Wheeling partner Jan. 3 or 4?

[marcfj60]

Thanks for all the input so far. Any of you guys driving a hundy?

There are 2 hundy owners in the club. We're both running mostly stock trucks but with 285/75 - 16 BFG A/T. I only do mild stuff but this time of year is when we do most of that, in the snow. I can't commit at this point to being available for any off-roading in January, especially since I've got mine torn apart for the 90K service and can't get the timing gear off.

MEM and Pencil - If you're both planning to be coming through NM along the I-40 cooridor, I would suggest the Jemez (pronounced HAY-mess) mountains to the NW of Albuquerque for all of your off-road activities. That's were the club goes a bunch. There is a broad range of difficulty levels, depending on the elevation and the amount of snow that has accumulated. The elevation ranges from 5K ft to over 10K feet and there are numerous forest service roads to travel on.

The Jemez mountains are only about a 45-minute drive from Albuquerque. Hopefully somebody in the club will be available to head out with you. If you want to camp there, I think the campgrounds in the lower elevations are open this time of year.

The area that Beowulf (sorry Mike) has suggested, El Malpais, is also a good area with plenty of BLM/Forest/County roads. I went out there I think about a year ago with my stock FJ60 and did just fine. There wasn't much snow though and I don't know how it is right now. It's probably 5K ft to 7K ft elevation. It's only about an hour west of Albuquerque. Picking something relatively close to Albuquerque will give you the best chance of getting somebody local to go out with you since the majority of the club members live in the Albuquerque metro area.

 

[Beowulf]

The area that Beowolf has suggested,

It is Beowulf Marc. You should know that by now.

-Mike-

 

[sirenmoses]

I slid the ladder truck through 2 intersections this morning: does that count?

Any Mudder who's tuff enuf to 'camp out' in the winter is welcome to crash at my place: 12 miles south of I40, 7 miles east of Abq, and 2900' higher. I'll even letcha inside once you can't sleep cuz you're so cold.

But, ya gotta like dogs: at least one wherever you are trying to sit, or eat, or sleep, and one of 'em especially likes to supervise showers.

Winter is just now getting here. Max on the porch so far has been 6". Part of why I have my 60 is for the 3-5' snowfalls.

Ps: Great writeup by B'wuf: I know Pappy's not into stickies, but.....

 

[marcfj60]

It is Beowulf Marc. You should know that by now.

-Mike-

Oh crap. I was going to just call you Beo but didn't know if I'd add confusion to the discussion. You should have spelled my name with a 'k' as repayment for the -wolf mistake.

 

[marcfj60]

I thought of another great place not too far out of the way. You could combine a part day wheeling trip with this one. It's Bandelier National Monument. It's a collection of Anasazi archeological sites (pit houses, cliff dwellings, etc.). It's nowhere near the size of Chaco Canyon site, but is still worth a visit. It's about 30-45 minutes from Santa Fe, very close to Los Alamos, on the east slope of the Jemez mountains. Here's a link:

Bandelier National Monument

 

[MEMCruiser]

Thanks guys for all the info.

 

[Beowulf]

You could combine a part day wheeling trip with this one.

... and half day riding or skiing at Pajarito if they get up the mountain early.

-Mike-

 

[PencilPusher]

I join MEMCruiser in thanking you for all the information.

Mem, I don't feel like you hijacked the thread, just made it a little more confusing! But I think we're getting more and better ideas than if we had had separate threads. Again, thanks to everyone.

So far, I count the following as possibly in for Jan. 3: sl33p3, Shawn, Ali, and jericho. If you folks are definite and want to get together and decide where you'd like to wheel, we will follow your lead. I mentioned camping, but it's the off-roading that we're looking forward to most. We already camp a lot and would enjoy more, but we live in Chicago, the middle of "Flatland, USA," with nary a molehill in sight for hundreds of miles in any direction and pavement everywhere. Our Land Cruiser languishes for lack of opportunity.

I guess we're most interested in wildlife and natural scenery. Any of the places that marcfj60 or Beowulf suggested sound fine, or Ali's Carlsbad Caverns if there's wheeling on the way. Only I'm not as brave as MEM to think about solo off-roading, especially with two others in the vehicle to be responsible for if something goes wrong.

Sirenmoses, are you serious with your offer of a place to land? We'll have sleeping bags and tents for outdoors, but we also like dogs and human company indoors. Remember that there are three of us, but we sleep well on floors and couches. Or tents in your back yard.
---- Art

 

[sl33p3]

I join MEMCruiser in thanking you for all the information.

Mem, I don't feel like you hijacked the thread, just made it a little more confusing! But I think we're getting more and better ideas than if we had had separate threads. Again, thanks to everyone.

So far, I count the following as possibly in for Jan. 3: sl33p3, Shawn, Ali, and jericho. If you folks are definite and want to get together and decide where you'd like to wheel, we will follow your lead. I mentioned camping, but it's the off-roading that we're looking forward to most. We already camp a lot and would enjoy more, but we live in Chicago, the middle of "Flatland, USA," with nary a molehill in sight for hundreds of miles in any direction and pavement everywhere. Our Land Cruiser languishes for lack of opportunity.

I guess we're most interested in wildlife and natural scenery. Any of the places that marcfj60 or Beowulf suggested sound fine, or Ali's Carlsbad Caverns if there's wheeling on the way. Only I'm not as brave as MEM to think about solo off-roading, especially with two others in the vehicle to be responsible for if something goes wrong.

Sirenmoses, are you serious with your offer of a place to land? We'll have sleeping bags and tents for outdoors, but we also like dogs and human company indoors. Remember that there are three of us, but we sleep well on floors and couches. Or tents in your back yard.
---- Art

i would say i am certainly still possible for the 3rd... but i am not a worthy guide and would be along for the fun... i need to stay local and be back in time for bedtime for it to happen for me. i'll keep watching, best of luck sorting this all out

-john

 

[PencilPusher]

Well, John (sl33p3), so far it's you and me. Let's hope a couple of the others chime in with confirmations before too long. I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

We will be on the road most of the time between now and January 3, with only sporadic access to the internet, but I'll check in and keep you all posted as much as I can. In the meantime, phone might be a better way to make last-minute arrangements. If any of you want a phone number where you might reach us, use the option to send me a private reply and also include your phone number if you want.

Thank you, and have a great week --
--Art

 

[alia176]

Safe travels Art. I may be able to join you two and show you some cool wheeling near santa fe, not too far away. The snow might be deep depending on the next storm that's coming our way!

Ali

 

[SteveLCetc]

Pajarito Mountain

Pajarito Mountain has some shoots showing through and a few rock spots, but it's good overall and the next few days will bring even more snow.

 

[sl33p3]

Well, John (sl33p3), so far it's you and me. Let's hope a couple of the others chime in with confirmations before too long. I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

We will be on the road most of the time between now and January 3, with only sporadic access to the internet, but I'll check in and keep you all posted as much as I can. In the meantime, phone might be a better way to make last-minute arrangements. If any of you want a phone number where you might reach us, use the option to send me a private reply and also include your phone number if you want.

Thank you, and have a great week --
--Art

Hi Art, I fear if it's just you and me... blind leading the blind, we'd be in trouble...

 

[BionicCruiser]

I'm really leaning toward locking this in for me. my weekend plans that would thwart going on a run are taking less and less priority in my mind.
I need to get out in the snow. question now is where do we want to go?

 

[sl33p3]

I'm really leaning toward locking this in for me. my weekend plans that would thwart going on a run are taking less and less priority in my mind.
I need to get out in the snow. question now is where do we want to go?

hmmm... dunno... you are missing the new years event right Shawn? i'd vote for new place on the 3rd as opposed to repeat... but i'm amiable since i have nothing to add for options

 

[sirenmoses]

...Sirenmoses, are you serious with your offer of a place to land? We'll have sleeping bags and tents for outdoors, but we also like dogs and human company indoors. Remember that there are three of us, but we sleep well on floors and couches. Or tents in your back yard.
---- Art

Yes, serious about offer, pending schedules. I work on the 3rd, not back til mid-day the 4th. Might work to crash after wheeln, but I could maybe be convinced to get a day off to break things, er 'wheel' w/ya, altho it's my turn to drive a Ladder Truck that day.

PM me yr details on 'three of us', and I'll hitcha back w/my pertinants. I gots futon and single sleeper couch in living room: foster dog stays in kitchen area for sleepies (tho would prefer to snuggle w/human), and others sleep w/me.

Tents would be in 18"-4' of snow in the back yard, and this is a burry cold year, already in the single digits at night... don't want to be responsible for hypothermia, even if yr from the Windy City.

If scheduling doesn't work out, there's a hostel on both sides of the hill, tho I've only visited (thus could recommend) this one: Sandia Mountain Hostel - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Hostel Review.

Not trying to shine you on, just realized logistics...

 

[sirenmoses]

Hi Art, I fear if it's just you and me... blind leading the blind, we'd be in trouble...

Not to worry, I once posted a thread like yours, and day of, there was a mack-daddy w/a winch in the lead. We drove places I wouldn'ta hiked! Just click your heels together Dorothy and believe.

linky once I scare it up

Short of that, Shawn's yr man.


There lotsa great advice on here, from a variety of wheelers. I'm one of the most NIMBY in the club, but come on ya'll, not one mention of Cedro? It's on the list to increase off-road access by several 'trailheads', with links through from Oak Flat at least through to Chamisoso, if not Hwy 66.

 

[Cruisergreg]

Cheez you guys, I go away for a week and you turn a simple request from some flatlanders into a chaotic mess. Our mid-west guests know snow, lot's of it. I think they would be best entertained by some sandhills, slickrock and desert vistas only found in the southwest, read that: Puerco. It's close to town, has a couple different escape routes if things get funky on the Hill, and can test one's skills from mild to wild.

I'd be happy to lead a run in the Puerco on the 3rd or 4th if that's what people would prefer.

 

[sl33p3]

Cheez you guys, I go away for a week and you turn a simple request from some flatlanders into a chaotic mess. Our mid-west guests know snow, lot's of it. I think they would be best entertained by some sandhills, slickrock and desert vistas only found in the southwest, read that: Puerco. It's close to town, has a couple different escape routes if things get funky on the Hill, and can test one's skills from mild to wild.

I'd be happy to lead a run in the Puerco on the 3rd or 4th if that's what people would prefer.

oh that sounds fun too... and no chains and crawling in snow... we might be sick of it after jan 1

+1 for puerco, new place to me, and new is good.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

we might be sick of it after jan 1

Not possible.

Snow is the greatest thing ever. Well, perhaps after ninja stars and light sabers.

I actually woke up this morning and am giddy with the excitement of putting the plow on and shoving some of it around! Heck, I might even go plow Ash's drive for him!

Dan