East Mountain Trails & Bikeways Master Plan - Bernalillo County

3. Soils
The soils in the area fall into approximately two
categories:
1. Rock outcrops and rocky soils such as those
in the Borolls, Escabosa, Kolob, La Porte,
Pino, and Rock Outcrop series, which are
typically found in the mountainous areas.
2. Alluvial soils such as those in the Bluepoint,
Brazito, Burnac, Carlito, Embudo, Gila,
Kolob, La Fonda, Salas, Sandia, Scholle,
Seis, Silver, Tesajo, Tijeras and Wink series,
which are typically found on the mesa, high
plains and riparian areas. High clay content
soils such as those in the Bluepoint series
and rock content soils such as those in the
Borolls, La Porte, Kolob, and Rock Outcrop
series present challenges to trail construction
for most users. Rock outcrop areas with little
or no vegetation are preferable for off-road
vehicle (Jeep) users.
Figure 4 shows areas with soils that will not
readily support trails in red, Category 1, and
areas with moderate challenges to trail
construction in orange, Category 2, and areas
with no limitation for trails in blue, Category 3.
4. Hydrology
The Project Area has a number of
arroyos, which have cut beautiful
canyons. The most notable of these are
the Tijeras Arroyo, the San Antonio
Arroyo, San Pedro Creek, and the Otero
Canyon Arroyo. Some of the arroyos
have sources in springs such as Carlito
Springs, Ojito and Tres Pistolas. These
hydrologic features are perennial during
an average year. The arroyos are
wettest during the spring runoff and
summer monsoon months, when they
are deluged by flash flooding in the
aftermath of powerful thunderstorms.
The arroyos are rich habitat areas and
function as key wildlife corridors from the
mountain and upland areas to the
riparian and bottomland areas. The arroyos also
often provided the route for early trails and cart
paths. Because of the hydrologic and ecological
functions of the arroyos, trails in arroyo bottom
areas should be moved to outside the riparian
zone. Springs and views of arroyos are important
potential destination points and interpretive areas
for a trail system. The map in Figure 5 identifies
important arroyos and creeks. Figure 5 also
shows major vegetation communities.
5. Vegetation
The vegetation is typical of mountainous regions
in New Mexico. There is a gradient of vegetation
communities that correspond to elevation and
proximity to arroyos (Figure 3). Mountain top
areas have the greatest precipitation and can
support spruce-fir communities. The dry mesa
and high plains areas support junipers and
grasses. In between there is a range of
evergreen communities from Ponderosa Pine to
Piñon-Juniper. Riparian areas support
hydrophytic plants of the willow-cottonwood
community. Some washes support conifer
populations at lower elevations.
Figure 3. New Mexico Vegetation Zones
(from W. Dunmire and G. Tierney 1995. Wild Plants of the Pueblo Province. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico
Press)
EAST MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND BIKEWAYS MASTER PLAN Page 17