XC Ski & Snowshoe Plan A, B & C

Glitch in software seems to want to put wrong day - So we are doing TUESDAY 12/23 & WEDNESDAY 12/24. PENDING SNOW COULD CHANGE OUR PLANS - My cell # is 453-2310 - keep it!! Jackie & I will likely go in the Sandias Tues., either driving or via the tram. Since I've heard from 2 people that can go Wed., I'll also go then & come home by dark. Meet at the Whole Foods, Academy & San Mateo, parking on the south edge of the lot at 9:30am. We'll take off promptly at 9:45 for one of two possible destinations, depending on reports of where the snow is better and what the weather looks like (be prepared for change of plans). Each is about 80-90 miles, so riders please compensate drivers about 10 cents a mile for gas. PLAN A: Coyote Call Trail, high in the Jemez, roadside parking at the Valles Caldera Preserve, give or take 9 miles beyond the La Cueva turnoff (heading for Los Alamos, but before you get to Bandelier). It's a 3.5 mile loop with breathtaking views of the Valles Caldera across the road, perfect for snowshoeing, a bit more of a challenge for xc skiing, mainly due to one fairly steep downhill. Most of it is either a gradual climb or level/rolling wide forest path, aspen & pine. PLAN B: If snow is deemed too mushy in Jemez, we'll head to Santa Fe, to Aspen Vista, at 10K feet, a few miles below the Santa Fe downhill ski basin. Aspen Vista is a wide and popular trail, a gradual climb in, then downhill back. I will probably ski a total of about 5 miles. The further up you go, there are occasional hills requiring herringbone climb up, snowplowing coming back down. PLAN C: Since Tues. has a 50% chance of snow, My daughter works until 6pm Wed. & we can commit to a shorter outing & getting back before dark, if that works for people.