Our New Mexico Trip Oct 6-9, 2011

brushogger

Explorer
First of all, you New Mexico people are some of the luckiest in the world. This is one beautiful place! My wife and I had both been skiing there but never had the chance to explore. We camped the first night in Santa Rosa and headed out early the next morning for Red River.
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Along the way we came across the Palisades Sill.
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We spent a short time there and headed for Greenie Peak trail. In the video I said this was on Wheeler Peak, but it's Midnight Meadow on Greenie peak trail.
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http://qik.ly/BEBKcE4zIQa61rZcJvmKJ7a
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The trail on our map to our planned campsite was wrong so we ended up camping at Cabresto Lake. One of those mistakes that ends up being better than what we had planned. It got down into the 20's and snowed some but the Oztent kept us toasty.
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We headed back to Red River to catch a bit of Oktoberfest and the requisite refreshments. On the way we passed the most unusual house we saw on the trip.
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We then headed for Goose Lake Trail. This was a great trail, but it would be pretty easy for a full size rig to drop a tire over the edge in spots.
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The aspens were gorgeous.
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This is an old mine right next to the trail.
There are remains of several old log cabins on this trail.
Had to clear a tree that had fallen across the trail. It was a fresh fall but the other trail users were already going off the trail around it.
Here are a couple if vids.
http://qik.ly/aJDHRdmEkj18jnuIxvIUp6
http://qik.ly/8NZ4U8JEcfVCRyIANBvdda
http://qik.ly/8NZ4U8JEcfVCRyIANBvdda
We finally made it to the lake around 4:30. It started snowing hard so we headed back down.
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This is the water crossing at the Goose Lake trailhead.

We headed for Taos with plans to camp at Twining. It was a blizzard up on the mountain and large rocks (bushel size) were landing in the road.
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We ate and headed back to Taos. We cheated and got a motel room since it was pretty late. The snow killed our plans to hike up Wheeler Peak. They were expecting a couple of feet up there. Time for plan B.

Headed south to the Rio Grande gorge. You have to see this place.
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They have very nice campgrounds there too. The Gas station museum south of there is quite a treat
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We saw some amazing country. At Los Alamos we headed for Jemez Springs. Along the way we passed thru Valle Grande right before sunset.
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We camped just south of Jemez Springs.
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We broke camp the next morning
And headed back north to the Gilman Tunnels.
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The river, waterfalls, and overall scenery of this area is breathtaking.
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This is the tipi rocks area( not to be confused with Tent Rocks). We got to watch part of a motorcycle trials competition here. That was pretty cool. We kept going north and found the road to the hot springs but were to short on time to make it. We'll have to save it for next trip! Tapatalk has a pic limit so later I'll post a link to Photobucket.
 
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bearman512

Adventurer
brushogger next time you feel the urge to come back let me know. I can take you to a couple places less than 8 hours from you. Mills canyon is a great place and very isolated.
Here are a few pics.
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Mills Canyon is accessible all year and is less than 6 hours from you.
The only issue is I am a Kansas State fan so if you are into NCAA football we could have a great time.
 

Richie

Adventurer
Great trip report. I love that part of the state. Honestly I really don't travel any where else when it comes to camping, fishing and exploring. I haven't really been up there with snow around. I'm jealous!

Were you able to hang out at Goose Lake long? Any one else up there?
 
Wow, these are BEAUTIFUL pictures! I really want to travel through NM and see everything there! It really looks like NM is a "must-see" state.
 

brushogger

Explorer
Great trip report. I love that part of the state. Honestly I really don't travel any where else when it comes to camping, fishing and exploring. I haven't really been up there with snow around. I'm jealous!

Were you able to hang out at Goose Lake long? Any one else up there?

We didn't get to stay long. It started snowing pretty hard and was starting to build up on the trail so we thought it prudent to leave. There were a few people on atv's up there.
 

rajin cajun

Adventurer
Land of Enchantment

New Mexico is often referred to as "The land of Entrapment", it is an outdoor enthusiast dream. In my humble opinion.

Happy trails.
 

The BN Guy

Expedition Leader
Brushogger and Bearman, do either of you have any gps points or any info on Google Earth? We go to the ruidoso area during June/July every year and I'm looking for some places to go up north.

Downside is that I've become a flatlander as my fear of heights can be a party crasher.
 

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