Looking for Labor Day holiday camping ideas!

[alia176]

I'll be home for the Labor day holiday weekend so I'm looking for places to go take the family camping. I don't know if anyone else is planning on camping that weekend but let me know! I need to broaden my knowledge of NM history and see cool places Ideally, if we can make the trip less than five hours one way, that'd be great!

Thanks.

 

[marcfj60]

Have you ever been to Chaco Culture NHP? They might have camping nearby and there are some day hikes around the area along with guided walks/talks of the different ruin sites. The ruins are pretty impressive. But for an even better experience, how about Mesa Verde in SW Colorado between Mancos and Cortez? I think they have a campground there as well. The downside is that it's probably about 6 hours of driving. Another area I've been to that doesn't seem to get as crowded is the Jemez area but follow the Guadlupe river up through the tunnels instead of staying along the Jemez river.

 

[TroutRunner]

Check out the Gila Wilderness.

G

 

[BionicCruiser]

Wanna do Mt Blanca? i was planning on going with the NM4Wheelers on the 6-7th, but i can probably change that to the weekend before to match you.

 

[pappy]

It's not NM, but why not the Ouray weekend with Rising Sun?

 

[BionicCruiser]

It's not NM, but why not the Ouray weekend with Rising Sun?

i'm going to Blanca, one way or the other. or one weekend or the other. i've done Ouray. it's too easy for me. i'll go again with our club if we go, but with a limited group of HDC'ers, i'd rather go harder. i think Ali would be willing for the harder trail. Ali?...these other wimps haven't voluteered to go with you somewhere, i am.

 

[pappy]

i'm going to Blanca, one way or the other. or one weekend or the other. i've done Ouray. it's too easy for me. i'll go again with our club if we go, but with a limited group of HDC'ers, i'd rather go harder. i think Ali would be willing for the harder trail. Ali?...these other wimps haven't voluteered to go with you somewhere, i am.

While I agree, I've never done some of the passes around Ouray. If I can swing the fuel, and get Friday off, I might go.

 

[BionicCruiser]

OH, you didn't say you were thinking of going. so Jon isn't a wimp.
BUT, Ali was just there, see "]Ouray camping trip

 

[slimbuddha]

I'm trying to convince someone to take my on-call that weekend so i can go to. If I can't convince someone, i'll probably just go up to Jemez this weekend, and take the back route through the tunnels just to get out, and keep it a short drive.

 

[alia176]

Hmm, Jemez, Gila and Chaco are possibilities....surprised that no one mentioned Monticello canyon!

I'm going to stick to the five hour or less rule this time. It gets real tiring to do a long trip, rush home, unpack everything, and the jump on the plane the next day for the East Coast!

I don't know where Blanca is but how far is it? Can you camp somewhere and just make day runs or would I have to drag my trailer through the trail? Just trying to educate myself.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[BionicCruiser]

blanca is just outside Alamosa, Co right on the NM border kinda above Taos. not too far. however, it's a trail run up the mountain. you can camp at the bottom (not too pretty, kinda high desert grasslands from what i've seen).

or camp at the top at the lake. gorgeous pines near tree line.

I'm not sure you'd want to take the camper on that trail. that may be a deal breaker for you. i plan to take my little 4x4 trailer, but it was made for the Rubicon. here's some shot of a NM4Wheelers trip. there's only about 3 or 4 real obstacles like this.

 

[SteveLCetc]

I don't know that anyone's taken an 80 all the way to the lake by itself, let alone dragging something. I suspect it will be somewhat difficult for Shawn to do it with his trailer, but I think he can do it (maybe a winched rig behind for alignment purposes in case a second try is necessary on one of the obstacles).

It's one of the tougher trails I've done, and it's fun and not too far.

 

[BionicCruiser]

here's what i got from the guy who's leading the NM4Wheelers trip. he drives a bobbed Toyota mini xtra cab. probably a hair shorter than an 80.

"I did the trail in July of this year and it's currently cut for 35" tired vehicles. I'm on 37's and the first big rock (Jaws I) I just barely get hung up on both up and down. On 35's the straps come out a little bit even with lockers, and smaller I'd think twice about. Otherwise the trail is in great shape and should be a very good trip here in September."

i think an 80 would have the most trouble on Jaws 1 (and would be a problem or impossible for a long trailer with overhang). i don't think my trailer will give me any problems. on the Rubicon it was never an issue. most backups were short enough it never swung out on me or not enough to be a problem. most of the time i forgot it was there.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Lawrence and I (with some others) did it last year with 33's:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/nm-high-desert-cruisers/174169-blanca-peak.html

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Ali:

Blanca is beautiful, at least the lake is. I've only hiked it, but it looks like fun.

For simple camping and stuff I'd recommend the Chama area. 3 1/2 hours from your house. It's beautiful, and will be nice and cool. You could even ride the train (Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge) for a fun day. The campground at Elk Meadows (just north of Chama) are great, and there are a lot of fun dirt roads back there towards Summitville and Elwood Pass. Elwood Pass itself is a fun drive (about as hard as Cedro, but a lot longer), although the East Fork road back to the highway is closed, and I don't know if it effects Elwood or not.

The South San Juan wilderness (Elwood Pass road is the northern boundary) is the last place in CO to have a Grizzly bear sighting in the late 80s. Fantastically beautiful. That's why I might head towards Chama. The aspens will just be barely starting to turn, so they won't be too spectacular, but it's awesome anyway.

If I wasn't going to the 45 run for Labor Day I'd be camping somewhere in the Pagosa Springs/Chama area.

Dan

 

[alia176]

Excellent suggestions Dan, much appreciated. I think I'll check it out and let me know if your plan falls through and can join us. I'll PM/call you for specifics.

Sorry Shawn, Blanca isn't my trailer/family friendly at the moment! That's a trail I'd rather go myself with other vehicles.

Thanks.

Ali

 

[505FJ]

I second the Chama area suggestion. Jessica has family up in the area and we used to go camping up there when I was a kid. There are some small high mountain lakes up there that are nice to visit if El Vado and Heron aren't to your liking.