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.
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.
Carlito Springs Open Space is located on the southeast face of the Sandia Mountains near the village of Tijeras. It encompasses 179 acres and ranges in elevation from 6,300 feet to 7,000 feet. It borders the Cibola National Forest to the north and northwest and private property on all other sides.
Carlito Springs is named for the spring that flows from exposed bedrock in the north-central portion of the property. This spring once provided water to a residence and several cabins and continues to feed several ponds and a lush riparian environment that nourishes ornamental gardens and an orchard. This spring water also provide critical habitat for many species of birds and animals, including black bear, mountain lion, badger and mule deer.
Please do not attempt to "bushwhack" to the cache! Stick to the trail, and you can't go wrong. Waypoints have been added to lead you past the springs -- the suggested route. The trail is a loop, so you can also head up to the right at WPT1. In either case, suggest that you make it a "loop" hike to get the most enjoyment out of this scenic and historic area. Happy caching.