Just me and the dogs on the roads of NM and CO
- Thread starter Sleam
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Sleam
Explorer
Just past Creede - which by the way is a cool and funky town, we took a western turn on the NF road to Rio Grande Reservoir. Up a ways are two lakes full of fish. I met a family who gave me afresh caught trout and told me to settle in for the night, make a fire and cook up some fish! I did just that. We drove up further, the road was gravel, with an incredibly steep drop down into the reservoir which made me thankful I didn't meet another vehicle. The goal was a campsite called Lost Trail, it was primitive and empty. (I had perfect timing at all the camping spots on this trip.)
It was strange in that there were resorts geared to off road high end moneyed folks yet the sense was still pristine wilderness.
The lakes were beautiful. We got out a few times and paddled and played.
The temperatures in the day were warm with the windows open and at night I made fires and layered up. Perfect time of year.
It was strange in that there were resorts geared to off road high end moneyed folks yet the sense was still pristine wilderness.
The lakes were beautiful. We got out a few times and paddled and played.
The temperatures in the day were warm with the windows open and at night I made fires and layered up. Perfect time of year.
Sleam
Explorer
After setting up camp, we took a hike around. I see on the map now that this dirt road would have taken me over a pass to Silverton but at the time I thought it dead-ended. Oh well, next time eh?
Campfires and fresh fish made for a perfect night. Not a soul to be heard. Just us. Sweet.
Campfires and fresh fish made for a perfect night. Not a soul to be heard. Just us. Sweet.
Sleam
Explorer
Back on Hwy 149 northbound to Slumgullion Pass, some 11,000 feet high, the road was quiet, little traffic, winding up and up with lots of options for side trips. I stopped at the peak, signs for Hidden Valley but there was lots of logging type vehicles passing on the dirt so we pulled off for lunch and a wander. Beautiful weather, quiet camping, pretty sweet. I think I could easily take a month taking all these forest roads. I've explored a ton in the last twenty years of living in New Mexico but there are always more to tempt me back.
On a side note, the dogs hate the tent. They couldn't sleep. So i put them in the truck and me in the tent. I slept great. They didn't. They couldn't stand not being able to protect me and were exhausted in the morning. So now we all sleep in the 4Runner! Harold and Rosie each get a front seat. Me and tall boy, Oliver, stretch out in the back. Its not bad to be honest, very warm! And since we only have a crate of cooking gear and another of dog stuff, those go outside and that's that. Simple as possible.
Dogs relax.
I relax.
Food time. He got the leftovers.
Time to hit the road back down towards Lake City, which I really liked but it was packed with OHVs and Jeeps gearing up for the tough mountain dirt passes. I stopped for gas and a cold drink but didn't stick around. I'd like to go back when the passes are closed and see what it's like then off season.
On a side note, the dogs hate the tent. They couldn't sleep. So i put them in the truck and me in the tent. I slept great. They didn't. They couldn't stand not being able to protect me and were exhausted in the morning. So now we all sleep in the 4Runner! Harold and Rosie each get a front seat. Me and tall boy, Oliver, stretch out in the back. Its not bad to be honest, very warm! And since we only have a crate of cooking gear and another of dog stuff, those go outside and that's that. Simple as possible.
Dogs relax.
I relax.
Food time. He got the leftovers.
Time to hit the road back down towards Lake City, which I really liked but it was packed with OHVs and Jeeps gearing up for the tough mountain dirt passes. I stopped for gas and a cold drink but didn't stick around. I'd like to go back when the passes are closed and see what it's like then off season.
Sleam
Explorer
The drive was incredible upto Gunnison. I hadn't been this area for some ten years I think so it was a treat to find familiar sights as we trundled along in Fiona! There was little traffic that's for sure.
The camera is a Sony Cybershot, high resolution photos and lovely to use. BUT. They die after two years. Mine died since the trip and I need to find something comparable before April when we head off again.
The camera is a Sony Cybershot, high resolution photos and lovely to use. BUT. They die after two years. Mine died since the trip and I need to find something comparable before April when we head off again.
Sleam
Explorer
We spent a day around Gunnison, somewhere I have fond memories of from 1999! Anyway, big lunch at a cafe (the first meal out this trip so I deserved it) followed by a wander around the shops. It was nice but not as fun as I remembered, oh well! Off uphill with a full gas tank, ice, beer and groceries. Not a bad day. Up to Taylor reservoir as the stepping off point for some exploring. I'd come here in a 71 VW beetle and took dirt roads that I then found out afterwards were some of the hairiest mountain passes around, which explained the looks I got from all the jeeps and rovers.
A stormy evening with the dogs, damp firepit, stuck in the back of the 4Runner for hours with three dogs. Camping like this is only good in dry climates. A roof top tent next I think, somewhere I can have solo time and stretch out. But it means changing out the roof rack and buying a RTT which aren't cheap are they?
But we make the most of it, taking a walk as soon as the rain stopped. Oliver was very happy about that.
It was a cod night, the coldest so far.
Big fire time.
A stormy evening with the dogs, damp firepit, stuck in the back of the 4Runner for hours with three dogs. Camping like this is only good in dry climates. A roof top tent next I think, somewhere I can have solo time and stretch out. But it means changing out the roof rack and buying a RTT which aren't cheap are they?
But we make the most of it, taking a walk as soon as the rain stopped. Oliver was very happy about that.
It was a cod night, the coldest so far.
Big fire time.
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Sleam
Explorer
Cottonwood pass in the rain, not so easy as the road was slippery uphill, winding and hairpins but not nearly as rough as Tincup Pass that I did years ago, this was quite the main road in comparason. We took our time though, stopping often, exploring and spending hours to do what most would drive in one! That's okay, I had no destination or timeline.
Just playing.
Here we are for you by the way, just me and three dogs in a 4Runner!
It was just like on the coast of Ireland or Wales, wet, grey and windy! Tired but happy selfie for you.
Just playing.
Here we are for you by the way, just me and three dogs in a 4Runner!
It was just like on the coast of Ireland or Wales, wet, grey and windy! Tired but happy selfie for you.
Sleam
Explorer
Next stop was Salida.
I'd been there a few years before for a gig teaching and performing one weekend at their Art Fair but not since. I thought I remembered some good stores, a bar on the river and it being pretty friendly.
It was just that but they were setting up for a weekend market which I'd miss since I couldn't find NF camping near by for me and the dogs. We spent a day there any way, and I loved the feel of the place. I just wish there was more choice for my kind of traveling. Low key and cheap that is.
We stocked up before leaving though since I didnt know where we'd end up next. The dogs were great, they loved walking around town, getting treats at the restaurant on the river but mostly they love the 4Runner. It's been easy with these guys on the road.
I'd been there a few years before for a gig teaching and performing one weekend at their Art Fair but not since. I thought I remembered some good stores, a bar on the river and it being pretty friendly.
It was just that but they were setting up for a weekend market which I'd miss since I couldn't find NF camping near by for me and the dogs. We spent a day there any way, and I loved the feel of the place. I just wish there was more choice for my kind of traveling. Low key and cheap that is.
We stocked up before leaving though since I didnt know where we'd end up next. The dogs were great, they loved walking around town, getting treats at the restaurant on the river but mostly they love the 4Runner. It's been easy with these guys on the road.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Wow, nice report and great adventure.
Sleam
Explorer
Chama, NM beckoned. We drove on south down Hwy 285 towards New Mexico with the mountains on our right, and a huge flat valley and main road. I couldnt find another route unfortunately, i don't know if that was a lack of good maps or just a limited choice around there? We drove and it was flat and easy and almost relaxing but for more traffic than I was used to at this point.
As soon as we could we took a smaller byway, this time heading back west for a while on 17 towards Cumbres.
As soon as we could we took a smaller byway, this time heading back west for a while on 17 towards Cumbres.
Sleam
Explorer
Back on the smaller roads, climbing and winding up into the San Juans, my familiar and beloved friendly mountains! We took a NF road up to Trujillo Meadows and stopped.
Strange feeling about the place, lots of dead and down trees (wild fires? bark beetle?), empty roads, logging signs, and beer bottles in the firepits. Odd. I doubt I'll go back there.
Strange feeling about the place, lots of dead and down trees (wild fires? bark beetle?), empty roads, logging signs, and beer bottles in the firepits. Odd. I doubt I'll go back there.
Sleam
Explorer
Heron Lake, NM after some time in Chama to restock and get some coffee and a burrito since we were back in my home state! I like Chama, the railroad, the people are friendly to us, the roads are interesting but easy to drive, the scenery is beautiful.
We settled it to Heron reservoir after another full day. I was tired and cranky and the dogs uneasy. The first rough night together. Oh well, eh?
I took them for a walk, fed them, then threw them back into the truck and sat outside alone for an hour or so. Then I relaxed again.
We settled it to Heron reservoir after another full day. I was tired and cranky and the dogs uneasy. The first rough night together. Oh well, eh?
I took them for a walk, fed them, then threw them back into the truck and sat outside alone for an hour or so. Then I relaxed again.