Elephant Butte Lake - Hike and Hot Spring

Hi Blog!

After a quick trip to Philadelphia to visit family and cast our votes, we've left Albuquerque and headed south. California here we come! But first, we have a few stops to make along the way. Yesterday, we landed in Elephant Butte, a small town next to Truth of Consequences along the Rio Grand River in New Mexico.

On Saturday, November 10, 2018, we drove over to the trailhead for the West Lakeshore Trail in Elephant Butte Lake State Park. The park surrounds the Elephant Butte Reservoir. This reservoir is the 84th largest man-made lake in the United States, and the largest in New Mexico by total surface area and peak volume. 

The name "Elephant Butte" refers to a volcanic core similar to Devils Tower in Wyoming. It is now an island in the lake. The butte was said to have the shape of an elephant lying on its side. Perhaps we are just not seeing it from the correct angle.

The Lakeshore Trail is over 15 miles one way. Our plan was to hike a couple miles along the lake, have lunch and then return in time for our 3:00 p.m. appointment at Riverbend Hot Springs. We soon discovered that the Lakeshore Trail is actually almost a mile from the actual shore. Over the years, the lake level has drop significantly. We decided to leave the trail and head down a wash toward the actual shore.

The torrents of rain that come speeding down the wash cut steep banks in what was once the sandy lake bottom.

Once upon a time, a buoy marked the entrance to a boat ramp. Now it stands idly waiting to rise again.

The grass takes hold in the sand forcing the water to find its own course.

As the lake level lowers, the trees and bushes once buried begin to surface.

Elephant Butte Lake is a birding hot spot. The lake hosts the largest concentration of wintering grebes in the state - somewhere between 6,000 and 15,000. We also saw white pelicans and lots of shore birds. We weren't able to get any good photos, as they were further out in the lake. However, we did spot this blue heron close to shore.

We worked our way around the lake shore until we reached the marina at Rock Canyon. We decided to have lunch and watch the boats come and go.

Rock Canyon Marina is actually two marinas. Sailboats and houseboats seem to be the most popular boats on the lake.

After lunch, we followed Marina Road back up to the Lakeshore Trail. Dave is king of the mountain.

Our trail parallels Lakeshore Road. While large culverts were placed under the road, it appears as if the water is finding a way under the culvert.

Our reward for hiking six miles:  an hour long soak in a private hot tub on the banks of the Rio Grande.

Long considered sacred by the Apache and Mimbres tribes of southern New Mexico, the natural, mineral rich water of Riverbend Hot Springs has been relaxing and rejuvenating warriors and peace-seekers alike, for centuries. 

Time to sit back and take in the view of Turtleback Mountain and the Rio Grande River.

This road warrior was ready for a little relaxation.

Our next stop is City of Rocks State Park. Stay tuned for a little rockhounding.