Christmas Tree Run

[marcfj60]

The Christmas Tree run is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2. I figured we should start talking about it to work out the details. The only suggestion I had heard was Steve H. mentioning going to Cuba, getting our permits and then heading east on 126 until the pavement ends, then turning north on a forest road. Any thoughts or objections? I'm in as long as the route is easy enough for my 60. Who else is planning to go?

 

[BionicCruiser]

i hope to make it, but my band has a gig the night before at our union xmas party, so i'll be out late. Jill was talking about going, so we probably will.

Shawn

 

[Pyro-boy]

I missed the last meeting. What are the details on the meeting place?

Thanks,

Vince

 

[marcfj60]

I went to the last meeting and I still have the same questions. If we continue with Steve's suggestion, I would imagine you could meet up with us somewhere in Cuba. How much of a trek is that from Espanola?

 

[Cruisergreg]

I wouldn't think going out all the way on 126 to the Cuba district would add anything except driving time - we've often gone to that area in the winter because we knew it was open and "legal" when the Jemez routes were closed. The good news on the lack of snow is that all the FRs in the Jemez district are open, at least as of this last Saturday.

Of course all this "could" change if the weather they're talking about really moves in and the Jemez district shuts down.

 

[Beowulf]

I went to the last meeting and I still have the same questions.

It's not Friday afternoon, is it? Have we ever posted details on a run like where we're going and when we're meeting or anything else before Friday?

-Mike-
97 FZJ80

 

[SteveLCetc]

Here's what I was thinking. Rather than the same old Paliza run:

The southern contingent goes up through Cuba, then up 126 to FR 103 (mp~ 13.5), north about 8.5 miles to FR 93. The alternate route is through Jemez Springs, which cuts off about 5 miles but adds 15 miles of NM 126 dirt which could be pretty washboardy - although they did just blade the 1 mile from the intersection of 103 and 126 to the pavement to the west. That's 40 miles of 4 lane and 15 miles of 30 mph pavement vs. 35 miles of 45 mph pavement and 15 miles of (potentially washboardy) dirt. Take your pick. It might be shorter but it's definitely not faster. Gotta find another place than Walatowa to get permits though.

The northern contingent goes through Abiquiu, takes a left at the Coyote Elementary School (FR 316) then by Teakettle rock and left on 103 for about three miles - that's about 15 miles of good (non-washboardy) dirt road.

Then, up FR 93 to trees... There is also allegedly a cut off then from FR 93 to FR 70 (according to the SFNF map), which is a short cut back to Cuba, or (north) up 93 to 103 and out via Gallina.

But, this could be just a back up plan. We shouldn't make up our minds until we know what the rest of the week brings. 93 could be fun either way though.


Steve H

 

[marcfj60]

Let's make it the primary plan and then have a backup in case the weather forces a change.

 

[Cruisergreg]

...40 miles of 4 lane and 15 miles of 30 mph pavement vs. 35 miles of 45 mph pavement and 15 miles of (potentially washboardy) dirt.

Why are you suggesting so much driving? I agree that Paliza is a no-go without half a foot of snow (and it's not very friendly to un-slidered wagons) but there are a bizillion trees in the southern Jemez that you could get to without 40-some miles of interstate and 15 miles of sucking in the guy in front you's dust on graded dirt. Last weekend on Holiday Mesa we didn't see a single person and no vehicle tracks since at least the last rain, and lot's of trees. All those mesas are like that and don't involve nearly as much un-fun saddle time.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Greg -
The 15 miles is on pavement. However, as it turns out we have something else we have to do, so go ahead and take the group wherever you want.

 

[marcfj60]

(and it's not very friendly to un-slidered wagons)

Tell me about it! I don't want to go on Paliza again without a lift, bigger tires and/or or sliders.

I don't have enough familiarity with Jemez off-pavement to make any suggestions. I'm just hoping we agree on a route that's friendly to my wagon.

 

[2manycruisers]

I haven't checked much yet, but I talked to one of the foresters here yesterday. He said there are again designated xmas tree areas. He said road 280 by the Valles Caldera is a great place for trees (white fir, Doug-fir and some spruce). And without snow, there is no wheeling anyway, so I'm all for not driving too far.

David

 

[Cruisergreg]

He said there are again designated xmas tree areas.

I understand there are "suggested" areas but that the permits are district wide in the Jemez (see http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/xmas06/Jemez.pdf) so that you can cut whereever as long as the tree meets the required characteristics.

 

[marcfj60]

Great map. I've never been on 144 to the west of Valle Caldera or the upper end of 376. I would like to check either or both out. The distances don't seem that far. Plus, the San Antonio runs along 144 and the Las Vacas flows into the Guadalupe at Porter (on 376). I'd like to scope it out for summer camping and fishing. According to the topo map on TerraServer, it looks like there is a less improved road (than 144 and 376) that goes along Las Vacas to the north from Porter and eventually connects to 126. Again, I've never been on it and it may have some decent wheeling. I know the FS closes both gates at the bottom and top of 376 once the snow gets too deep. We'll have to call Wallotowa on Friday to see what is still open if this storm brings anything substantial.

 

[marcfj60]

Looks like I made a mistake reading the maps. I think 376 crosses 126 and continues north along San Antonio. 144 appears to be on the ridge just to the west of the San Antonio, so maybe there's no easy access down to the river (and a hot spring). Although, I see a dashed double line connecting the two roads right after the San Antonio comes out of the preserve.

 

[pappy]

I haven't checked much yet, but I talked to one of the foresters here yesterday. He said there are again designated xmas tree areas. He said road 280 by the Valles Caldera is a great place for trees (white fir, Doug-fir and some spruce). And without snow, there is no wheeling anyway, so I'm all for not driving too far.

David

I noticed that 280 is not in a suggested cutting area. Might be worth checking out since most folks go where told.

 

[BionicCruiser]

good news for snow. today i'm at work at about 7500-8000ft elevation, it has been snowing since early this morning and has been constant. we have 3-4" in the parking lot already. i hope the Jemez is getting the same!

 

[pappy]

good news for snow. today i'm at work at about 7500-8000ft elevation, it has been snowing since early this morning and has been constant. we have 3-4" in the parking lot already. i hope the Jemez is getting the same!

Radar has looked like this most of the day with snow to the south of Albuquerque.

OK, why can't I attach? I can't even get the window to open. I thought that was one reason we came here.

Well, five clicks later ...

 

[Beowulf]

I thought that was one reason we came here. Well, five clicks later ...

Funny, it seem instantaneous to me.

-Mike-
97 FZJ80

 

[BionicCruiser]

that little section in the crook of the Y between hwy 550 and hwy 4 looks good.

i'm at the spot directly south of the U in albuq'U'erque where you hit the squiggly line (hwy 337).