25-May-2009 -- This Confluence Point is relatively easy to get to. It’s located about .25 miles north of highway 76 just outside of Espanola. I parked my vehicle in the Arroyo Quarteles just west of the CP and headed north up the arroyo for .25 miles until I reached 36N latitude then turned right and hiked for .5 miles until I reached the CP. It took about 45 minutes of leisurely walking to reach the CP.

The area is rolling hills that are fairly close together. I had to cross over one ridge, drop down a small valley, then go back up another ridge. The CP was located on a hillside about 20 feet down from the top of the ridge. All photos were taken from the top of the ridge just to afford a view from all 4 cardinal points. The view to the east shows the Sangre De Cristo Mountain range and to the west, the Jemez Mountains toward Los Alamos. The vegetation is typical high plains desert with scrub brush and rocky soil and plenty of low lying cactus. The weather was typical NM perfect, warm temperature, sunny deep blue skies and puffy fair weather clouds.

I didn’t see any wildlife but I’m not surprised because the whole area is used by ATV’s and 4 wheel drive vehicles. There are many trails coming off the arroyo and heading into the surrounding hills. It would be a fun place for a dirt bike. It’s too bad the arroyo is littered here and there with plastic and metal from discarded household items.