Snow Run - Super Bowl Sunday

[TroutRunner]

I can't recall the name, but there was a guy who posted up from Grants or Gallup. I'd be willing to be he knows the area. He offered to get us on runs out there if we wanted to.

I think he came to Spencer's house.

G

 

[marcfj60]

Is this where they offered the Klondike bars to the person who can best imitate skiing on a coffee table?

Yes.



No. It's a Boy Scout event. A patrol of boys within a troop fabricates some type of sled that can haul gear and be pushed/pulled by several boys. The group of boys then takes their sled and basic gear through a course that includes several stations where they test your skills as a Boy Scout (build fire and boil water, hypothetical hazardous event where you rescue someone, help someone with a broken down vehicle, build a shelter, etc...) You earn points based on how quickly you complete the course and how well you performed at each station.

 

[sirenmoses]

There's all kindsa Forest Service roads on the N side of Mt Taylor. IIRC, you go west of Grants, then north on a 2 lane paved road, then follow the brown FS signs to the lookout (prolly won't make it all the way due to snow.) Here's a link to low qual map: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/maps/mt_taylor_quickref_map.pdf

Driving back in there chasing fires was good times: the roads aren't too technical, but if wet might be quite goopy. Saw some trailers that hunters had managed to haul in, but not out.

Have fun, I'll be working, like always...

 

[tacosalad]

Yes that was me, since removed the bandaid and did a little body work, probably won't be the last time.

Jack, have you put a snorkel on yer Voodoo? I've seen one driving around Socorro last few days. BTW, I work at NM Tech, and was in the pop-up next to your cabin in Ruidoso, driving the tacoma.

I've emailed the boss about Sunday's run, hope she's game (she might be a little leary after the Xmas tree run! ). Sure would be more fun than the game, which I could care less about this year.

We should probably start a new thread on the Ruidoso/Thrill on the Hill over Memorial Day. We had a great time except for the campground, and would rather be camping out somewhere in the woods. Anyone else?

Dave

 

[FJJACK]

Jack, have you put a snorkel on yer Voodoo? I've seen one driving around Socorro last few days. BTW, I work at NM Tech, and was in the pop-up next to your cabin in Ruidoso, driving the tacoma.

I've emailed the boss about Sunday's run, hope she's game (she might be a little leary after the Xmas tree run! ). Sure would be more fun than the game, which I could care less about this year.

We should probably start a new thread on the Ruidoso/Thrill on the Hill over Memorial Day. We had a great time except for the campground, and would rather be camping out somewhere in the woods. Anyone else?

Dave

Yes put in on over X-Mas break. How have you been doing, need to do lunch one of these days. Hope to see ya on Sunday.

 

[SteveLCetc]

I can't recall the name, but there was a guy who posted up from Grants or Gallup. I'd be willing to be he knows the area. He offered to get us on runs out there if we wanted to.

I think he came to Spencer's house.

G

newmexicokid:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/nm-high-desert-cruisers/134734-hdc-aliases-introduce-yourself.html
I just pm'ed him.

 

[Cruisergreg]

If we're going to Mt. Taylor I suggest going in through the Grants access (NM 547 on Sirenmoses' map). If we go in this way we will be able to get high up pretty quick and there's a maze of roads up on top that'll have tons of snow.

If the road "west of grants" is the one to San Mateo, that's a lot more driving on pavement before hitting any public land. My .02.

 

[FJJACK]

Hey guys can't wait to hit the snow, since I am coming from Socorro and if the club decides to go to Mt Talor instead of the Monzanos it would be easier for me to take NM-6 and meet you either at Grants or at the exit for NM-6 and I-40. If this is the case I would like to get someones cell # so that I can stay in contact.

 

[pappy]

I think meeting at the north portal to wheel at Mt Taylor is out of the way. Can I suggest a meeting place off I-40, like at the Rio Puerco offramp at the closed gas station?

 

[SteveLCetc]

I think meeting at the north portal to wheel at Mt Taylor is out of the way. Can I suggest a meeting place off I-40, like at the Rio Puerco offramp at the closed gas station?

Where's that place that we met Dave Aley at a few years ago - and Greg & Robbie. Just East of Grants, wasn't it?

Edit:
Exit 102, little restaurant on the NE corner

 

[SteveLCetc]

Where's that place that we met Dave Aley at a few years ago - and Greg & Robbie. Just East of Grants, wasn't it?

Edit:
Exit 102, little restaurant on the NE corner

North side of the building, which may be a truck stop. Then we headed straight north from there, if I recall correctly...

 

[marcfj60]

There don't seem to be any objections to heading west to Mt. Taylor for this run so I'm going to consider that our final decision. I know we still have 2 whole days to decide but maybe we could break tradition and have a plan before Saturday night. Hopefully, some of us have some maps or at a minimum a GPS to help us find our way home.

Now to the matter of meeting places. I propose the Albuquerque folks meet at the casino parking lot that is just west of the Rio Puerco south of I-40. It's easy to find and there is plenty of parking lot area to congregate until we leave. I think it's Route 66 Casino. A couple years ago, we came out after a day of playing in the Puerco at this casino to air back up. Then, let's plan to head west and pick up Jack where NM6 intersects I-40 ~9:45. I sent him a PM with my cell numbers.

 

[Cruisergreg]

Exit 102, little restaurant on the NE corner

Correct. It's the turn-off for the Sky City Casino. I've been up it several times with different folks. It's an "OK" way to go in although last time I went up that way the FS was attempting to gate it off (people had been going around it on one side). If getting into snow is the main priority, I think the main route in out of Grands would be faster.

I'm still hoping to catch an empty seat with someone. Also, I have chains that will fit a 33" tire I can bring for someone to use.

 

[FJJACK]

There don't seem to be any objections to heading west to Mt. Taylor for this run so I'm going to consider that our final decision. I know we still have 2 whole days to decide but maybe we could break tradition and have a plan before Saturday night. Hopefully, some of us have some maps or at a minimum a GPS to help us find our way home.

Now to the matter of meeting places. I propose the Albuquerque folks meet at the casino parking lot that is just west of the Rio Puerco south of I-40. It's easy to find and there is plenty of parking lot area to congregate until we leave. I think it's Route 66 Casino. A couple years ago, we came out after a day of playing in the Puerco at this casino to air back up. Then, let's plan to head west and pick up Jack where NM6 intersects I-40 ~9:45. I sent him a PM with my cell numbers.

Sounds good to me, I have gone to My. Taylor through Grants and it is pretty quick. I'm up for whate ever you decide. I haven't received your cell yet, but Steve has givem me his. Also I will check the site Saturday to make sure plans have not changed. I will PM mine to both you and Steve.

 

[marcfj60]

Potential Problems

I just spoke with Craig Trinkle at the Mt. Taylor Ranger District office for CNF. He is the Natural Resources Specialist for that district. His assesment of the road into and around Mt. Taylor is that they are very poor for 4WD travel. The main road in, 547 is actually barricaded on a section that is still improved and graded. He mentioned that the roads become impassable around what he called the 'Transition' area. The snow on the minor roads is icy, instead of powdery. I told him we were a group of 4WD enthusiasts, mostly with 33" and up to 35" tires but he still claimed that we'd have very little road to travel on before we couldn't go any further. I asked about access from the east side and he said that was even worse, with most of the roads unmaintained for miles before you even get to the mountain.

He also said the area south and west of I-40, the Zuni Mountains, was just as bad. A few of the roads are plowed by the county near Grants but for the most part are not and the snow conditions on them go from 12" of hard, icy stuff up to 3 feet in the shade and drifts.

Do we still want to head west? It looks like there are plenty of roads, especially in the Zuni Mountains, to check out. I just don't know what we're going to run into.

If we decide that we still want to go, I'd like to recommend we stop in at the "NW New Mexico Visitor Center." It's right off I-40 at exit 85, the second Grants exit. I think they'd have a good selection of maps and information on the area. It's funded and operated through an "inter/intra-agency" agreement between BLM, NPS and USFS. I called them and they are open every day from 8 - 5. It sounds a lot like the Wolatowa Visitor Center.

 

[Cruisergreg]

I would hesitate letting too many "officials" know where we plan to go. As many of you remember we were "snitched on" at Walatowa by some do-gooder and then told by the district ranger that the Jemez district was closed, because he said so. This was despite what the most recent FS map indicated regarding any seasonal closures. We ended up having to go WAY out of our way to the Cuba district to be "legal".

I'm pretty sure I have some good FS map coverage of the area and it's really hard to get lost up there - there are only 3 routes out and they are easy to find. The FS service frowns on full size vehicles there mainly because we trash the Xcountry snow trails

As for conditions reported by any public lands agency, ignore them. Many times I've been spooked by reports from the agencies and found out later things were fine for a well-equiped group. For a little adventure Juane and I had in the Malpais the rangers said the roads were impassible but we went anyway and it was fine, just a little muddy.

 

[evanz80]

I am willing to give it a try if others are interested. The rangers are probably just trying to keep people out who don't know what they're doing.

Or we've always got the Jemez. As long as I get to drive in some snow...

Chris Jones will be riding along with me. Some of you have met him - he's my brother-in-law and drives the blue '86 pickup.

Greg - You are welcome to ride along with us as well. I thought Jon offered you a lift, but if you would like to go with us, just send me a PM. I'll be skiing at santa Fe tomorrow, but I will check tomorrow night when I get back. I probably won't make it to the meeting.

Evan

 

[Cruisergreg]

Greg - You are welcome to ride along with us as well. I thought Jon offered you a lift, but if you would like to go with us, just send me a PM. I'll be skiing at santa Fe tomorrow, but I will check tomorrow night when I get back. I probably won't make it to the meeting.

Jon gave my seat away to Gorman. Guess he likes him better.

 

[pappy]

[snip]For a little adventure Juane and I had in the Malpais the rangers said the roads were impassible but we went anyway and it was fine, just a little muddy.

How about an adventure to the ice caves? I know it's dirt, but have no idea what it's like this time of year.

 

[SteveLCetc]

How about an adventure to the ice caves? I know it's dirt, but have no idea what it's like this time of year.

Where are they?