Old Red River Pass, NM

[KaiserM715]

I was in Red River, NM for my vacation and wanted to try a new trail. I had not tried the Old Red River Pass before, so I gave it a shot. This trail was the original route, from the east, into the town of Red River until sometime in the 1960's. Then the paved road was built and the original road is no longer maintained. The trail is pretty slow going, but 4WD is not required. The only time I used it was to get the additional engine braking found with low range. The trail is wide enough for one vehicle on the way up with a couple of spots to pass at the switchbacks. At the top of the pass, going south takes you to 4th of July Canyon (not a solo vehicle proposition) and east continues along the old road. At this point, the trail narrows such that our mirrors don't quite clear in several places. In addition, I encountered several soupy mud puddles (with rock bottoms) that almost come up to the axles. At one point near the end, I came to a fork in the road and decided to follow a group of ATVs and wound up coming out on the private property of a tour operator. I just waved and went on out to the highway (NM 38).

Here are the GPS waypoints for the trail:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1744311

Map location for the beginning of the trail (Forest Access Rd 488)
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=36.69...num=1&t=h&z=16

Map location for the top of the pass:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=36.68...num=1&t=h&z=16

Map location for the end of the trail (Trail 35007)
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=36.70...num=1&t=h&z=16

Showing some of the switch backs:

View from the top of the pass:

You can see a little bit of the town in the center of the pic:

Heading down 35007:

At about 10,000 ft:

One of the mud holes:

 

[Richie]

That looks like fun! I really need to explore other roads in the Red River area rather than just going to Goose Lake every time I'm in the area. Were you at Goose 2 Friday nights ago? I was on the way down from the lake just before dark and we came across a Raptor just like yours.

 

[KaiserM715]

That looks like fun! I really need to explore other roads in the Red River area rather than just going to Goose Lake every time I'm in the area.

I have the recreation map (sold in RR) that has all of the local trails. My goal is to try all of them. 4th of July Canyon is to only one I have any reservations about and from what I have heard, I don't think a solo attempt would be recommended in a big truck like mine. I would like to try Pioneer Rd, but there is not a lot of info out there that I have seen.

Were you at Goose 2 Friday nights ago? I was on the way down from the lake just before dark and we came across a Raptor just like yours.

We came in on the following Monday. It would have been interesting to run into another Raptor up there and compare notes. I do need to run Goose Lake in this truck...

 

[west_ok]

You need to go back in a couple weeks late Sept or early Oct. and go up pioneer it's awesome when the Aspen's are changing, only bummer is that it's not as long as it used to be but still a nice trail. Another trail that I just discovered last Oct. was Valle Vidal. Not exactly at Red River but a nice day trip. It starts at Costilla (north of Questa) and takes you all the way to just North of Cimmaron. If you get lucky you can make it up to Goose if they haven't had much snow yet. Another great walking trail is Middle Fork they closed it down to vehicles a few years back due to the switchbacks.

 

[KaiserM715]

You need to go back in a couple weeks late Sept or early Oct. and go up pioneer it's awesome when the Aspen's are changing, only bummer is that it's not as long as it used to be but still a nice trail. Another trail that I just discovered last Oct. was Valle Vidal. Not exactly at Red River but a nice day trip. It starts at Costilla (north of Questa) and takes you all the way to just North of Cimmaron. If you get lucky you can make it up to Goose if they haven't had much snow yet. Another great walking trail is Middle Fork they closed it down to vehicles a few years back due to the switchbacks.

I would love to do a fall colors trip, but our schedule didn't work out for that this year.

I would really like to try Valle Vidal, too. I have not been back there before. Would you happen to have any pics to post or report on the road? It is pavement to gravel from what I understand.

We actually hiked that while we were there. It had an incredible view.

 

[addicted56]

Great pictures. I was just up on Lincoln National Forrest doing some High Altitude Mountainous Environment Training. I had no idea was NM looked like that. All of the elk and the terrain/vegetation was absolutely amazing. Especially going from nothing but desert and white sands and 3 minutes later you climb 5K feet and you are in paradise. Thank you for the report and pics.

 

[west_ok]

Valle Vidal Pics

Pretty sure I didn't do this right but hopefully they will show up. Sorry about the delay.

 

[dorton]

That's beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I could see myself spending some time there.

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[Richie]

I'll be in the Red River area a week from today and intend to drive Old Red River Pass for the first time.