ev·o·lu·tion

Information:

ev•o•lu•tion (ĕv'ə-lū'shən, ē'və-) n. 
1)    A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form. See synonyms at development.
2)    
a)    The process of developing. 
b)    Gradual development.
3)    Biology. 
a)    Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species. 
b)    The historical development of a related group of organisms; phylogeny.
4)    A movement that is part of a set of ordered movements. 
5)    Mathematics. The extraction of a root of a quantity.
[Latin ēvolūtiō, ēvolūtiōn-, from ēvolūtus, past participle of  ēvolvere, to unroll. See evolve.]
evolutional ev'o•lu'tion•al or ev'o•lu'tion•ar'y (-shə-nĕr'ē) adj.
evolutionarily ev'o•lu'tion•ar'i•ly adv.

Directions

From the Santa Fe Plaza drive north on Washington Avenue. Proceed through the intersection with Paseo de Peralta. Turn right at the first light onto Artist Road, which eventually becomes NM Hwy 475. At 7 miles you will see a sign for Black Canyon Campground. Just after the sign turn right into the campground and make an immediate left and park in the lot for the Black Canyon Trailhead.

Clues:

lionsmane63’s Santa Fe Hiking Journal
Entry #
24 May 2007

9:00am Just finished running a couple of errands. Now I am headed to the Black Canyon Campground. This area has been closed for two years – the forest service just opened the campground a few weeks ago.

9:20am I parked and got my backpack. I had to walk from the parking area back to the road into the campground. A little ways up the road it split and I saw a sign that said to keep right. I decided to break the rule and I went left. I followed the road counting down the campsite numbers from the 30’s until I reached #24. The trail head was to the left of the marker for #24 and to the right of the bathrooms.

9:30am So I made it to the trail head. I started up the trail which was a gradual incline, not too bad, just a slow steady climb. After about five or so minutes I arrived at a fork in the trail. A sign stated that this was the Black Canyon Loop and I could go either way. I continued straight ahead. Again a slow, steady climb for the most part. A couple of times I encountered a steeper climb but it wasn’t bad. The trail is nice, making its way through Ponderosa Pines and tall Aspens. Eventually the trail looped around to the left and began a steady upward climb. I arrived at another sign pointing the trail to the left.

9:47am Standing at the sign I spotted an up rooted stump at 105° about ten steps away. I decided to leave a little something called ev•o•lu•tion hidden under the roots on the NE side. It is covered well with sticks and bark with a couple of rocks thrown it to make it look natural. I took a few pictures, sat and relaxed, enjoyed the peace and quiet.

10:10am I returned to the trail and continued on the loop and soon I arrived back at the first sign noting the Black Canyon Loop. I turned right here and made my way back to my car. What a great way to start the day – a nice peaceful hike.

Hike Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet

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Special Note:

I have created maps and lists for boxes in the Santa Fe Area, in the Alphabetical New Mexico Series and a few other areas. You can access all of these by going to Maps and Lists for Santa Fe Area and Alphabetical New Mexico Series. Please be advised that I don’t get to check up on them on a regular basis. So, make sure you look at the clues to see if the box is ACTIVE, UNKNOWN, UNAVAILABLE, or RETIRED.