New Mexico Hikers' Retreat

Gay Men's 6-day Hikers' Retreat in the enchanted high desert of PECOS, New Mexico about 25 miles from Santa Fe. The Alamitos Canyon Retreat Lodge offers moderate to strenuous optional daily hikes, optional group wellness (meditation, yoga, council circles), and a final excursion at the rejuvenating Ojo Caliente Hot Springs. This is a suggested $850 lodge / $425 tenting accommodation DONATION based retreat for gay men that includes accommodation, food, hiking and community gatherings.

Itinerary :: August 8 - 15, 2026 

Day 0 – Saturday, August 8, Self-arranged TRAVEL DAY 

Suggested arrival at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). 

Rent an AWD vehicle (recommended: AVIS Jeep Wrangler) at ABQ. Best to arrange carpool.  

Other arrangements by leader can be arranged in advance. 

Book accommodation overnight in Santa Fe or Albuquerque. 

Day 1 – Sunday, August 9, Arrival Day to Lodge 

Group meets at 8am at Pecos National Historical Park for a guided 1–2 hour walking tour. 

Brunch at Frankie's at the Casanova ($10–$20, vegetarian/local specialties) 

Optional afternoon hike: Cave Creek Trail (5.6mi round-trip, moderate, altitude: 8,400–9,700ft — pack water, 2 sources of light and water sandals for caving). 

Caravan together up the mountain to Alamitos Canyon Retreat Lodge (~40min, scenic route). 

Prepared welcome dinner and arrival orientation. Settle in, learn about the land, self/group care, & daily rhythm. 

Group daily wellness options: meditation, sunset yoga, men’s council gathering nightly. 

Day 2 – Monday, August 10, Lodge Day 

Optional morning and evening hikes in Alamitos Canyon in Santa Fe National Forest & Pecos Wilderness (3–4 hours, moderate to strenuous).  

Self-serve breakfast, light lunch, dinner at lodge. 

Group daily wellness options: meditation, sunset yoga, men’s council gathering nightly. 

Day 3 - Tuesday, August 11, Excursion Day 

Early departure for a strenuous hike up Lake Katherine via Winsor Trail in Santa Fe National Forest & Pecos Wilderness (14.1mi round-trip, significant elevation gain, strenuous; see alpine lake beneath Santa Fe Baldy).  

*See packing list below. 

Chef prepared early self-serve breakfast & self-prepared trail snacks/lunch. 

Prepared dinner at Lodge on return. 

Group daily wellness options: meditation, sunset yoga, men’s council gathering nightly. 

Day 4 – Wednesday, August 12, Lodge Day 

Optional morning and evening hikes in Alamitos Canyon in Santa Fe National Forest & Pecos Wilderness (3–4 hours, moderate to strenuous). 

Self-serve breakfast, light lunch, dinner at lodge. 

Group wellness options: meditation, sunset yoga, men’s council gathering nightly. 

Day 5 – Thursday, August 13, Lodge Day 

Optional morning and evening hikes in Alamitos Canyon in Santa Fe National Forest & Pecos Wilderness (3–4 hours, moderate to strenuous). 

Self-serve breakfast, light lunch, dinner at lodge. 

Group wellness options: meditation, sunset yoga, men’s council gathering nightly. 

Day 6– Friday, August 14, Lodge Day 

Optional morning and evening hikes in Alamitos Canyon in Santa Fe National Forest & Pecos Wilderness (3–4 hours, moderate to strenuous). 

Self-serve breakfast, light lunch, dinner at lodge. 

Group wellness options: meditation, sunset yoga, men’s council gathering nightly. 

Day 7 – Saturday, August 15, FINAL DAY 

Excursion Day OJO CALIENTA HOT SPRINGS 

Pack-up & departure from Lodge, drive 2 hours to Ojo Caliente Hot Springs, Ojo Caliente, NM. 

Sunrise Men’s Gathering Closing Council 

Day passes for Hot Springs ($45–$65/person), Pre-book overnight accommodations & spa treatments ($89+) ASAP. 

Restaurant and on-site spa are out-of-pocket expenses. 

Meals 

Breakfast (self-serve), light or packed lunch, and chef-prepared dinner included in retreat donation. 

New Mexican cuisine, vegetarian and meat options. 

Accommodations and Offerings 

Tenting Accomadation available as of March 1, 2026. Bring your own tent, etc.

Indoor accomadation SOLD-OUT. Outdoor hot shower and outhouse for campers. During inclement weather, indoor facilities available for use.

Off-grid, solar, rainwater catchment systems, over 150 acres of mountain ridge and canyon forest wilderness bordered by Santa Fe National Forest & Pecos Wilderness 

Natural spaces for yoga, meditation, and relaxation. 

Lodging and all on-site meals/activities included. 

Donation-based rate will cover Food and Facilities cost. 

Dining Out & Excursion Expenses 

Brunch at Frankie's at the Casanova: $10–$20/person. 

Ojo Caliente Hot Springs entry: $45–$65/person. 

Excursion meals and Ojo expenses are NOT included in retreat donation. 

High Altitude Health 

Pecos area and planned hikes reach 8,400–12,000ft. 

Hydrate often, pace yourself, minimize alcohol/caffeine, snack regularly. 

OTC altitude medication recommended for sensitive participants (consult your doctor). 

Links & Resources 

Retreat Lodge photo album 

Pecos National Historical Park 

Cave Creek Trail 

Lake Katherine hiking 

Ojo Calienta Spa 

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot 

Gary Osborne & Case Erikson, co-group leaders will be available for any questions regarding details of the trip or any interest - specific logistics of the trip, travel suggestions, packing lists, meal menu and room/camping accommodations. Please reach out to (AlamitosCanyon (at) pm.me) or 917-861-3014. 

Packing List for Hiking: 

For a 10?hour day hike with a possible unplanned overnight aim for a robust “day?plus” kit in about a 28–35 L pack, big enough for essentials plus a very light sleep system and extra layers. 

2-3L Carry in water (water on trail too), food, insulation, and a compact emergency bivy or quilt. Load plan: full?day food plus extra, warm layers, rain gear, compact sleep/emergency kit, basic first aid/repair. 

Carry: 

• Lightweight fleece or grid midlayer. 

• Light puffy jacket (synthetic or down) for evening / emergency overnight.  

• Waterproof breathable rain jacket; optional light rain pants, especially in monsoon season. 

• Thin gloves and a warm beanie; these matter if you get stuck out overnight in 30–40 °F temps. 

• Extra dry socks in a zip bag. 

Navigation and comms 

• Phone with downloaded maps (Gaia/AllTrails/etc.) and offline topo; paper map and small baseplate compass as backup. 

• Headlamp with fresh batteries (and a tiny backup key?light if you like). 

• Whistle 

Hydration 

• 2–3 L total capacity (bladder plus bottles)  

• Electrolyte tablets or powder for altitude and heat.  

• Small water filter or treatment drops/tablets (Sawyer, etc.) so you can safely use streams. 

Fire and tools 

• 1–2 mini lighters in a waterproof bag. 

• Small multi?tool or locking knife. 

The idea is to survive an unplanned bivy, not to be fully comfortable. 

• Ultralight emergency bivy or space blanket (SOL?type), or very compact quilt if you have one. A large contractor trash bag is an inexpensive option in a pinch. 

• Thin, short closed?cell foam pad section (torso length) strapped outside the pack, mainly for ground insulation. 

• Extra warm layer: either heavier puffy or an additional fleece if you tend to run cold. 

• Spare base?layer top and underwear in a dry bag so you can get out of sweaty clothes before sleeping. 

Cell reception is good, Starlink Wifi :: ask that use of cell phones and digital tech are used for tools on trail and if used on property, used in private to maintain immersion in natural environment and fellowship of participants.