Camping trip April 3, 2015 - Luna park camping, Monticello box canyon

[alia176]

I'm planning on camping at the Luna Park April 3rd/4th and running the Monticello box canyon with other wheelers on Sat. If you're interested in joining me, post up. Hopefully there will be lots of water to play in! There is a warm spring at the exit of the box canyon that we'll hike to and let the dogs play so bring your hiking boots and swim wear.

As of now, the plan is to leave Friday, after I pick up Isabelle from school, around noon and hit the road. It's about a 3.5 hour drive and the roads are gravel/dirt types. This is a stocker friendly run and popup camper friendly-ish. I'll be towing the Kamparoo. There is a pit vault toilet at this CG and no cost to camp.

Luna park CG
https://www.google.com/maps/place/L...2!3m1!1s0x87208eeedaf1beb1:0xb549942c79c32519

Monticello box canyon pics
https://www.google.com/search?q=mon...v&sa=X&ei=bM0SVb72EpT-yQTMyYCoAg&ved=0CB0QsAQ

 

[Ctenosaurian]

Great area! Just try not to run over any toads there, that appears to be the last locality in the San Mateos with Arizona Toads. You might hear them calling if you are near Alamosa Creek during the night. I am joking of course about running them over, but I would love to hear if anyone hears any while you are there. We are in the 3rd year of a study on them, so any observations would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the biological hijack, have a great time out there. I will be busy west of there otherwise I would try to make it.

 

[lurch]

Woot! I'm in...

 

[NMrockeater]

Well this rental property we are in the process of selling keeps costing us more and more. With cash flow low, I have to opt out of this one.

 

[alia176]

Well this rental property we are in the process of selling keeps costing us more and more. With cash flow low, I have to opt out of this one.

You can't opt out if you never opted in

 

[NMrockeater]

Ha ha true I guess

 

[lurch]

Justin and I will be leaving around ~2pm to head down. I'll have the Ham set to HDC2 once we get close. Do you drive in from the North side through the mountains or come up from the south side of the mountains?

 

[alia176]

You can do either and I think I'll do the northern entrance tomorrow.

I'll monitor Hdc-2 146.40

 

[NMrockeater]

You guys have fun and be safe

 

[alia176]

We had a good time this past weekend. Monticello box canyon was full of water and the weather was very nice.

We fueled up at Elephant Butte then took 52 all the way to Monticello. Went through the town, aired down and went to a camping spot for the weekend. Brian and Mike showed up in the evening, then on Sat morning went to Garcia falls. This place is off of Burma road, a major road that goes through the area. Afterwards, we went to the box canyon and eventually caught up to the huge NM Offroad.com group.

After eating lunch at the exit of the box canyon, took a short hike up to the warm springs where Isabelle and the dogs swam for a bit. Loaded back up and high tailed it to the Chloride ghost town. Eventually we ended up back at the campground for Sat night FEAST. When I say feast, I mean FEAST - coconut chicken curry with rice, fresh fajitas, beans, chicken, beef, salad. Eventually, I rolled myself into the Roo for the night.

Sunday morning came and we headed back home through the Springtime camp ground in Cibola nat'l forest. Apparently this CG is open year around and it's a dry CG but the shelters are built out of logs so they're sturdy.

Of course no trip home is complete w/o stopping for a coffee in Socorro!

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Some random pics.

airing down outside of Monticello

 

[alia176]

more pics...

 

[alia176]

A picture from Brian.

Captains - Justin and Steve

 

[lurch]

More to come

 

[iSkiBigLines]

Looks like a great outing. Beautiful campsite!

 

[Poupon]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like you guys had a great time.

 

[lurch]

 

[lurch]

 

[lurch]

 

[evanz80]

Nice photos, Steve!