Bear Canyon

The USAC Northrop A-17 Crash Site Medallion Tree, #14, is a bit tricky to get to for a couple of reasons. The first is that the only reasonable route to get to the medallion tree involves crossing private land owned by the Albuquerque Academy (see map). All is not lost, however, because if you send an email to Albuquerque Academy employee Sarah Councell (sarahcouncell@aa.edu), she might give you permission to hike across their property. The second issue is that the medallion tree is located up in Bear Canyon far from any established trail and involves quite a bit of off-trail hiking in a remote wilderness area. Getting lost is a significant hazard and excellent navigational skills are required to successfully complete this hike. Start at the Michael Emery Trailhead and head east on trail to the gravel road that goes up to the Academy house near the mouth of Bear Canyon. A few hundred feet past the house take the right fork in the trail to avoid some cliffs in the canyon bottom. The right fork soon drops down into the canyon bottom past the cliffs. The trail is very well established for awhile but gradually becomes less distinct as you progress to the east. A couple of miles from the Academy house you have to leave the canyon bottom to the north to avoid a second cliff in the stream bed. After this the trail disappears and you have to bushwhack up the canyon bottom and finally up a hillside to the crash site and the medallion tree. The bushwhacking is not too hideous and actually quite enjoyable. Bear Canyon is a beautiful area with lots of tall pine trees that provide lots of shade. A great hike, if you can avoid getting lost. Additional information about Sandia Tree Medallions is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZMlBXP7YR4QpazLxvehD02jrVZ5w_N6roo9Cf_OzDgA/edit?usp=sharing

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