Taos - American Southwest - page 226

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NM 570. Travel along the river for 6 1 / 4 miles, cross the bridge, and drive to the top of
the ridge. Watch for the trail marker on your right. The U.S. Forest Service office, 208
Cruz Alta Rd. ( & 575/758-6200 ), has excellent trail information. Also look for the Taos
Trails map (created jointly by Carson National Forest, Native Sons Adventures, and Trails
Illustrated) at area bookstores.
Bicycle rentals are available from the Gearing Up Bicycle Shop, 129 Paseo del Pueblo
Sur ( & 575/751-0365; www.gearingupbikes.com); daily rentals run $35 for a mountain
bike with front suspension.

FISHING
In many of New Mexico's waters, fishing is possible year-round, though, due to condi-
tions, many high lakes and streams are fishable only during the warmer months. Overall,
the best fishing is in the spring and fall. Naturally, the Rio Grande is a favorite fishing
spot, but there is also excellent fishing in the streams around Taos. Taoseños favor the Rio
Hondo, Rio Pueblo (near Tres Ritos), Rio Fernando (in Taos Canyon), Pot Creek, and
Rio Chiquito. Rainbow, cutthroat, German brown trout, and kokanee (a freshwater
salmon) are commonly stocked and caught. Pike and catfish have been caught in the Rio
Grande as well. Jiggs, spinners, or woolly worms are recommended as lure, or worms,
corn, or salmon eggs as bait; many experienced anglers prefer fly-fishing.
Licenses are required, of course, and are sold, along with tackle, at several Taos
sporting-goods shops. For backcountry guides, try Deep Creek Wilderness Outfitters
and Guides, P.O. Box 721, El Prado, NM 87529 ( & 575/776-8423 or 575/776-5901),
or Taylor Streit Flyfishing Service, 405 Camino de la Placita ( & 575/751-1312; www.
streitflyfishing.com).

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FITNESS FACILITIES
The Taos Spa and Tennis Club, 111 Dona Ana Dr. (across from Sagebrush Inn; & 575/
758-1980; www.taosspa.com), is a fully equipped fitness center that rivals any you'd find
in a big city. It has a variety of cardiovascular machines, bikes, and weight-training
machines, as well as saunas, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, a steam room, and indoor and
outdoor pools. Classes range from yoga to Pilates to water fitness. In addition, it has
tennis and racquetball courts. Therapeutic massage, facials, and physical therapy are
available daily by appointment. Children's programs include a tennis camp and swim-
ming lessons, and babysitting programs are available in the morning and evening. The
spa is open Monday to Friday 4am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday 7am to 8pm. Monthly
memberships are available for individuals and families, as are summer memberships and
punch cards. For visitors, there's a daily rate of $12.
The Northside Health and Fitness Center, at 1307 Paseo del Pueblo Norte ( & 575/
751-1242 ), is also a full-service facility, featuring top-of-the-line Cybex equipment, free
weights, and cardiovascular equipment. Aerobics classes are scheduled daily (Jazzercise
classes weekly), and there are indoor/outdoor pools and four tennis courts, as well as
children's and seniors' programs. Open weekdays 6am to 9pm, weekends 8am to 8pm.
The daily visitors' rate is $11. Also of note, with classes daily, is Taos Pilates Studio,
1103 Paseo del Pueblo Norte ( & 575/758-7604; www.taospilates.net).
GOLF
Since the summer of 1993, the 18-hole golf course at the Taos Country Club, 54 Golf
Course Dr., Ranchos de Taos ( & 800/758-7375 or 575/758-7300), has been open to
the public. Located on Country Road 110, just 6 miles south of the plaza, it's a first-rate