Anyone interested in chasing a train on June 4-7? (2 Viewers)

[DanS HJ-45]

Last fall for the Outlaws Run we spent some time around the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic RR (between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO). Apparently we had a blast.

So we're going to go back to the train in June.

http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=22276

You guys should come. Antonito is only 3 hours from Albuquerque, and Chama is maybe a little more, but not much. It's not hardcore wheeling by any stretch, but it is absolutely gorgeous.

Dan

 

[pappy]

What a great idea! Thanks for the invite Dan. Come-awn fellas! This is our backyard. I will check my work calendar tomorrow.

 

[Pyro-boy]

I'm in. thanks for the invite Dan!

 

[jstncse]

This sounds like a great trip

 

[Poupon]

Sorry - can't do this one - have a family function that weekend. Have fun.

 

[marcfj60]

That's my favorite place in all of Colorado. The Conejos river is one of the best fly-fishing rivers around. The mountains are stunning and there is so much opportunity for fishing, hiking, biking and even a fair amount of 4WD roads up there. I hope to some day own some property in that area. It's far enough from ABQ and Denver to not be very crowded. If I hadn't already committed to Cruise Moab and an extended tour of southern Utah, I'd be in.

 

[barrys]

I'm in, of course. Should be gorgeous there in early June after all the winter snow.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Just a bump on this one.

In the next day or two I will post the instructions on how to get tickets for the train so we are all together (not difficult).

But I'll give the basic plan for those who need some semblance of planning:

June 4: drive to the area (we are planning on camping north of Chama-ish. I will post details on finding us).
June 5: Ride the train
June 6: Drive the trails and chase the train. Very good day for photo ops.

I hope you are all as pumped as I am!

Dan

 

[DanS HJ-45]

The reservation is started.

Reservation Number:1196588
It's under my name: "Dan Silbaugh" and I put the note RISING SUN GROUP on the reservation.

It's #1: Antonito to Chama by bus, return by train on Friday, June 5.

What you need to do is call the C&TS at (888)286-2737 and add yourself to the reservation. They will take your credit card over the phone. Coach tickets are $99 for adults.

Post up once you've got yours. The railroad will assign seats the morning of the ride, so buying tickets on this reservation will put us all together.

More details: we are camping at the Rio Chama RV Campground (just 1/2 mile north of the Chama depot) on the night of Thursday June 4, will ride the train on Friday, June 5, and camp near Antonito that night.

I know Dad is coming, and he is going to drive the Blue-Jay 40 up, so there's a possibility of a bit of a cruiser caravan if anyone would like. I'm driving down from the Denver area, and will meet you guys there. I'm going to try and get to Chama as early as I can, so I can wander around the yard a bunch.

Dan

 

[alia176]

Dan,

I need some clarification please.

So, y'all are camping at Chama on June 4th, then on June 5th taking the bus to Antonito (from Chama) and riding the train back to Chama?

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Dan,

I need some clarification please.

So, y'all are camping at Chama on June 4th, then on June 5th taking the bus to Antonito (from Chama) and riding the train back to Chama?

Close.

Camping in Chama on June 4th.
Ont he morning of the 5th, we are getting up early-ish and driving to Antonito. We will then take a bus from Antonito to Chama, and ride the train from Chama to Antonito. This way we get to ride the train up Cumbres Pass out of Chama (which is a rather dramatic mechanical feat), and then when the train ride is done, we're really close to the camping area outside Antonito. so we could get settled into camp pretty early on the night of the 5th.

Make sense?

I'm assuming this is related to our emails yesterday? Give me a call if you've got more questions. I'm flying after about noon today, but otherwise will be free to chat.

Dan

 

[barrys]

Anyone want to do a Cruiser caravan to Chama? I will leave around 1 PM from Sandia Park in Blue Jay 40.

Barry

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I may have been mistaken. May be camping in the woods on the night of the 4th.

I'll work it out with Perry tomorrow (the 3rd).

If all else fails though, I'll come get folks in Chama on the night of the 4th--or be on the Megalink listening. There's a repeater on San Antonio Mountain (which is about 10 miles south of Antonito) that has great coverage throughout the area.

I'll also post up here whatever the final spot ends up being.

Dan

 

[DanS HJ-45]

OK, there are a couple RS guys down in Chama tonight.

I am leaving Idaho Springs EARLY and plan to be in Chama around 10AM in order to catch the departure of the train, and am going to chase the train until afternoon. If any of you get up there early -ish keep going North from Chama and you are bound to find us chasing the train (it will come back to Chama around 4PM or so).

We *may* decide to go camp in the forest outside Antonito instead of in the campground, or we may end up staying in the campground another night. Playing that by ear, but I'll post up what we decide to do.

Either way, most of you have my phone number. And I'll be monitoring 146.460, or the Megalink.

See you guys tomorrow!

Dan

 

[barrys]

Change in plans - I'm leaving Sandia Park in just a few minutes to join the "chase crew" near Chama. Great weather, and cooler there!!

Barry

 

[DanS HJ-45]

In case any other HDC guys are coming tonight or tomorrow:

We are camping up near Osier. BEAUTIFUL camp site with lots of room.

On Hwy 17 (from Chama to Antonito) at mile marker 29 take a right turn to the south. At road D7.5 take a right, and stay on that road.

About 4 miles or so to our campsite. If you get to Osier you went too far. It is very close to Sublette. Can't miss us.

Dan

 

[alia176]

Looks like I'm out!

 

[jstncse]

We're there any pictures taken?

 

[barrys]

Here's a couple pictures from last weekend. We rode the train on Friday, and chased it on Saturday. Our campsite was about a five minute hike from the old Sublette station. We learned that the campsite was once used in the 1820s by mountain men for their annual rendezvous. There are many great campsites in that area - flat, high meadows, with dispersed camping permitted within 300 feet of the roads.

Chatting with the fireman and conductor at Sublette. That's my son, Dan on the left, and Perry from the Rising Sun club in Colorado on the right. Alan (the conductor who I've known for many years) once owned a 1973 FJ40.

I've ridden the train every year for about 35 years, but never knew how the Forest Service roads connected to the rail route. Now I know there are many places where the road and rails get really close - many photo ops.

The campsite…..

We had a great time. We're thinking this would be a fantastic trip in the fall, with the aspens at their most brilliant.

Barry

 

[barrys]

A couple more… Two diesel Cruisers - both with Toyota diesels. The BlueJay40 has a 3B turbo, and the 60 series has a 12H-t.

Osier is often cold and rainy/snowy. Before the tracks were laid in 1881, there was a toll road for wagons and stage coaches that is still easily visible at Osier. The station house at Osier was one of the most remote outposts on any railroad in the US for many years.