Day trip to Cabezon ghost town - 2/7/16

[alia176]

The NM Trail riders posted this on their FB page, post up if you're interested in going. This is Superbowl Sunday when we do our traditional snow run so it's a slight conflict.

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Our February trail ride will take the Four Corners Trail Riders to the Cabezon ghost town. We will leave at the Giant gas station in San Ysidro, NM at 8:30 am. Please be ready to go at 9 am. There will be over 60 miles of dirt trails. We will wonder into the Northern portion of the Rio Puerco Valley. There lays numerous backcountry roads to explore the southwestern landscapes of piñon/juniper woodlands, ponderosa pine parklands, open rangeland, and sagebrush flats mingled with sandstone bluffs and dry washes. Together, we will discover a Native American legend from the Pueblo and Navajo Indians, the once sprawling ghost town of Cabezón and the easternmost ruin of the ancient Chaco ruins.
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[pappy]

I'm up for doing something easy and different. I haven't been to the Cabezon area in a long time.

 

[slimbuddha]

A little background, my family on my father's side is from Cabezon, and my father, uncles and aunts own part of the old ghost town, that is not open to the public. I couldn't coordinate it for this February, but would there be interest in making this another trip, say in March or April. If I can get my father to go we could get into the ghost town and look around, take pictures, at least of the old buildings we own, and the old church that has been restored there. It's been well over a year since I went there, but here is a few pics of the town:
https://goo.gl/photos/f9sYEwWDLrZxVqEU8
https://goo.gl/photos/LFzPJMGeE8fqeAfJ9
https://goo.gl/photos/ZYyGodqE1roLWhP47

 

[marcfj60]

Getting a behind the scenes tour with permission would be pretty awesome. Part of the run could include the indian ruins nearby as well. If we could figure out a loop that includes 550, east side of Mt. Taylor and I-40, that would also be pretty darn cool.

 

[slimbuddha]

Actually, we have talked about driving through to Grants from 550, so that could be part of the return.

 

[pappy]

Getting a behind the scenes tour with permission would be pretty awesome.

What Marc said. A "loop" down to I-40 would be a fun day.

 

[jeremy56]

The loop is doable but you have to go pretty far around, I have done it from Torreon area to Hospa, if you wait a few months you could go over La Mosca peak.
You would need a Laguna crossing permit or keys to a few ranches to cut from Cabazon to Bibo/Marquez area. It's kind of inaccessible.

 

[Desert100]

New Mexico 4 Wheelers did a ride from 550, past Cabezon and all the way across to Grants, a couple of months ago. It was an awesome day out, featuring dirt, dust, mud and snow. I captured a GPS track of the whole route.

A few pictures:

 

[Desert100]

I can't do Superbowl Sunday, but would otherwise certainly be interested in either exploring the Cabezon area or running all the way through to Grants again.

 

[kezamora]

I can't do Super Bowl Sunday either but would definitely go in March or April. Count me in! Thanks.