When we last visited John Dunn Bridge Recreation Area, we had seen the sign for the trail to Black Rock Springs. We returned to hike the .3 mile out and back tail. The dirt road to the area is pretty rough in some areas, but we drove it in our Mini Countryman without issue. Located near Arroyo Hondo, NM, the trail descends from the parking area on the opposite side of the bridge in the Rio Grande Gorge.
And, dogs are permitted on the trail. Our sweet girl, Sadie, loved it! She went for a swim in the river as well.
Some parts of the trail are very rocky, so I was glad I had brought my walking stick with me on the hike.
When we arrived at the river, there were several families enjoying the hot springs (although the springs were not too hot). Apparently, the high water level of the river (fed by melting snow from the Great Rockies) had washed out part of the hot spring pools.
The small pool next to the river was where the water was the warmest. A larger pool defined by rocks (on the river) is mostly covered now by the flow of the river.
We stayed about an hour and then hiked back up the gorge. On the way down, we had passed a large cave on a short spur trail. We decided to check it out. Evidence of human use (candles and ashes from a fire) could be seen in both the large cave and a smaller one above it.
With a lovely view of the river and gorge, the cave was a perfect place to enjoy the quiet beauty of the area.
Returning to the car, we retraced our route on the gravel road over the bridge on County Rd B007 to Rte 522 South (to Taos). We stopped briefly at the bridge where we saw many families enjoying the water on this hot day.
The Black Rock Hot Springs trail is rocky and a bit treacherous in some spots, but it is short and rated as moderate. We have found the John Dunn Recreation Area to be one of the most picturesque in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
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