The Window Rock formation on the Española Ranger District. Courtesy/USDA Forest Service

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) and El Centro Family Health Clinics are sponsoring a hike Saturday, Nov. 18, on the Window Rock Trail, as part of a health initiative called Forest Your Health. 

Forest Your Health promotes healthy habits by encouraging community members in the Española area to hike, mountain bike and ride horses along area trails. The biannual Window Rock hike is an 8-mile roundtrip trek to one of New Mexico’s largest rock spans, a “window” weathered out of an igneous rock wall. On the way, participants will pick up trash and post signs along the trail. 

The hike will begin at 11 a.m. at the trailhead north of Española on the road to Abiquiu, and the day will end at 5 p.m. after sharing hot dogs and s’mores over a campfire. Recommended attire for the day is long pants, hiking boots and leather gloves. Participants should bring a backpack with a sack lunch, at least three liters of water, a shade hat and sunscreen. 

The Forest Your Health program is revitalizing a part of the forest that was once known primarily as an illegal dump site. Throughout the year, the SFNF and El Centro Family Health Clinics host clean-up days for El Centro employees and local junior and senior high school students. 

For additional information about the Window Rock hike, contact Española District Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Sublett at jasublett@fs.fed.us or 505.753.7331.