Description:
This trail is somewhat isolated, remote and little used.
Not all junctions are well signed and the trail can be hard
to follow. At the point where the Borrego
Trail 150 crosses the Rito Gallina Trail 228, there is
an option of traveling east, farther into the Pecos Wilderness,
or west out of the Wilderness. The section of the Rito Gallina
Trail to the west that climbs out of the wilderness soon turns
into an old jeep road. This old roaded section connects with
another old roaded section of the Sierra Mosca Trail 156,
west of the Pecos Wilderness and continues off towards a private
land grant.
However, turning east onto the Rito Gallina Trail will take
one deeper into the heart of the western Pecos. As the trail
climbs up a low ridge and continues east above the Agua Sarca
River you soon come upon the old Agua Sarca cabin. Beyond
this cabin the trail diminishes, and finding and following
the trail becomes much more challenging. Generally the trail
continues east up the Agua Sarca drainage. When the terrain
becomes considerably steeper, the trail will swing to the
north, contrary to what is shown on some maps, and follow
a ridge to the north of the drainage. The trail soon swings
south again and intersects one of several springs marking
the headwaters of the Agua Sarca River.
From here the trail switchbacks up the slope to a flat grassy
mesa just southwest of Cienega Redonda. The trail is easily
lost here, but if the visitor follows the ridge to the north
and drops down slightly to the west, the open meadow of Cienega
Redonda will be encountered. A trail sign marks the intersection
of Trail 6 and the continuation of Trail 228. An old cabin
can be seen just below the trail sign. Trail 228 continues
to the northeast and skirts the side of Sierra Mosca, one
of the highest timbered peaks in the Pecos. Passing the junction
with Rio Molino Trail 227, the Rito Gallina Trail continues
around the side of the mountain, and then heads north again
and drops down to a grassy saddle. From here the trail crosses
several grassy meadows where the trail tread may be difficult
to find and follow. The trail finally emerges on the flat
grassy mesa of Cienega Pajarito and terminates at the junction
with Sierra Mosca Trail 156, with fine views opening up in
all directions.
|
