OUTDOORS NM

Public can rent Historic Aldo Leopold Cottage in Tres Piedras spring of 2025.

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:53:00 +0000

Renovations to the historic Aldo Leopold cottage in Tres Piedras are done and it should be available for the public to rent this spring.

“This is a first for New Mexico,” said Zach Behrens, Public Affairs Officer for the Carson National Forest in Taos.

Unlike several neighboring states the Forest Service in New Mexico hasn’t had any cabins, cottages or lookout towers available for the public to rent.

Colorado and Arizona boast hugely popular Forest Service rental programs of their historic properties.

The opening of the Leopold cottage could provide a real boost to rural northern New Mexico’s modest outdoor recreation economy.

“I’m certainly looking forward to it,” says Deb Graves, owner of the Chile Line Depot restaurant and lodge off U.S. 285 in the village of Tres Piedras.

Grave’s restaurant is the only place to stop for food, ice, groceries, lodging and entertainment along the many lonely miles of scenic U.S. 64 between Taos and Tierra Amarilla and remote U.S. 285 between Ojo Caliente and Antonito, Colo.

The Leopold cottage is just across the highway from Grave’s business, set far back from the road behind the post office and tucked up against a rocky hillside.

Leopold, regarded by many as the founding father of the nation’s wilderness and wildlife conservation movement, built the cottage back when he was the Forest Service’s Deputy Forest Supervisor in Tres Piedras in 1911.

The two story cottage features 4 furnished bedrooms and can accommodate up to 8 guests. It has a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, a library and a cozy den with a fireplace.

The cost to spend a night at the historic cottage is $175 and a $250 security deposit is required, Behrens said. Booking dates and other information will be posted at the federal government’s recreational reservation site at www.recreation.gov.

The cottage will be unavailable to rent a couple months out of the year when selected members of The Leopold Writing Program stay there. For more info about the program visit their website at www.leopoldwritingprogram.org.

Those fortunate enough to stay there will find the cottage’s wide, covered front porch offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and is perfect for whiling away an afternoon.

Nearby outdoor recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, wildlife viewing while fishing and hunting abound within the Carson National Forest, Cruces Basin Wilderness and the Rio Grande gorge.

A recent midwinter tour of the cottage with Angie Krall, a District Ranger with the Carson National Forest, revealed why it should be popular with the public.

As Krall described the house, she described the man who designed and built the four-bedroom Craftsman style bungalow with a sunny, warm kitchen, indoor plumbing. hardwood floors and plenty of windows.

“He used its southeast exposure to provide heat and light and the natural rock in the back to provide thermal heat,” she said of Leopold. “He was so far ahead for his time.”

On the front porch visitors will find a bench of Leopold’s design upon which he could sit on backwards to use the back rest as a support for his drawing pad.

“It’s so Aldo,” Krall remarked.

Under the floor of the front porch domestic livestock were kept safe overnight in a spacious manger.

Leopold’s cottage was not only very utilitarian but also likely designed with his wife, Estella’s, comfort in mind.

The master bedroom is on the ground floor, adjacent to the large front room, behind the fireplace and next to the bathroom. A black and white, wedding day photo of Aldo and Estella, the daughter of a Santa Fe family, graces the master bedroom wall.

The kitchen gets the best light, through both winter and summer. A small kitchen table with a couple of chairs sits under the two south facing windows, making it a naturally warm and inviting space.

A steep wooden staircase to the second floor is placed, craftsman-style, in the direct path of the wide front door. Guests can go directly from the porch through the front door and straight up the stairs to the three large bedrooms.

Dotting the walls of the cottage are other historic photos of Leopold including one in which he is out hunting with a large wooden frame on his back for packing out game.

Craftsman touches throughout the house include the work of others such as beautifully crafted, tongue and groove shelf atop the fireplace produced by fellow ranger, Walt Perry.

“He (Perry) wrote that making it was much more difficult than he had first thought it would be,” Krall said.

Shelves built into the exterior of second floor staircase keep safe more historic items from the past and present.

On one side, an arrangement of old dinnerware including a coffee cup, bowls and a large serving platter in a white glaze with the green stamp of the Forest Service chevron that were made in the USA by Tepco.

On the other side of the staircase, the built-in shelves house Leopold’s publications and writings. There are other books written by many of those who stayed at the cabin over the past 20 years through a writers in residence program operated by The Leopold Writing Program.

Adjacent to the den a large table sits in the middle of the dining room surrounded by numerous chairs while a couple of desks line the walls under spacious windows. It is easy to see why the layout of this room would be so appealing to writers.

Venturing outside to the back of the cottage visitors will find a picnic table under a covered porch. And carved into the nearby rocks is a root cellar where vegetables and other goods would have been stored.

Above it is the dimpled outcropping of New Mexico’s geologic past, a large mound of rocks that leads the way to the future Aldo Leopold Trail, one of many outdoor amenities for the public to enjoy once the cabin becomes available.

Krall, an archaeologist who worked on restoring cabins for rent while stationed with the Forest Service in Colorado is eager to get one of New Mexico’s most famous Forest Service cabins opened to the public.

“It’ll be great that the public will finally be able to use and enjoy this historic structure,” she said.

The cabin is included in the National Register of Historic Places and was recently restored by HistoriCorps volunteers. Much of the preservation and caretaking of the historic cottage has been performed over the years by volunteers.

Krall noted that Leopold spent only a brief period of his life at the cabin, once it was built. He was struck with a sudden illness, barely making it back to the cabin on horseback during a snowstorm. Although he recovered after traveling east, he did not return. He later died from injuries he suffered in a prairie fire, trying to protect his Ohio farm.

His desire to see conservation of the continent’s wild places become an American value remains his greatest legacy.

Early in his career, Leopold had embraced the then widely accepted game management policy of eliminating predators to protect game animals and domestic livestock. He would later see the error of that management practice and come to urge support of a more holistic approach on federally administered public lands.

“He had such an open mind,” Krall said.

Leopold’s book, “A Sand County Almanac” published in 1949 helped inspire the conservation movement of the 1970s. His essays called for humans to adopt a “land ethic” to serve as the moral compass and an ethical roadmap of how they should and could coexist with nature on Earth. To learn more about Leopold visit www.aldoleopold.org

Once the Forest Service announces that the Leopold cottage is available to rent it can be booked through the www.recreation.gov website.

Spring fishing on the San Juan River - Tips and Tricks

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:02:00 +0000

The author shows off a standard issue San Juan rainbow trout during a spring outing on the river.

Spring fishing on the San Juan River means dry fly action and plenty of it so box up the nymphs, break out the flies and get after it.

Many a dry fly angler can recall times on the San Juan when they’ve seen Baetis mayflies hatching, trout rising and surrounding anglers still hopelessly dredging nymphs through the water.

Don’t be one of those yahoos! Learn to cast a dry fly and have some serious fun on New Mexico’s premier, trophy class trout stream.

Here’s some time proven tips and tricks for spring dry fly fishing on the San Juan river below Navajo Dam in northwestern New Mexico.

First of all be prepared for the weather. The months of March and April can bring some of the worst weather of the year with wind, rain, and even heavy, wet snow storms.

Sure, there’ll be lots of glorious days when it’s sunny and warm but there’ll also be others when the snow’s blowing sideways, so just be prepared before going out there.

And keep in mind that when it’s overcast, sprinkling or snowing the fishing is usually great on the San Juan because that’s when the Baetis usually hatch and the trout rise.

Before heading out check with a local fly shop to see if the lake is turning over and discoloring the water, if it is your chances of catching a baetis hatch might be greatly reduced.

A beautiful spring day on the San Juan River under threatening clouds sweeping in from southern Colorado.

Here's one of the more time honored tips for fishing with dry flies on the San Juan.

If you're having a hard time seeing your fly on the water just tie on a larger fly such as a #16 elk hair caddis or parachute Adams. Then attach the target fly, usually a 22, 24 or 26 parachute Adams or any number of Baetis imitators, to the back end with a shorter length of tippet. The bigger fly is easier to see and serves as a strike indicator when the target fly is taken. In many cases fish will take the larger fly too. Anglers usually don't see a lot of Caddis coming off on the waters of the San Juan but it is a fly that produces strikes time and time again for some reason.

Another dry fly fishing trick is learning to tell the difference between a rising fish feeding off the surface and those feeding just below it.

If you see a trout’s snout break the surface then it’s usually sipping mayflies fluttering around on top of the water. When only the tail or the fin can be seen swirling around just below the surface then it’s probably feeding on emerging insects.

To catch fish feeding just below the surface tie an emerger wet fly on a short piece of tippet and attach it to the back end of your dry fly. Wet the length of the tippet so it'll will sink and the emerger will ride just below the surface.

Remember to cast this rig just above a rising fish and arrange it so that the fly passes over the intended spot rather than the leader. Wait for the dry fly to stop, twitch or disappear below the surface and then gently set the hook.

To catch fish feeding a little deeper cut a foot long piece of 6x tippet in half and then tie it back together using a blood or surgeons knot. Attach the tippet to the back end of large, durable, high floating fly like a #10 or # 12 stimulator. Next, slide a #9 split shot down the tippet to the knot which will keep it from descending any further and finally, attach the target fly, typically a grey #22 RS2 Baetis emerger, to the bottom.

Dry fliers also can consider clipping the hackle on the bottom of those strike indicator flies so they float flatter on the water.

Another trick to successful dry fly fishing is to recognize and avoid the angling condition known as "premature evacuation." That’s what happens when an angler gets so excited about seeing a trout take their fly that they pull it right out of its mouth.

Relax and let the fish take the fly before setting the hook with a gentle rise of the rod tip.

And while anglers should always wear polarized sun glasses to protect their eyes and reduce glare off the water sometimes it’s even more important to remember to move and put the sun at your back to reduce glare.

A pair of good polarized sunglasses and changing positions in relation to the sun is essential to combating glare and improving dry fly fishing sucess.

Nowhere is that more evident than in places like the San Juan’s lower flats where by simply moving to the other side of a run takes the glare off the water and gives an angler a better look at rising fish and a floating fly.

And lastly, dry fly anglers should never venture out onto the San Juan during dry fly seasons without at least a handful of #22, 24 and 26 Parachute Adams dry flies and a bottle of desiccant to keep them riding high and catching fish.

An Adams dry fly can catch just about anything when a hatch is on.

For more detailed info about fishing conditions on the San Juan river check in at one of the fly shops found in the village of Navajo Dam. They should be able to tell you if and when the hatches have been occurring. In the meantime while you're waiting for those risers tie on a standard San Juan nymphing rig like a # 18 red larva with a #22 grey midge trailing off the bottom. Add a bit of weight and a strike indicator and stay busy till the Baetis come off.

Now here’s some Tips and Tricks for spring camping on the San Juan River.

Mud and Plenty of It:

Spring can be the wettest time of year on the San Juan River with snowpack melting and rains turning local, dirt roads into incredibly slick and in some cases, impassable mud bogs.

Even the short stretch of dirt road leading to Cottonwood Campground can be a nightmare to navigate under the worst of conditions and those camping at the end of that same road in Simon Canyon could end up stuck there for the duration.

So those who intend to camp on the San Juan need keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to move on, in a hurry, if need be. Some rains may last an afternoon and do little damage but a heavy, overnight, drenching could spell trouble especially for those camping in more remote areas.

Be forewarned, four wheel drive is great stuff but without chains and aggressive off-road tires like the local oil and gas guys have, it may not be enough to deal with what some of these dirt roads serve up when muddy.

That being said, camping on the San Juan in the spring can be great if the weather cooperates just remember to button up your tent upon leaving for the day, just in case. And cover your firewood too.

Food and Coolers:

Remember that with the onset of daylight savings time the days on the river grow longer and temperatures increase considerably, that means the fishing starts earlier too. So anglers might want to consider adopting a cooking and feeding plan that accommodates their fishing schedule.

Quick and easy foods such as hard boiled eggs, cheese sticks, apples, trail bars, beef jerky, peanuts and trail mix make for good fuel while on the river and can be easily eaten while on the move early in the day.

But by midday one might want to return to their vehicle or camp and relax while whipping up a real meal and waiting for the last half of the day and early evening to commence.

There are several nice, shady spots along the river at the Cottonwood Campground day use area where one can enjoy a leisurely meal and perhaps take a nap before getting back to fishing.

Towering cottonwood trees provide great shade in several spots along the San Juan River.

By bringing a small, portable gas grill or stove and and a good cast iron skillet one can make short work of grilling burgers, chicken or pork which when folded into a tortilla with a dab of refried beans, several slices of avocado, tomato, onion and some green chile or salsa, rivals anything the local restaurants can whip up and is a hell of lot cheaper.

Use doubled up, zip-lock bags when storing food in the cooler to keep them from getting wet or leaking into your ice.

Keeping coolers iced up becomes an issue with the coming of spring too so try to keep them out of direct sunlight, anticipate the track of the sun and park accordingly. Crack your vehicle windows to let out the buildup of heat and use sun shades to cover the windows.

Consider keeping the cooler wrapped up in a spare blanket or sleeping bag for added insulation and don’t dump out the cold water in the bottom of the cooler until absolutely necessary. It’s what’s holding in the cold.

The Sun and Lots of It:

Don’t go out on the river without sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, a good hat and a raincoat or poncho. Bring and wear a broad brimmed hat with a chin strap to retain it in the wind. Be prepared for changing weather conditions including wind and rain which can reduce core temperatures quickly. Carry an emergency space blanket in your vest.

Water and Lots of It:

Stay hydrated. Don’t venture out onto the river for any length of time without at least a couple of liters of water. Carry a light weight, water filter if need be but most importantly drink plenty of water and do it before you become thirsty. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake as they contribute to dehydration.

Visit the Rio Chama below Abiquiu Lake for winter trout fishing

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 22:09:00 +0000

The Rio Chama below Abiquiu Lake.

Every winter it seems there’s a spell of warm sunny days in northern New Mexico where anglers just have to get out and go fishing.

And on days like that they may as well just head straight for the Rio Chama below the dam at Abiquiu Lake.

Long considered a winter fishery the river is regularly stocked with trout by the state Department of Game and Fish.

The river boasts about five miles of public access from the base of the dam downstream to just outside the village of Barranca near Abiquiu.

And in recent years about two miles of river directly below the dam received habitat improvements and other upgrades that have significantly improved fishing and recreation conditions.

The river channel has been narrowed, deepened and boulders were installed to improve the fishing habitat.

The river is designated special trout water with a bag limit of two from the bridge crossing the river on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu for about 7 miles upstream to the base of Abiquiu Dam. Standard bait and lures along with typical fly fishing fare works well on the many stocked rainbow trout found here.

The author with a stocked rainbow trout.

But for some the beauty of this place isn’t so much the fishing as it is the scenery. This is Georgia O’Keeffe country with plenty of colorful cliffs, snow covered hillsides and expansive blue skies to admire.

Along the river just below the dam visitors will find a parking and picnic area with several shelters and a sturdy vault toilet. Further downstream several other picnic and parking areas are carved out by the riverside. The surrounding land is rugged and remote and well suited for hiking.

A day use area with picnic tables, shelters, parking and a vault toilet welcomes visitors to the recreational area.

After a few miles though the river and its dirt road part ways only to reconnect again on the other side of a steep mountain.

Two track trails crisscross the area with most leading into the thick brush and dense cottonwood stands found along the riverside.

Those with the motive and means can now continue downstream and enjoy a whole’nother stretch of river, one where the hatchery truck doesn’t visit and the fish are fewer and farther between. The resident brown trout here are decidedly harder to find and catch than their upstream kin.

An angler tries his luck in one of the fishing holes found further downstream from the dam.

The countryside here is vast, remote and worthy of exploration but the road eventually grows rutted and mean as it squeezes through a narrow, rocky canyon marking the end of the public land.

Emerging on the other side the road turns back to pavement and winds away from the river through the rural village of Barranca. A last ditch shot at fishing lies ahead where a roadside/riverside picnic area has been carved out just before reaching the highway at Abiquiu.

The Rio Chama with Cerrito Blanco in the background at Abiquiu N.M.

Visit Trinity Site for a Real Blast from the Past!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 17:51:00 +0000

The memorial obelisk at ground zero.

The Army expects bigger crowds and longer waits for the public to visit the Trinity Site on White Sands Missile Range this fall due to the recent release of the movie “Oppenheimer.”

The remote military base in the New Mexico desert was the test site for the world’s first explosion of an atom bomb and is opened to the public twice a year.

“Due to the release of the movie, “Oppenheimer” in July, we are expecting a larger than normal crowd at the 21 October open house,” according to an alert posted on the Army’s Trinity Site web page. “You may experience wait times of up to two hours getting onto the site. If you are not one of the first 5,000 visitors, you might not get through the gate prior to its’ closure at 2 p.m.”

Sweet duty for this group of soldiers who said they enjoyed working with the public.

During its April open house the Army saw about 3,900 visitors and it took just over an hour for the author’s vehicle to slowly make its way up to and through the manned checkpoint to gain entrance to the site.

We arrived at around 9:30 a.m. after spending the night at the Days Inn in nearby Socorro where Trinity Site visitors will need to book a room well in advance if they want to stay in town.

Those who prefer to camp out can find some sites just outside of San Antonio at the Riverine Park off U.S. 380 in the Bosque alongside the irrigation canal. We observed others camped out on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land on the road leading to the Stallion Gate on White Sands Missile Range.

Primitive campsites at Riverine Park off U.S. 380 outside of San Antonio.

Travel to the site from Las Cruces or Albuqueque takes a couple of hours and visitors can only gain entrance through the Stallion Gate on N.M. 525 located off U.S. 380 between San Antonio and Carrizozo. The gate opens at 8 a.m. ID is required. No firearms or marijuana allowed. The call of nature can be strong when waiting in line. Prepare accordingly. See the site's website for more info.

Trinity Site is where the first atomic bomb was tested at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time on July 16, 1945. The 19-kiloton explosion not only led to a quick end to the war in the Pacific but also ushered the world into the atomic age. All life on Earth has been touched by the event, which took place here, according to a brochure on the Trinity Site's webpages.

The ranch house where it all came together.

The 51,500-acre area was declared a national historic landmark in 1975. The landmark includes base camp, where the scientists and support group lived; ground zero, where the bomb was placed for the explosion; and the Schmidt/McDonald ranch house, where the plutonium core to the bomb was assembled. Visitors to a Trinity Site Open House are given the opportunity to visit ground zero and the ranch house. In addition, one of the old instrumentation bunkers is visible beside the road just west of ground zero.

Socorro's plaza area is well worth exploring.

Riding the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 15:43:00 +0000

Autumn is a great time to take a ride into New Mexico’s high country to see the trees changing colors from aboard one of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad’s antique trains.

The railroad’s steam locomotives chug along over 64 miles of narrow gauge track spanning the mountains between Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo., crossing both state’s borders 11 times.

As the trains wends its way up and over 10,000-foot high Cumbres Pass at a top speed of 12 miles-per-hour, passengers have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

The passing countryside includes wide meadows of native grasses bordered by thick stands of aspen and pines trees through which the Los Pinos River meanders. Adventurous anglers seeking a bucket list experience can arrange to be dropped off and picked up later at a predetermined spot along the route.

Passengers can book passage aboard the train’s antique coach, parlor, or deluxe cars, which offer varying degrees of services and amenities. Any passenger can ride out on the open air car where exposure to the elements provides a heightened experience.

And with stations on both ends of the line in either Chama, N.M. or Antonito, Colo., passengers can plan their adventure from either side of the mountains.

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad depot at Antonito, Colo.

Just make sure you remember from which station you’re departing before you hit the road.

During a recent autumn outing to catch the train we were cruising up U.S. 285 in remote northern New Mexico, about half way to Colorado, when it suddenly dawned on us that we were on the wrong side of the mountains. Out of habit we had taken the turnoff just north of Española where U.S. 84/285 splits because that’s the highway we usually take to go up to Colorado.

But today we were supposed to be on the other side of the Tusas Mountains, headed up U.S. 84 through Chama to catch the midday train at Cumbres Pass. Instead we were cutting through miles of empty sage, spruce and piñon studded countryside headed for Antonito in southern Colorado.

We got lucky though as we were just coming up to the intersection at Tres Piedras where we could take U.S. 64 over the mountains back to Chama. It was a shame we had to hurry because the fall scenery along this highway was at its peak and screaming for us to stop and take photographs.

We hustled to make the train and passed it just as we motoring up the mountain to Cumbres Pass station. The remote mountaintop station in the national forest sits at a jumping off point for Continental Divide Trail hikers and boasts primitive camp sites amid great scenic views.

Once on board we found our assigned seats and soon enjoyed the rhythmic rocking of the train, the clattering of the tracks and the warm sun and gentle breezes flowing through our open windows.

Wren Propp and Karl Moffatt enjoy a recent autumn ride on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Passing through dark tunnels, creeping along the edge of steep canyons and crossing over towering trestle bridges, the train marked its passage with the hoot and wail of its haunting steam whistle.

Arriving at Osier Station high in the mountains we were treated to a full blown buffet lunch inside the sprawling cafeteria.

The menu included green or red chile enchiladas, grilled chicken and barbecue pork, pinto beans, roasted potatoes, salads, coleslaw, cornbread, dinner rolls, tortillas, peach cobbler and other desserts.

Back onboard the train the bar car was serving up Coors tall boys and other adult beverages during the return trip. When we got back to Cumbres Pass I surreptitiously stayed on board while my wife got off and picked me up later at the end of the line in Chama.

During the return trip I had the pleasure of hanging out between the cars with a young conductor who told me how much he loved his job but didn’t know if he could still continue doing it every summer now that he was finally graduating from college back in Oklahoma. He would soon be starting his teaching career and had a girlfriend back there too.

Boy, this poor guy sure seemed conflicted so I offered him my best advice about jobs and women, noting how both were in great supply compared to a fun gig like working on the railroad. I wished him the best of luck in getting his priorities straight as we rolled into Chama and parted ways.

Several months later I was watching the local news when they aired a story about the train featuring the same conductor. There he was telling the reporter how he was planning to be a teacher that winter but no matter what would be back on the railroad every summer after that for as long as they would have him.

Smart kid that conductor.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/texas-man-living-his-dream-conducting-the-cumbres-and-toltec-railroad/

Visit the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad's website at https://cumbrestoltec.com/ for more information.

Fort Sumner & Bosque Redondo - Small Town Charm Amid a Violent Past

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Wed, 17 May 2023 22:42:00 +0000

By Wren Propp

Serious events of more than 150 years ago play a major role in the lifeblood of Fort Sumner, home to the Bosque Redondo Memorial and Billy the Kid's gravesite. But visitors also can enjoy fishing, birding, camping, and even old fashioned soda fountain while taking in all that history.

On one hand visitors may come to see the gravesite of Billy the Kid, a Lincoln County War character whose mythologized youth (he was a starving orphan) and homicidal bravado usually overshadows the bloody reasons for the war itself. There’s a private museum and references throughout town referring to the Kid who was finally hunted down and killed here by Sheriff Pat Garrett back in 1881.

Then on the other hand, there's the memorial and education center dedicated to the sorrow and survival of two Indian tribes. The center recalls the suffering of the Diné (Navajo) after thousands of them were forcibly and murderously marched by the U.S. Army from their homeland in northwestern New Mexico to imprisonment at Fort Sumner, on the far eastern side of the territory. The forced marches came to be known as The Long Walk. The Diné were joined at "the Fort" by other prisoners, the Ndé (Mescalero Apache) from southern New Mexico.

You may think “museum” as you approach the Bosque Redondo Memorial but it really isn't.

It's a state sponsored historical site, an international site of consciousness, intended to raise awareness of the horrific treatment the two native groups experienced, and some survived, in the 1860s. Inside visitors will find art, historical documents and artifacts, interpretive signs and other displays that tell their story. Visitors also will find thoughtfully appointed quiet areas throughout the memorial where guests can privately reflect upon what they've learned during their visit.

The Bosque Redondo Memorial marks the place “where misery laid down its head every night.” Thousands of people were held against their will, suffering starvation, exploitation, cultural dismemberment and often, death.

The ultimate triumph of both the Diné and the Ndé over their captors is so remarkable, and historically significant, it's surprising that no one’s made a dramatic movie about it (yet) although there is a documentary film from 2009.

Bosque Redondo was the site of the signing of the 1868 Treaty between the U.S. and the Diné, a document that guides the relationship between the tribe and the federal government today. The Ndé also signed a treaty, albeit after they left Fort Sumner.

The impetus of the current memorial came from a 1990 letter signed by several Diné high school students who called out for more recognition of their people’s suffering and survival at the Bosque Redondo site.

The students had toured a small museum near the site of the old fort and were stunned that the deadly imprisonment of their ancestors, and the signing of the 1868 Treaty, were mere footnotes beside robust histories of Billy the Kid and the U.S. Army. You can read the letter that compelled the state to build the memorial while visiting the site or on the memorial’s website.

The Kid’s gravestone, the Bosque Redondo Memorial and another popular local attraction, Bosque Redondo Lake, are found about six miles southeast of the town of Fort Sumner in an area surrounded by family farms and ranches where visitors can see sheep, cattle, goats and horses grazing contently.

Campers and day visitors can enjoy Bosque Redondo Lake and its camp sites, bird watching, fishing and hiking and biking trails. The Pecos River flows nearby in wet years, feeding the area’s wealth of ponds and lakes. The area also features Fort Sumner and Santa Rosa State Parks where visitors can enjoy some great fishing for walleye, bass, catfish and trout. Reservations for overnight camping at these parks can be made through the New Mexico State Park’s website.

In addition to the Bosque Redondo Memorial visitors can also visit a private museum dedicated to Billy the Kid as well as his grave site. The Billy the Kid Museum also has an RV park if camping at one of the area lakes is not available.

Back in town visitors might enjoy stopping in at Addison’s Drug Store where an art deco-style soda fountain is still in operation. Kept in working order since the 1940s, its shiny blue and chrome décor will charm you while you sip a soda or spoon up a thick shake. Booths in the back harbor friendly locals who will tell you exactly how to find Billy the Kid's grave.

Dave’s Grocery, a family owned market that any small town “west of the Pecos” would be happy to have, featured fresh vegetables, ground beef and a separate section for hardware. During our recent visit the male clerks were dressed in jeans and button down shirts and happily serving a steady stream of little kids and their mommas, retirees and tourists. There's also a couple of cannabis stores in town, a shop selling locally produced honey, drive-in burger and and ice cream joint and a very busy NAPA auto parts store.

There’s also two substantial convenience stores in town including an Allsup's, known throughout New Mexico for their deep fried chimichangas and burritos. We found the service during our visit refreshingly friendly in these post-Covid times, with many clerks offering friendly greetings and good humor. In fact, everyone we encountered during our visit throughout Fort Sumner, from the ladies at Addison’s soda fountain to the folks at the Bosque Redondo Memorial, were warm and greeted us politely.

For non-campers, there’s plenty of hotel rooms at several different establishments in town. During our visit we stayed at the Super 8, which featured huge photographic prints of Shiprock, Tse Bit’a’ i, or the "rock with wings,” an iconic volcanic formation near the Four Corners area, and other images tied to the Diné homeland.

And around town some empty storefront windows are still decorated with advertisements for the 2018, 150^th anniversary of the signing of the 1868 Treaty that set the Indians free and commemorated at the memorial and throughout Fort Sumner.

Fort Sumner's small town charm and vibrancy speaks of a promising future and its recognition and acceptance of its violent and sobering past does too.

The author is a former Farmington Daily Times reporter who along with fellow reporter, Debi Tracy Olsen, earned an E.H. Shaffer Award for Journalism for their series documenting The Long Walk in the early 1990s. They visited the memorial together during this trip.

Things to do and see around Fort Sumner, NM:

· Bosque Redondo Memorial – open Thursdays through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $7 adult; children enter for free; Museums of New Mexico Cultural Pass accepted. https://nmhistoricsites.org/bosque-redondo.

Billy the Kid’s grave site https://www.fortsumner.net/parksrec/page/billy-kid%E2%80%99s-gravesite

Billy the Kid Museum – Open Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Adults $5; Seniors $4; Children 7 to 15, $3, and under 6, free. Closed some holidays and first two weeks of the year. https://billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com/index.html

Bosque Redondo Lake Park -- Well-kept day and overnight spots at this small lake with lots of bird life. No entrance fee observed.

Sumner State Lake Park -- reservations needed for camp sites. https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/sumner-lake-state-park/

Santa Rosa Lake State Park https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/santa-rosa-lake-state-park/ . Several non-reservation camping spots available.

Visit New Mexico's Plains During Summer Monsoon Rains

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 02:02:00 +0000

N.M. 72 between Raton and Folsom.

The summer monsoon season is a great time to visit New Mexico’s plains country as abundant rain prompts the prairie to green up and explode with colorful wildflowers.

And one of the best drives to enjoy the view is a 75-mile roundtrip from Raton over Johnson Mesa to the historic town of Folsom and on to Capulin Volcano and back.

But first you have to get out of Raton where the town’s Victorian architecture, downtown historic district and other attractions can draw and hold visitors.

The historic Shuler Theatre in downtown Raton.

During a recent visit to the area we stayed overnight at nearby Sugarite Canyon State Park where the hilltop Soda Pocket campground has good sites with great views. There’s also plenty of easy hiking trails and decent fishing at nearby Lakes Maloya, Alice and Dorothy. For Outdoors New Mexico’s story about the Sugarite State Park follow this link.

A campsite at Soda Pocket Campground in Sugarite Canyon State Park.

But the road trip is why we came and it starts just off the road to the state park at the intersection of N.M. 72. This two-lane paved road winds its way up onto remote Johnson Mesa where miles of rolling grassland dominate the landscape.

At the turn of the last century the mesa top would have been dotted with 160-acre homesteads where hardy pioneers attempted to eke out a living. Despite ample rain and good soil, the cold, windy winters and lack of a steady water source conspired to drive off the many farmers that once lived there. Now cattle and horses are the primary residents of the lush fields and pastures.

Johnson Mesa.

Along the way visitors will find a sturdy, rock church by the roadside. St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1897 and is listed on the state and national registers of historic places. It is well maintained by volunteers, still holds services and is frequently open for the public to visit.

Historic St. Johns Methodist Episcopal Church on Johnson Mesa.

Driving off the mesa and down towards the town of Folsom visitors could find a wall of wild flowers lining each side of the road.

A stop at the Folsom Museum will reveal plenty about why this sleepy little town has played such a big role in New Mexico history.

The Folsom Museum.

Among its many claims to fame is that it’s home to one of the most important archaeological discoveries in North America. Following an disasterous flood in 1908, a local black cowboy who also was a self-taught, amateur archaeologist and historian, George McJunkin, discovered an exposed trove of fossilized Bison bones protruding from a washed out arroyo. Upon further excavation by archaeologists years later numerous hunters’ spear points were found among the many bison skeletons. The discovery prompted the archaeology community to reevaluate their understanding of when humans first occupied North America, pushing back their estimates by at least 5,000 years to 12,000 years, according to published accounts.

McJunkin's hat and other items about him on display at the Folsom Museum.

Folsom once boasted several saloons, restaurants, hardware and merchandise stores, doctors and newspaper offices, schools and other establishments to serve the many farmers and ranchers from the surrounding area.

But recurring drought and other difficult economic conditions led many to leave the area and today Folsom is home to just 56 residents and some very old, historic buildings, according to the 2020 Census.

The old Folsom Hotel.

After exploring Folsom, visitors will find Capulin Volcano National Monument just down the road where they can drive two miles to the top of the 1,300 foot tall volcano and enjoy amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Pedestrians, bicyclists, trailers, towed vehicles and any vehicles over 26 feet long are not allowed on the steep, narrow road.

A view from atop Capulin Volcano.

Visitors will find a strenuous hike at an elevation of over 8,100 feet if they wish to walk around the rim of the ancient volcano. Monument staff are typically on hand in the parking lot to provide information to inquisitive tourists.

To finish the roundtrip motorists drive 32 miles on U.S. 64 back to Raton.

The plains near Raton, N.M.

Free pass for military veterans at national parks, forests and more!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 16:56:00 +0000

Military veterans have earned a free pass to enjoy all of the nation’s federally operated recreation sites including those run by the National Parks and U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Veterans can pick up a free, annual “America the Beautiful” pass at most locations by presenting an ID showing veteran status such as a state driver’s license or the Veterans Administration’s official veteran identification card. Veteran healthcare or Department of Defense ID cards will work too.

The pass allows the holder and guests in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle free entrance to federally operated recreation sites across the country.

The pass is good for the owner and three adults age 16 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged. No entry fees are charged for children 15 and under.

The pass is good for a year from the last day of the month it was it is issued. The free pass went into effect on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2020.The pass typically costs $80 but the savings it can produce far outweigh that when considering entrances fees at sites in New Mexico.

For instance Bandelier National Monument charges $25 a carload while Carlsbad Caverns National Park charges $15 per person.

Veteran anglers armed with their free pass would no longer need to pay day-use fees to fish along the Rio Grande within the Wild Rivers Recreation Area or at places like Santa Cruz Dam. Veteran boaters also would gain free entrance to such sites such as Cochiti, Abiquiu and Conchas Lakes.

Veterans can obtain an official VA Veterans ID card by applying online and submitted a copy of their DD Form 214, drivers’ license and a photo. Apply at https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/vic/.

The VA card can be used to obtain veteran’s discounts at stores like Lowes while those veterans who apply for and obtain confirmation of their veteran’s status through the ID.me website can qualify for discounts such as 25-percent websites like Carhartt. Visit https://www.id.me/individuals/group-discounts/military to apply.

Veteran anglers in New Mexico also enjoy a 50-percent discount on their annual state issued fishing license, motor vehicle registrations and property taxes. For more information visit http://www.nmdvs.org/state-veteran-benefits/.

Links to federally operated outdoor recreation sites in New Mexico:

Bureau of Land Management

https://www.blm.gov/new-mexico

U.S. Forest Service:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/carson/

http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola

http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila

http://www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln

http://www.fs.usda.gov//santafe/

National Park Service:

https://www.nps.gov/state/nm/index.htm

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bitter_Lake/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bosque_del_apache/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/grulla/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/las_vegas/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Maxwell/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rio_mora/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_andres/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sevilleta/

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/valle_de_oro/

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

https://www.usbr.gov/uc/albuq/index.html

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/

Get Away From It All at Canjilon Lakes

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Sun, 23 Aug 2020 23:10:00 +0000

Tucked away deep in the heart of Hispanic northern New Mexico is one of the state’s more secluded high country hideaways.

Canjilon Lakes boasts several small ponds stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout and is surrounded by lush mountain scenery and plenty of camp sites.

The lakes have long held a reputation for being a locals-only recreation area due to its remote location and cultural heritage.

Reports of vehicle break-ins, campground confrontations and hostile looks are bandied about by some in the angling community.

A vintage camper in one of the many U.S. Forest Service campsites at Canjilon Lakes.

But when it comes to fishing you’ve got to wonder if reports like these are real or just fabrications told by coy anglers trying to protect a favored fishing hole.

We ventured north to find out for ourselves on the Thursday before the start of the long Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The pleasant drive north on U.S. 84 took us through O’Keefe country past the striking red buttes overlooking Abiquiu Lake and the cathedral-like overhang at Echo Amphitheatre.

Echo Amphitheatre. Print available at www.karlmoffatt.pixels.com.

The turnoff to Canjilon comes before reaching Tierra Amarilla, the Rio Arriba County seat and site of the infamous 1967 court house raid by Chicano land grant activists.

Sign on private land outside Tierra Amarilla. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The raid and Canjilon’s association with it contribute to the lore of the lakes. For greater insight check out Russell Contreras of the Associated Press’ account of the historic incident at https://apnews.com/f61be51c282644b39c3347e89ec39cba.

Passing through the hamlet of Canjilon one can sense how this was once a thriving settlement where farming, ranching and living off the land was a way of life.

The U.S. Forest Service maintains a ranger station here where the controversial history of the land grants influences how the surrounding public lands are managed.

Photo courtesy of Russell Contreras.

Check out the following academic studies for more detailed information about the community, culture and history.

See: https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p007/rmrs_p007_035_038.pdf and
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9a02/3c8a1565b779a4f38969be9f9cccc4c51f5c.pdf?_ga=2.110956293.1624900775.1597697415-521613099.1597697415.

On the road to the lakes we pass piles of downed trees stacked by the roadside and littering the surrounding ground. These are some of the hundreds of trees that fell victim to insect infestation and drought that caused many to suddenly come down, forcing the Forest Service to close the area to the public for several years.

With many of the trees now cleared the area is open again and folks are able to find some relief from the daily grind of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

During our visit we found plenty of people at the upper two lakes and campground but didn’t see anyone throwing us “heños” (dirty looks). And everyone we met was friendly and helpful, too.

The upper lake at Canjilon Lakes.

There were no anglers at the lower pond we passed on our way in so we returned there to get the place to ourselves. We spread out around the shoreline and found plenty of eager trout taking our Pistol Petes trolled below a bubble or rising to a grasshopper fly riding on the surface.

While fishing we watched as a steady flow of traffic rolled by headed for the upper lakes and campground. But we remained the sole anglers on the lower pond and enjoyed a very relaxing visit.

The only drama we encountered was on our return when we elected to take a forest service road over to El Rito rather than go back through Canjilon. We could have sworn the sign at the intersection said 15 miles, turns out it was more than twice that over a rough dirt road. We saw a lot of back country, very few other people and gained a much greater appreciation for the area’s vast remoteness.

A rare paved road leads to Canjilon Lakes.

Canjilon Lakes turned out to be a great place to visit and enjoy some good fishing, sweet scenery and the opportunity to learn more about the area’s interesting history.

As for it’s bad reputation?

Maybe that really is nothing more then a few shifty anglers trying to keep this jewel of a fishing spot under wraps.

Cabresto Lake a Great High Country Hideaway

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:25:00 +0000

Wanna get away from it all?

Try putting a couple miles of bad road behind you while climbing into the high country to stalk brook trout at a remote mountain lake.

Cabresto Lake above Questa in scenic northern New Mexico is hard to reach but well worth the effort.

The 15-acre lake at 9,500 feet is surrounded by towering mountaintops and provides a peaceful place to escape life’s challenges for a day.

With very limited camping and two miles of narrow, twisty, rocky road to negotiate, the lake sees far fewer visitors than its popular cousin in the valley below, Eagle Rock Lake.

But those willing to make the trip are greeted by a postcard picture scene amid the cool, lofty pines found on the outskirts of the nearby Latir Peak Wilderness.

Self-sustaining populations of colorful brook and cutthroat trout await anglers in the clear, deep waters of the impounded lake.

The steep slopes around the lake can make getting around difficult but like the rest of the venture here, it’s worth the effort.

Anglers equipped with a spin casting rig armed with a Pistol Pete, wooley booger or bead-head below a bubble can be very effective here. But casting a fly line to rising fish could be troublesome for some due to the cramped confines of the shoreline. The creek above and below the lake is far more suited for fly-fishing.

And while anglers love the place and account for most visits, many backpackers and day trippers use the trailhead to hike into the aspen groves and alpine meadows found in the surrounding wilderness.

The altitude here can leave some flatlanders breathless so taking a few days to acclimatize before visiting might be necessary.

A lone vault toilet stands in the lakeside parking lot and visitors can help keep it clean and usable by bringing one’s own toiletries and cleaning supplies.

There are a few hardscrabble, primitive campsites to be found near the parking lot and a few others are carved out on the cliffside overlooking over the dam and creek below.

Those hardy enough to spend a night here should be extra mindful of keeping a clean campsite to avoid attracting wildlife. The surrounding wilderness is home to lots of bears, mountain lions, coyotes, skunks and raccoons. Pack out your trash to help keep it clean and usable for others.

Just getting to Questa is part of the journey with travelers apt to come across plenty of great scenery along the way.

Those heading north to Questa on N.M. 68 through the Rio Grande Gorge between Espanola and Taos will find many tempting spots to stop along the river.

A great side trip along the way includes jumping off N.M. 68 at Pilar and following the river to the Taos Junction Bridge.

The Rio Grande as seen from the Taos Junction Bridge.

After crossing the bridge the road turns to dirt and climbs to the top of the canyon wall. Low slung, passenger cars navigate this road all the time so don’t be afraid to continue. At the top the road returns to asphalt and then splits with one branch continuing to head north along the Rio Grande Gorge. Along the way there are plenty of pull-offs that lead down to the canyon’s edge where the views can be spectacular. Those lucky enough may spy a group of bighorn sheep climbing the canyon walls or resting among the bushes on top.

Travelers continue down the road to its intersection with U.S. 64 where they can then get back to the other side of the river by crossing the Rio Grande Gorge bridge.

Visitors can park at the well-kept rest area here and walk out onto the bridge for even more spectacular scenery before continuing on to Questa. Stepping out onto the 600-foot high bridge and looking over the railing at the river far below is not for the faint of heart. This side trip can be made either going to or coming back from Questa. Consult a map for more details.

The Rio Grande, 600 feet below as seen from the Gorge Bridge.

Much of New Mexico's Outdoors Under Coronavirus Quarantine

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 20:49:00 +0000

Much of New Mexico’s great outdoors including many public campgrounds remain closed due to the Coronavirus Crisis and non-residents are banned from using state parks.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered schools and many businesses closed and the public to stay home during the crisis.

But she has acknowledged folks still need to get outdoors to exercise and asks they continue social distancing and other precautions while doing so.

“You can go outside but you must do it cautiously and there are best practices,” Gov. Lujan Grisham stated in a recent news release. “Avoid crowded trailheads and parking lots, and don’t carpool with people outside your family unit.”

Some guidelines to follow while venturing outdoors include:

Stay close to home. Try to limit outdoor recreation to your immediate neighborhood. When traveling avoid other people, limit stops at open businesses and practice preventative measures. Wear a facemask and wash hands often.

Be cool. Avoid risky outdoor recreational activities to avoid getting hurt and needing rescue. Take a leisurely hike instead of going rock climbing or mountain biking and give our emergency responders, law enforcement and health care workers a break.

Check for closures. Visit the various land management agencies’ websites before venturing out to public lands. Most open spaces are closed right now to protect the public and agency staff. Visit the state’s Outdoor Recreation Division website at www.nmoutside.com for links and lists of closures.

Avoid others. Try to limit your recreation to off hours or days to avoid others. Stay away from popular trailheads that are typically crowded and stay closer to home. Get some exercise but stay safe.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find most of the lands managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Forest Service (NFS) are still open to the public but some campgrounds, trail heads and roads might be closed. A limited number of state parks have been opened as of May 1 but out-of-state visitors are banned from using them. Visit http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/ for more information. Do your homework before venturing out. Campers are advised that campfires are currently prohibited due to fire danger.

When venturing out make sure to wash hands often, wear a facemask and stay at least six feet away from others to minimize possible exposure to the Coronavirus. Out-of-state visitors are required to quarantine in place for two weeks when visiting New Mexico.

In the meantime visit our library to read great stories and view fabulous pictures of many of New Mexico’s best outdoor recreational activities to better prepared to enjoy them when the crisis is over.

Escape Winter's Grip with a Pancho Villa State Park Roadtrip

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 00:34:00 +0000

Statute of Pancho Villa in the Mexican border town of Palomas.

When winter has its icy grip on northern New Mexico it’s time to make a beeline for the border.

A visit to Pancho Villa State Park in the warm, sunny border town of Columbus makes for a great winter get away.

The park features plenty of roomy campsites and clean restrooms and a remarkable museum dedicated to the real Mexican invasion of the United States back in 1916.

Pancho Villa State Park Museum.

During the early morning hours of that historic day about 500 of revolutionary leader Pancho Villa’s troops snuck across the U.S. border and attacked the sleepy town and Army garrison stationed at Columbus New Mexico.

Historical accounts speculate as to the attack’s purpose ranging from Villa’s need for military and other supplies or in revenge for American meddling in Mexico’s revolution.

The attack was repulsed though leaving many of the invaders and a few villagers and some soldiers dead. The U.S. Army then launched its own invasion into Mexico in search of Villa but the Army expedition returned home empty-handed after a year.

The story is better told in viewing the documentary film and reading the interpretive displays within the park’s museum. Visitors will find a full size replica of an early model biplane hanging in the spacious museum, a restored military truck and display cases featuring firearms, uniforms and other items from the era.

Display in the Pancho Villa State Park museum.

Outside the museum visitors will find one of the Army’s armored trucks on display and more interpretive signs along trails around the park which was once known as Camp Furlong.

The park is popular with travelers known locally as “snowbirds” and is reported to be busiest during the winter months. Unfortunately several telephone calls to park management seeking further information about the park and its operations were not returned.

During a recent visit plenty of spaces with hookups were still available even on a Friday afternoon. A $10 tent site came with a covered shelter, picnic table and fire ring. It should be noted that the park’s proximity to the nearby highway and the ease with which sound travels across the desert could prove bothersome to some tent campers.

Tent site at Pancho Villa State Park.

Columbus, a town of about 1,600, boasts a restored railroad station, U.S. Customs House and several other historic buildings from its vibrant past. Visitors and residents can eat at several different and very good restaurants, shop at the grocery and liquor store and get gas at the town’s convenience store.

Tourism, agriculture, retail trade and government employment account for much of the economy of the region. The city of Deming and Interstate-10 is about 30 miles north of Columbus and the Mexican border town of Palomas is about three miles south on N.M.11.

Visitors to the small, friendly Mexican town of Palomas will find an imposing statute of Villa astride a stallion leading a charge with pistol in hand in front of the town’s municipal building.

Main Street in Palomas, Mexico

Visitors also may encounter whistle blowing adults in reflective vests hustling along busloads of children returning from school in Columbus. The kids were born in the United States but live in Mexico and attend school in Columbus as American citizens.

Many Americans frequent Palomas to get cheaper prescription drugs and dental work or shop at The Pink Store. The landmark corner store features a dizzying array of arts and crafts, tax free liquor and great food and drinks. Visitors may even be handed a complimentary margarita upon entering.

American tourists, Bill Diven and Karl Moffatt of New Mexico, enjoy a margarita inside the renowned "Pink Store" at Palomas, Mexico.

After roaming the streets and shops of Palomas, Americans returning to the U.S. may need little more than a

valid New Mexico driver’s license to get back into the country. However, custom checkpoint officers say publicly that they would rather see a passport or at the very least a birth certificate along with a driver’s license.

Columbus has a strong U.S. Border Patrol presence due to its proximity to Mexico. It is also home to part of the Trump administration’s controversial border wall.

About 47 miles of 30-foot tall, thick steel fence is being installed between the New Mexico border towns of Santa Teresa and Columbus, says Border Patrol Agent and Spokesperson, Ramiro Cordero.

The border wall under construction in February, 2020 between Santa Teresa and Columbus N.M.

Visitors to the area can easily find the border wall about 25 miles east of Columbus off N.M. 9 at Dona Ana County Road A-1. The wall can be found a mile down the dirt road on public land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Cordero acknowledged that the area is open to the public but recommended anyone visiting to see the wall might want to let the local Border Patrol Office know just to avoid any potential problems.

Despite the daunting sea of vast desert here the border is routinely crossed illegally because of its close proximity to highways running parallel on either side, Cordero says.

In the past all that stood in the way was a four strand barbed wire fence. In 2008 squat “Normandy” style vehicle barriers were installed. Now it’s 30-feet tall “Bollard” fencing, spaced steel tubes filled with rebar and concrete and topped with a flat steel section.

The construction work also will include installation of an all-weather road along the wall, buried fiber optic cables, better sensors and other surveillance equipment to help deter illegal border crossings, Cordero says.

During a recent visit to the area the border wall could be seen towering in the distance as it rose from the desert. Standing right next to it revealed just how daunting a structure it is.

Those visiting the area to enjoy all the borderlands have to offer area will find several other state parks nearby including City of Rocks and Rockhound State. Visit New Mexico State Parks’ website for more information.

View of Cookes Peak from Luna County Road 019 off N.M. 26 between Hatch and Deming N.M.

Winter Trout Fishing on the Rio Chama Below El Vado Dam

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 23:30:00 +0000

Toner Mitchell shows off a fine example of the resident brown trout that can be found during the winter in the Rio Chama below El Vado Dam.

(Originally published 2012, updated and republished 12/26/2019)

In the dead of winter when most anglers are yearning for a fight with a feisty trout there are only a few places one can try in northern New Mexico.

But for those seeking the solitude of a lonely stretch of river, incredible scenery and the possibility of catching a fat fish, then the Rio Chama below El Vado Dam is where it’s at.

Located just a couple hours north of Santa Fe off one of the most scenic highways in the state lies a secluded stretch of the Rio Chama where trout fishing can be had in the midst of winter.

During a mid-week, early February trip we found the river free of any other anglers and caught a couple of fine examples of the big trout that lie in wait in the murky waters below the dam.

Anglers will find up to six miles of good fishing on the river below El Vado dam as it carves its way through a deep, wild canyon before being confined again by the dam and lake at Abiquiu.

Designated a federally protected Wild and Scenic River for 25 miles below the dam at El Vado, the river is popular among rafters, canoeists, kayakers during the spring, summer and fall months.

The river is then frequently running high to supply downstream irrigation demands and provide an adequate flow for river runners.

But in the winter when the gates are shut down and the water drops, anglers in the know make the trip to this stretch of water to enjoy its fabled fishing.

“This is a place where anglers really need to dial back their expectations, though,” says Toner Mitchell, veteran fishing guide, former manager of the Reel Life fly shop and a Santa Fe native. “It’s the kind of river where if you catch a trout, then you’ve had a good day.”

Mitchell, now the state's public lands coordinator for Trout Unlimited, recommends anglers interested in fishing the Rio Chama below El Vado dam familiarize themselves with some basic winter angling techniques.

Those fishing with a spin-casting rig will find that baits like worms and salmon eggs drifted under a bubble may work much better than using a spinning lure due to the sluggishness of trout during the cold winter months.

The same applies to fly fishermen and women.

Egg and worm patterns presented at the proper depth and methodically dead drifted through a target area may work much better than stripping a streamer through a pool, Mitchell says.

But regardless of the fishing gear used, the real key to success on the Rio Chama in winter may have more to do with the weather than anything else.

Being prepared to hit the river when the weather turns mild during breaks between storms and cold fronts is critical to catching fish when they’re feeding, Mitchell says.

The trout may then be found loitering at the tail end of a pool where a good, dead drift is essential for attracting one’s attention or they may be feeding up in the shallow riffle just above the pool.

That’s why it’s crucial to methodically fish an entire segment of water before moving on, Mitchell says.

It’s also very important to use a proper weight to get the fly or bait down into the zone where the fish are holding, Mitchell says.

Too much weight and your offering may drift right under the trout while too little may put it out of their reach.

“Sometimes you have to literally hit them on the head with it before they’ll bite,” Mitchell says.

And changing weight while also adjusting the length of a strike indicator, bubble or bobber can often be more significant than what fly, bait, or lure is being used, Mitchell noted.

Anglers should also be prepared to deal with the Rio Chama’s notoriously slick streambed where studded, felt-soled wading boots are highly recommended.

Anglers venturing into the canyon should also be prepared for a day outdoors by dressing in layers, carrying plenty of water and having an emergency space blanket, fire starter and a couple of high energy bars on hand - just in case.

It should be noted that the state record brown trout came out of the Rio Chama and can still be seen mounted on the wall of the El Vado Ranch store, says owner Dave Cooper.

Measuring in at 35.5-inches in length and weighing just over 20 pounds, the monster brown trout was caught with a live minnow by G.T. Colgrove of Decatur, TX, on July 8, 1946, Cooper says.

Cooper, 65, grew up by the river on the 100-acre ranch his parents owned and says big trout are still routinely pulled out of its waters with the average brown trout measures about 17 inches and some being caught as big as 28 inches.

“It’s still one of the best fisheries in the state,” Cooper says with pride.

El Vado Ranch offers anglers parking on the river at $5 a day and sells some tackle and groceries in its store.

Fully furnished log cabins are also available for those who might want to stay the night after a hard day of fishing.

Cooper said anglers who need something might have to go looking for him as he is frequently not in the office and out on the property instead during the winter months.

And while the Rio Chama continues to produce excellent fishing year after year a study of the river’s health is underway, says Steve Harris of the non-profit Rio Grande Restoration Project and owner of the rafting company Far Flung Adventures.

And negotiations with the governmental agencies that own and control the river’s water is underway too which will hopefully lead to improvements on a number of different fronts.

“They recognize things can be improved,” Harris says.

For instance, the brown trouts’ reproduction rates could improve greatly by simply altering the water delivery schedule to keep trout spawning beds sufficiently wet during critical fall months, Harris noted.

Those and other suggestions are part of ongoing discussions with a number of agencies including the Bureau of Reclamation which operates the dam and appears receptive to revising its operations to improve conditions on the river, Harris says.

For more information about the project see the Rio Grande Restoration Project’s latest newsletters Chama Flow Report # 1 and Chama Flow Report # 2. and visit their website for updates at www.riogranderestoration.org.

IF YOU GO: From Santa Fe take US 84/285 north to Espanola. Continue on US 84 north to the blinking yellow light at the crossroad of NM 531 near the village of Tierra Amarilla. Turn left onto NM 531 and follow past Escalante High School to the intersection of NM 112 and turn left again. Follow to the turn off for El Vado Ranch just before reaching the dam.

Even the stocked rainbow trout can grow big on the Rio Chama below El Vado Dam.

Originally published 2/13/2012- Updated 12/2013 and 12/26/2019. Republished 12/26 2019.

Visit Bosque del Apache for great fall bird watching and Festival of the Cranes

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 20:42:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Thousands of migrating birds are back at the Bosque del Apache and fall is a great time to visit the refuge and enjoy the spectacular wildlife display.

“The show is on,” says Chris Leeser of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. “Now is the perfect time to come and enjoy the fall colors along with all the birds.”

The 57,000 acre wetland refuge provides migrating waterfowl a place to stop, rest and feed during their travels south for the winter.

Many cranes, geese and ducks stay on at the refuge where food and water is abundant and there’s plenty of open space.

Visitors to the refuge especially in the morning and evening will enjoy watching large groups of birds taking off and landing amid a symphony bird calls.

Other wildlife also live on the refuge and visitors may see coyotes stalking the flocks, turkeys strutting or deer grazing in the fields.

The refuge features a popular 12-mile long auto tour route that wends its way among the marshes, ponds and fields of the refuge.

The refuge also features numerous hiking trails and roadside viewing areas. There is no camping or overnight parking allowed on the refuge. Pets are not allowed outside of vehicles from Oct. 1 through March 31. The refuge is open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The entrance fee is $5. Visit the refuge’s website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Bosque_del_Apache/ for more information or call them at 575-835-1828.

Those traveling to the refuge may want to save their appetite for when they get there as the nearby town of San Antonio features three of New Mexico’ best green chile cheeseburger joints, the Owl, Buckhorn and Crane cafes.

Next month the refuge will host the 32^nd annual Festival of the Cranes from Nov. 20 through Nov. 23 with more than 130 events scheduled.

The festival some call New Mexico’s balloon fiesta for birdwatchers draws thousands of visitors from all over the world who participate in photography classes, seminars, tours and other activities. Visit the website www.friendsofbosquedelapache.org for more information and registration.

Many visitors come to photograph the cranes known for their artful dancing and posturing while sweeping vistas, deep blue skies and immense cloud formations serve as the backdrop.

The refuge is about 95 miles south of Albuquerque off Interstate 25. While in the area the public is welcome to visit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s 17,000 acre Bernardo Wildlife Area where crops are grown to feed migrating birds. The area features a three-mile auto tour loop and several elevated viewing platforms where visitors can watch birds.

New Director of state Outdoor Recreation Division to speak at Outdoors Economic Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 22:59:00 +0000

A lone angler fishes on the Rio Costilla in the Valle Vidal of northern New Mexico.

Silver City will host an Outdoor Recreation Economic Conference this weekend where promotion and support of the state’s industry will be the primary topic.

The conference at the Grant County Conference
Center will feature seminars and speakers from numerous outdoor related federal and state agencies, private businesses, advocacy organizations and political leaders.

The conference will include panel discussions about successful community and company programs that promote outdoor recreation opportunities, eco and wildlife tourism, state promotional resources, benefits of trails, sustainable tourism, federal partnerships with land management agencies and equal access to the outdoors.

The public is invited and more information about attending can be found on the website www.outdooreconomicsnm.com.

With over 40 percent of New Mexico’s land in public hands, great weather and friendly people, the state has long been an outdoor recreation mecca.

But the industry as a whole has long suffered from neglect due to its diversity and lack of a trade association.

That is slated to change now that the state has created an office of Outdoor Recreation under the State Economic Development Department.

The office’s new director, Axie Navas, who managed digital media and marketing for Outside magazine in Santa Fe is scheduled to speak at the conference.

Navas said in a recent interview that her first priorities will be to take stock of the industry, get out and meet the players and develop a strategy for helping support and promote them.

The industry is diverse, including hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, camping, sightseeing, bird watching, golfing, skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, motorized off-roading and other outdoor activities.

Taking inventory of all the state’s businesses, agencies and others involved in the outdoor industry is already underway and plans to provide digital media and other promotion support also are being considered, Navas said.

The state’s outdoor recreational industry brings in about $10 billion in consumer spending each year accounting for an estimated 10 percent of the state’s gross domestic product, according to the recent academic and business studies.

The industry supports close to 100,000 jobs across the state and generates almost $3 billion in payroll while providing more than $600 million in taxes to government coffers.

The fly fishing industry on the San Juan River at Navajo Dam alone produces up to $30 million in business every year while anglers spend about $268 million statewide, according to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reports.

Other areas of the outdoor industry are more difficult to quantify due to a lack of information and studies. That also could change now that the outdoor industry has an office within state government dedicated to it.

Volunteer on National Public Lands Day

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 12:40:00 +0000

Volunteers will find plenty to do and places to go to help celebrate Public Lands Day in New Mexico this Saturday.

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is hosting a free cookout at Hopewell Lake in northern New Mexico for volunteers and the public as it celebrates completion of 100 miles of trail through the Carson National Forest.

“This was a huge effort over the last decade involving so many people,” says Amanda Wheelock of the Coalition based in Golden, Colo. “Now its time to celebrate.”

Volunteers will help do some low impact maintenance on the trial near the lake before settling down to indulge in hotdogs, cake and revelry. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Camping, fishing and hiking are available. Hopewell Lake is off U.S. 64 between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras in the Carson National Forest.

The 3,100 mile trail passes through New Mexico as it follows the Continental Divide between the Mexican and Canadian borders.

Volunteers can visit several other lakes around the region to help out on projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Entrance fees also are being waived for the day at all of their sites.

Abiquiu Lake

At Abiquiu Lake they’ll be putting up a new playground, cleaning up the shoreline and creating pollinator gardens. A free night’s camping is being offered to volunteers involved in that project.

At Cochiti Lake they’ll be planting cottonwood and willow trees along the shoreline near the swim beach and boat ramp to provide more shade and habitat for wildlife.

Volunteers also will be helping clean up the shoreline, campgrounds and roadways at Conchas and Santa Rosa Lakes and enjoying a free lunch for their effort. Visit the Corps Albuquerque District Office website for more details.

The Bureau of Land Management and the state’s National Forests are all hosting various events at different locations, dates and times. Consult their websites to learn more and participate.

And Public Lands Day means the state’s national parks are offering free admission to places such as Bandelier, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Fort Union, Pecos and others. See their website for more information.

And while New Mexico’s state parks don’t have any special events scheduled for National Public Lands Day, a visit to any one of their more than 30 parks would still be a great way to celebrate the occasion. See their website to find a park.

New Mexico has an abundance of public land with over 40 percent of the state owned and enjoyed by the people.

Visit Bandelier National Monument for a Great Late Summer Escape

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 21:00:00 +0000

Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier National Monument.

With summer waning and vacation crowds thinning it’s a great time to visit one of New Mexico’s many scenic historic sites such as Bandelier National Monument.

Just a short drive from Albuquerque or Santa Fe the national monument showcases ancient Indian cave dwellings in a remote forested canyon.

Visitors can learn more about the people who lived in the canyon and caves as they hike among them along a 1.2 mile main loop trail. Ladders allow visitors to climb into the caves for a firsthand experience while plenty of interpretive signs are posted to provide historical context.

More adventurous guests can continue up the canyon to Alcove House where they’ll scale four sets of ladders to a large cave in the cliff face about 140 feet above the canyon floor. The dizzying heights are not for the meek of heart and make for a memorable visit.

Pole ladders lead up into caves at Bandelier National Monument. Photo courtesy of Leanne Arvila.

After a couple of hours touring the main loop trail and Alcove House many guests return to the visitor center where they can enjoy an excellent 14-minute film about the monument while relaxing in the air conditioned comfort of the monument’s auditorium.

Recently produced by award-winning National Park Service cinematographer John Grabowska, it features towering, expansive views of Bandelier, the Pajarito Plateau, the Jemez Mountains, the Valle Caldera and the Rio Grande.

The film was shot during different seasons of the year with many scenes taken by helicopter and played back in slow motion to give viewers the sense of flying over the countryside.

The park also offers plenty of other activities including demonstrations by artists from surrounding pueblos, guided hikes and evening seminars at the park’s Juniper campground amphitheater.

Visitors will find other hiking and camping opportunities within the monument by visiting the Bandelier website at https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm.

A cloud burst at Bandelier National Monument. Photo courtesy of John Gonzales of Lubbock, Texas.

The basic park entrance fee is $25 per private carload which is good for seven days and allows access to Tsankawi and other areas of the park such as Burnt Mesa.

At Tsankawi visitors can take a 1.5 mile walk along a mesa featuring numerous caves, petroglyphs and the ruins of the village of Tsankawi. Ladders are in place to allow guests to climb up to the mesa top and come down the other side. Views of the Rio Grande Valley and opposing Sange de Cristo mountains are impressive here.

The parking lot for Tsankawi is found off N.M. 4 at the intersection of the East Jemez Road, also known locally as the Los Alamos National Labs Truck Route. Visit the monument’s website and download a good map of the area at https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/tsankawi.htm.

Visitors to Bandelier are required to travel into the monument on a free shuttle bus between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Before or after that visitors can drive in. The monument is open dawn to dusk. There are exceptions including vehicles displaying a handicapped placard and for vehicles containing animals, although not pets are allowed on trails within the monument. Campers and wayward travelers park at Juniper Campground where they then take the shuttle down to the visitor’s center.

The author drives a Bandelier shuttle bus for Atomic City Transit

The shuttle buses are operated by Los Alamos County Atomic City Transit under contract with the National Park Service. The buses leave the White Rock Visitor Center off N.M. 4 every 30 minutes starting at 9 a.m. during the week and every 20 minutes on the weekends. The last bus is scheduled to leave Bandelier daily at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 5:10 p.m. on weekends. All buses stop within the park at Juniper Campground to pick up and drop off passengers.

For maps, directions and more information please visit the monument’s website at https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm or

contact them by telephone at (505) 672-3861 x517. for more information

Enchanted Circle a great New Mexico roadtrip

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 13:17:00 +0000

The visitor pavilion at Eagle Nest Lake State Park.

New Mexico’s high country is looking great after a long snowy winter and plenty of rain this summer.

And a good way to enjoy some of that scenic beauty is to take a drive along the Enchanted Circle, a 65-mile round trip from Questa through Red River, over to Eagle Nest and back to Taos.

A recent drive revealed anglers reeling in trout at recently restored Eagle Rock Lake off N.M. 38 just outside the town of Questa. The picturesque lake is stocked regularly and is a great place to cast a line before heading over to Red River.

Eagle Rock Lake.

A quintessential summer resort town, Red River offers so much to do one needs to stop and ponder it all before proceeding. The patio at Red River Brewing Company overlooking busy Main Street offers great spot to do that.

Tucked in a canyon surrounded by heavily forested mountains, outdoor recreation and the visitors it brings are the primary focus of Red River’s economy.

Main Street of Red River N.M.

A walk about the teaming tourist town reveals a go-cart track to race around while the nearby ski area lift offers a lazier and more scenic ride.

Horseback rides, off-road vehicle rentals and guided fishing trips can be had while plenty of restaurants, saloons, gift shops, sporting goods stores and art galleries round out the town’s offerings.

The area features numerous campgrounds, motels and hotels for visitors to stay in and attracts many guests from nearby plains states such as Texas and Oklahoma.

Upon leaving Red River, the Enchanted Circle tour continues with a climb over Bobcat Pass at 9,800 feet and winds down into the rural Moreno Valley.

Bobcat Pass.

The valley had once been a booming gold mining area with the city of Elizabethtown at its heart. At the time it boasted a population of 7,000 with saloons, gambling halls, theatres, businesses and several newspapers.

Now the gold and the town are gone and the valley is a quiet place dominated by sprawling ranches and expansive views.

The highway ends at Eagle Nest where the local state park and its beautiful visitor center features a beautiful outdoor pavilion overlooking the lake. This spot is one of the state’s best kept secrets and is a great place to stop for a picnic and some fishing.

The state park also features a campground for those who might want spend the night while the nearby town offers overnight accommodations, gas and groceries, fishing supplies and a classic western style saloon.

The valley also is home to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park where visitors can learn more about those who served and died in that war.

The Enchanted Circle commences on U.S. 64, up and over 9,100 foot Palo Flechado Pass and down through a twisty canyon along which the Rio Fernando de Taos flows. At the intersection of N.M. 585 travelers can head west to reunite with N.M. 68 and take that road back home.

Valles Caldera Backcountry Open to Motorists

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 13:07:00 +0000

Editors note: The backcountry is open this summer too but you'll need a fishing and vehicle permit from the NPS to go angling. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit their website for more info.

The Valles Caldera National Preserve’s backcountry is open again to motorists this summer providing free access to prime fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities.

“The public enjoys the convenience of driving into the preserve,” says Kimberly DeVall, Chief of Interpretation and Education for the National Park Service’s preserve in the Jemez Mountains. “And we’re happy to be able to provide them that opportunity so they can enjoy all the preserve has to offer.”

The backcountry normally opens up by mid-May but was delayed until just recently this season due to road repairs, says DeVall.

The preserve issues up to 35 backcountry motor vehicle permits daily to motorists visiting the 89,000 acre preserve. The permits are issued on a first come, first served basis at no cost. The preserve is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. No permits will be issued after 3:30 p.m. and all motorists must check out by 5:30 p.m. There is no camping available on the preserve.

DeVall says they rarely run out of permits during the week but on the weekends they tend to go quickly.

Visitors will find 26 miles of dirt and gravel roads to travel within the vast backcountry featuring plenty of hiking and biking trails and great fishing on San Antonio and Jaramillo Creeks. No pets are allowed in the backcountry.

A recent visit to the preserve during the week revealed only a handful of vehicles in the backcountry and most of them belonged to anglers. Motorist must remain on established roads and park in only in designated areas. Portable toilets are provided.

The two backcountry creeks flow through great, open meadows and are noted for their deep undercut banks where trout can hide. A two fish bag limit is in effect on the preserve, a valid state license is required and only artificial flies and lures with single, barbless hooks are permitted. Waders are not needed but a good hat, long sleeves and plenty of sunscreen and bug repellant is recommended. Fishing supplies and groceries can be purchased in the nearby town of La Cueva.

Some visitors to the preserve may enjoy just driving into the backcountry for some sightseeing and a picnic. San Antonio Cabin is a scenic spot with picnic tables for use and visitors are reminded to clean up after themselves.

The preserve also is home to many wildlife species including elk, bear, coyote, eagles and turkeys and the best viewing opportunities are in the morning and evening.

The preserve can be found off N.M.4 between Jemez Springs and Los Alamos. For more information about the Valles Caldera National Preserve please their website at https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.html or call the preserve at 575-829-4100.

Shady Lakes Still the Place to Fish in Albuquerque

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 12:47:00 +0000

One of the bass ponds at Shady Lakes where plenty of largemouth bass lurk under the lily pads.

Shady Lakes in Albuquerque’s north valley is still a great place for kids to learn to fish or for more experienced anglers to stalk bass.

The private ponds offer largemouth bass, bluegill and trout fishing under the shade of mature cottonwood trees and in the shadow of the nearby Sandia Mountains.

The scenic setting is made all that more eye pleasing this time of year by the abundance of colorful blooms dotting the water lilies blanketing the bass ponds.

The Phillips family has been operating the fishing preserve since 1952 when former Albuquerque advertising salesman, Jim Phillips, bought the former bait fish farm and converted it to a private fishing park.

Ron Joseph "RJ" Annichiarico, 67, of Rio Rancho shows off a nice largemouth bass he was caught while fishing at Shady Lakes.

Guests do not need a state issued license to fish at Shady Lakes. Anglers pay $11.95 a day for catch and release bass fishing while angling for trout costs $8.95 for adults and $6.95 for children under the age of 12. All trout caught must be kept at a cost of .75 cents per inch.

The park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the season from spring through fall.

Jill Mikles, 66, took over management of the park from her sister Jan who left several years ago following a long stint at the helm. The park continues to operate while remaining available for sale with an asking price of $2.5 million.

Mikles said the fishing ponds will receive a fresh supply of young bass this summer along with a

large quantity of panhead minnows that they prey upon. Trout are re-supplied as needed on an ongoing basis.

During a recent visit a grandmother could be seen helping a passel of kids bait up their hooks and providing sage angling advice.

Kids have been learning to fish at Shady Lakes for generations.

Other anglers waited in the shade of the overhanging trees for a bite from one of the largemouth bass lurking under the lily pads.

Still others lounged in camp chairs enjoying a cold drink while watching the ever-present groups of children playing around the park.

After more than fifty years Shady Lakes is still one of the Albuquerque area’s best family friendly, outdoor recreational destinations that should be enjoyed while it still exists.

Shady Lakes is at 11033 Hwy 313 NW just across the road from the Sandia Pueblo Roadrunner train station near the roundabout at the intersection of Second and Fourth Streets and Roy Ave.

State Parks building a new tent campground on the San Juan River

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Sat, 11 May 2019 19:52:00 +0000

The San Juan River at Simon Canyon below Navajo Dam - Spring 2019.

Campers will soon have a new place to pitch a tent on the banks of the San Juan River at Navajo Lake State Park.

“We’ve got some of the best fly-fishing in the Southwest and lots of visitors asking for tent sites so we’re excited to finally be able provide them some right on the river,” said Chris Smith, superintendent at Navajo Lake State Park.

The state park in northwestern New Mexico features the state’s top trout fishery in the river below Navajo Dam. The reservoir above is regarded by many as the state’s best smallmouth bass fishery.

The park saw over a half million visitors in fiscal year 2018 with about half of them visiting the five miles of river within the park, Smith said.

The park offers camp sites on the river at Cottonwood Campground where the availability of a dump station and full hookups of water and electricity at all 48 sites draws many visitors with travel trailers or motor homes.

But the persistent demand for tent sites resulted in plans to build a new “dry” campground on 66 acres of state owned land on the south side of the river just upstream of the Crusher Hole day use area.

Site of the new dry campground on Navajo Dam Lake State Park's Johnson Tract.

The new campground should be complete by 2021 and is slated to feature two vault toilets and 20 pull-through sites each with a shelter, campfire ring and picnic table.

Native shade trees and other vegetation will be planted throughout the campground, Smith said. A new pump house and acequia has already been constructed on the site to draw water from the river for irrigation purposes.

Cost to construct the new campground is estimated at $1.1 million with much of the funding coming from a grant through the recently re-enacted federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling are earmarked for the fund which provides grants to purchase land for outdoor recreation and other public benefit.

The San Juan River has long been a top trout fishing destination for anglers due to a huge population of large trout of and many miles of public access. The river’s draw brings in an estimated $30 to $40 million annually to the state’s economy with much of that generated from of out-of-state anglers, according to economic and other published studies.

Fisheries biologist Marc Wethington of the N.M. Dept. of Game & Fish shows off just one of the many beautiful trout that can found lurking in the waters on the San Juan River below Navajo Dam.

Good snowpack in 2019 should create great conditions for rafting, kayaking and canoeing

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 23:30:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of New Wave Rafting.

With so much snow in the mountains this winter rafting guides and outfitters are expecting a great runoff season.

“It should be a banner year on the Rio Grande Box,” says Steve Miller, president of the New Mexico River Outfitters Association.

And that means it should be a great year to take a hair-raising, white-knuckle ride guaranteed to make you feel alive.

The “Box” runs through a deep, rocky gorge in the Río Grande del Norte National Monument between the John Dunn Bridge at Arroyo Hondo to the Taos Junction Bridge above Pilar.

It’s 16 miles of whitewater thrills and chills and one of northern New Mexico’s best outdoor adventures, Miller says.

Whitewater enthusiasts from around the country converge on the “Box” during high water years and this year is shaping up to be one of them.

Snow pack surveys by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation Service (USDA NCRS) show well above average levels in the mountains of southern Colorado and New Mexico. Visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/nm/home/for more detailed information.

When all that snowpack melts and flows downstream through the state’s rivers, creeks and streams it produces great conditions for rafters, kayakers and canoeists.

Those interested in the sport can get a taste of all the fun by booking a trip with an experienced outfitter through www.raftnewmexico.org, Miller says.

Miller, who operates New Wave Rafting out of Embudo, says there are many different kinds of rafting trips to enjoy on the Rio Grande.

Rio Grande's "Race Course."

There’s a fast, furious five-mile run featuring plenty of thrills that can be taken in the morning or afternoon on the “Race Course” between Quartzite and the County Line takeout.

Those more interested in sightseeing including wildlife can take a gentler, seven-mile float through the Orilla Verde Recreation Area between the Taos Junction Bridge and the Quartzite take out at Pilar.

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep at Pilar.

There are also backcountry trips on the Chama River and angling adventures as the season progresses through the summer, Miller notes.

Last year was one of the worst years on record for snowpack and the lack of runoff left many in the rafting industry struggling.

“We’re looking to rebound this year,” Miller says.

The great snowpack this year also should produce some much needed relief for many of the state’s reservoirs.

Reservoir levels monitored by the NCRS show many are at well below their average capacity and in need of replenishment.

The great winter snows combined with a good monsoon season this summer should go a long way towards reducing the drought conditions that have repeatedly plagued the state in recent years.

Historic lodge, cottages and cabins at Elephant Butte Lake make for a great getaway

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:13:00 +0000

The historic Dam Site Lodge at Elephant Butte Lake.

History, hot springs and fantastic fishing make a stay in the lodge or cabins at Elephant Butte’s Dam Site a great spring getaway.

“We absolutely loved staying here,” said Brenda Provins of LaPeer Michigan who spent six weeks with her husband staying in one of the Dam Site’s recently restored historic cottages. “It was a great vacation.”

Visitors to the Dam Site also can spend a night in one of eight well-appointed rooms within the historic lodge or rent one of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built rock cabins overlooking the lake formed behind the

imposing dam.

A lodge room featuring artwork by Degrazia.

Neal Brown is president of Lago Rico Inc. which operates the Dam Site lodging and three marinas on the lake under license with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Brown and his crew of craftsmen have been restoring the Dam Site’s historic buildings since taking over the operation from New Mexico State Parks in 2015.

“It’s been a labor of love,” he says of his efforts to restore and improve the accommodations offered at the Dam Site. “But it’s worth it to preserve one of the prettiest places in the southwest.”

Visitors relaxing on the lodge’s veranda or a cabin porch are afforded a great view of the lake’s namesake, Elephant Butte.

Elephant Butte.

And it’s just a quick drive down the lake’s edge to fish for bass and other species, especially during the spring when angling conditions improve.

Above the lodge and cabins guests will find a park constructed by CCC workers featuring barbecue grills and shelters with even more great views of the lake.

Evidence of the CCC handiwork during the Great Depression can be seen everywhere at the Dam Site which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Statute honoring CCC workers.

The CCC was a Depression-era government program that provided unemployed men jobs and housing in work camps around the country. There are many such sites in New Mexico and for more information please visit the State Historian’s website at http://newmexicohistory.org/people/great-depression-and-new-deal-in-new-mexico-1929.

Guests at the Dam Site will find plenty to do in the area.

In the nearby town of Truth or Consequences visitors can bask in the waters from natural hot springs offered at several different establishments.

A private hot tub with a view overlooking the Rio Grande at Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences.

The town also boasts one of the state’s oldest and best steakhouses, plenty of great shopping and the Geronimo Springs Museum.

The nearby town of Elephant Butte caters to anglers and offers many different access points to the lake throughout the state park.

A drive around the surrounding countryside reveals miles of remote desert and expansive scenery in every direction.

Spaceport America in the desert outside of Elephant Butte Lake.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation operates the dam and is pleased with the restoration work Brown is doing to the historic structures.

“He has taken on a lot of this work on his own, invested a lot and is doing a fantastic job there,” said Mary Carlson of the Public Affairs office of the federal Bureau of Reclamation in Albuquerque.

A restored CCC built cabin at the Dam Site.

Those interested in helping with the restoration cause need only rent a room at the lodge or a cabin or cottage. The Dam Site also offers campsites for recreational vehicles. For more information and reservations visit www.thedamsite.com.

Interior of a CCC built cabin under restoration at the Dam Site.

Valles Caldera a Wonderful Winter Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:53:00 +0000

The winter is a great time to visit the Valles Caldera National Preserve especially when it's blanketed in a sea of gleaming snow.

“Anytime is a good time to visit the preserve,” says Kimberly DeVall, Chief of Interpretation and Education for the National Park Service’s preserve in the Jemez Mountains. “But when we have all this snow it’s really special, simply serene.”

The 89,000-acre preserve off N.M. 4 near the village of La Cueva between Jemez Springs and Los Alamos is a great place to go cross country skiing, snowshoeing or just sightseeing when winter delivers snowy weather.

And it’s made even better because the preserve isn’t charging its usual $25 entrance fee again this winter.

Those seeking the kind of quiet solitude only a wide expanse of snow-covered pasture and deep forest can provide will find just that at the preserve.

During a recent visit one could see people on skis and snowshoes dotting the huge snow-covered pasture formed by a collapsed volcano.

Inside the visitor center, found a couple miles off the highway, volunteers answered questions and handed out maps to guests while a stack of logs blazed away in the fireplace. The center offers snacks, beverages, books and gifts as well as snowshoe and ski pole rentals.

Visitors can ski or hike to the nearby “cabin district” where the park’s headquarters, employee housing and several rustic log cabins are nestled among the trees. Numerous movies and televisions shows have been shot at the Caldera including “Longmire” which features these iconic cabins.

A visit here provides the opportunity to listen to the breeze in the trees, enjoy the scent of pine in the cold crisp air and take in some spectacular views.

During warmer months visitors will find herds of elk, soaring bald eagles and other wildlife to view at the preserve. There’s plenty of wild brown and rainbow trout to fish for in several creeks and rivers as well as hiking, biking and other outdoor recreation to be enjoyed.

For more information about the Valles Caldera National Preserve please their website at https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm.

The preserve was formerly the private Baca Ranch purchased by the federal government in 2000. It was originally operated as a trust overseen by a board appointed by the president of the United States. Public use was very limited under the trust and the National Park Service was later chosen to take over its operation in October 2014.

DeVall, who worked with the original trust as a recreational program manager applied for and was hired to work for the incoming National Park Service administration. She has since helped implement changes to provide greater public access to the many outdoor recreational opportunities available at the preserve.

If You Go:

From Santa Fe head north on US84/285 to Pojoaque and take State Road 502 to White Rock and then follow State Road 4 up through the mountains and upon emerging into a great, open area look for the entrance to the preserve on your right, further down the road, about 65 miles. Make a round trip of it by continuing on State Road 4 through Jemez Springs and Jemez Pueblo to State Road 550 for a quick drive down to Bernalillo and then back up to Santa Fe on I-25. Great green chile cheeseburgers and cold beer can be had in a classic New Mexico bar, the Los Ojos, in Jemez Springs.

Ice Fishing at Fenton Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Karl F. Moffatt) — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 21:32:00 +0000

Fenton Lake in the Jemez Mountains is open for ice fishing this winter.

“It’s been really great,” says Manny Sanchez, manager of Fenton Lake State Park. “We’re well stocked and people are catching plenty of fish.”

The lake hasn’t been open to ice fishing for several years but this year’s winter storms and colder temperatures have produced ice thick enough to safely support anglers, Sanchez says.

The lake has been stocked with thousands of trout in recent weeks and the fishing has been reported good with meal/wax worms, salmon eggs, spoons or other baits and lures jigged off the bottom.

It remains to be seen how long the ice will hold up so it’s best to hit this lake sooner than later. Sanchez thinks the ice which is over a foot thick should last another three weeks or so.

“It’s not busy during the week so that’s a good time to come too,” he says. Weekends have been busy at the popular park that serves outdoor recreation enthusiasts from the Albuquerque, Los Alamos, Espanola and Santa Fe areas.

To get started all an angler needs is an axe to chip through an already existing hole and a slotted kitchen spoon to keep it clear.

“There’s already hundreds of holes drilled out there,” Sanchez says.

Anglers venturing out onto the ice might want to wear strap-on cleats as it can be very slick going, Sanchez says.

Bring a sturdy plastic bucket to carry your gear in and then sit on. Dress warmly and in layers.

Adam Vigil, 7, of Taos shows how its done at Eagle Nest Lake back in 2008.

Other than that keep the wind at your back, the sun in your face and enjoy the fishing.

The park has five camp sites with electricity available for $14 a night. Three are first come, first served and two can be reserved through the state parks reservation website at https://newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com/.

Anglers with a valid fishing license needn’t pay a $5 day use fee but will have to leave their vehicle in a lot by the park entrance and walk in.

Visit www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/ for more information about New Mexico State Parks including the latest information about conditions or call the park at (575) 829-3630.

Fishing licenses bait and tackle and groceries can be purchased at Amanda’s country store in La Cueva. Visit www.jemezcentral.com for more information about visiting the area including fishing reports and local businesses.

Other lakes open to ice fishing in northern New Mexico include Heron and Eagle Nest and Mundo on the Jicarilla Apache reservation. The Albuquerque area drains also provide good winter trout fishing.