on the Cimarron River, a brisk hike up into the back country wilderness, or a good long visit in Trading Post Park. We’ll pack a picnic lunch for you, and while your late morning departure will get you back to civilization by day’s end, the memory of your Cimarroncita experience will stay with you until you return again.