Bernalillo County Open Space, Open Space Alliance and the Albuquerque geocache community invite residents and visitors to participate in the Burque Birding GeoFlight. The Burque Birding GeoFlight caches have a bird theme in celebration of Albuquerque’s highly esteemed designation as a 2014 featured city for the Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds (UCTMB). Discover what makes Albuquerque a special place for birds, name the common birds and have fun geocaching at some of the County’s most scenic birding sites.
Limited, trackable bird coins are available for cachers who find at least nine out of the twelve geocaches on their GeoFlight (as validated by their completed series Passport). Refer to the below cache images (BBG PASSPORT pg 1, and BBG PASSPORT pg 2) to print and learn how to use your Passport, and to discover additional Burque Birding GeoFlight series information. Once series requirements are met, commemorative coins may be picked up at the City of Albuquerque Open Space Visitors Center (6500 Coors Blvd NW).
Revised CABQ Open Space Visitor Center Hours (as of 08 Jul 21):
Summer Hours (02 Mar - 31 Oct) --
Tue & Wed: 9:00am - 5:00pm; Thu - Sun: 8:30am - 7:00pm; Mon: closed
Winter Hours (01 Nov - 01 Mar) --
Tue - Sat: 9:00am - 5:00pm; Sun & Mon: closed
Each cache contains a question card to assist you in filling out your Passport (inside, on lid). Additionally, each cache contains Bird Identification Cards for you to keep as a memento of your visit to the cache and each unique County birding location. Request each cacher take only one Bird Identification Card at each cache.
To learn more about the Bernalillo County Geocache programs and BernCo Bernie, click here.
The Albuquerque Foothills Open Space consists of approximately 1,500 acres of steeply sloped hills at the base of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness Area (west side of Sandia Mountains.) Elena Gallegos Picnic Area is found within this Open Space area, and consists of seven covered picnic tables and two group reservation picnic areas with grills. There are numerous maintained multi-use trails in the area, including Cottonwood Springs Trail, a wheelchair accessible trail featuring interpretive artwork and a wildlife blind overlooking a wetland.
From the parking lot, take the trail in front of the restrooms east to reach the cache.
Note: There is a parking fee of $1.00 on weekdays and $2.00 on weekends for the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area.