Winter status of RT 144 in Jemez (1 Viewer)

[ajy4490]

Does anybody know of the status of RT 144 this time of year? I vaguely remember hearing this closes between January and April, but I may be making that up. I'm looking to do a short overnight camping trip in Jemez and visiting the hot springs.

I know I can get to the hot springs via RT 106 and through the mushroom basin, but RT 144 is such a cool drive and I know there's a sweet camp spot on the top of the ridge from this past summer

 

[Poupon]

We have done snow runs on RT 144 in prior years. So it is possible that it is open. You may get the best info by calling the jemez (san antonio) ranger station. Post up if you learn more.

 

[Pyro-boy]

144 is still open from the Espanola side of the mountain. I'm not sure about any of the other access points. (coyote, jemez, etc.)

Vince

 

[89BIGBLUE]

tel505) 438-5300

Jemez district Ranger Station.

I’ve been meaning to call this week as well. Too busy at work.

PLEASE, if anyone calls, let us know the official status!

Thanks.

 

[ajy4490]

I called today, and was told all the forest roads are closed to vehicle traffic for the winter and will open sometime late April or early May. That certainly puts a damper on camping that way.

I'm curious to hear that rt 144 is open from the Espanola side? Only problem is, you'd have to drive _all_ the way back.

 

[Manona]

Not as remote, but there's some nice spots on 4b. Take Hwy 4 past La Cueva; turn off is on the right, about 1/4 mile (if that- look for the orange ribbons) past Redondo Campground (just up the hill from the large sweeping horseshoe turn). Once on 4B, the roads to the right are closed due to over use and the roads being trashed, but head towards the left (take the road right of the one with the pile of rock someone dumped) and keep going. It goes only about 4 miles back but pretty quiet back there and some nice camp spots overlooking the canyons. Towards the end it branches out; each ends at the Valles Caldera gates with exception of the one to the right, but there are several downed trees across that road about 1/2 mile down as of last weekend. I was going to go putter around there in the HDJ81 Saturday and then try to find an old trail someone told me about that heads down to the warm springs; maybe I'll see you if head up.

I also heard that Fenton Lake was open for camping weekend before last.

 

[Dumpolina]

Not as remote, but there's some nice spots on 4b. Take Hwy 4 past La Cueva; turn off is on the right, about 1/4 mile (if that- look for the orange ribbons) past Redondo Campground (just up the hill from the large sweeping horseshoe turn). Once on 4B, the roads to the right are closed due to over use and the roads being trashed, but head towards the left (take the road right of the one with the pile of rock someone dumped) and keep going. It goes only about 4 miles back but pretty quiet back there and some nice camp spots overlooking the canyons. Towards the end it branches out; each ends at the Valles Caldera gates with exception of the one to the right, but there are several downed trees across that road about 1/2 mile down as of last weekend. I was going to go putter around there in the HDJ81 Saturday and then try to find an old trail someone told me about that heads down to the warm springs; maybe I'll see you if head up.

I also heard that Fenton Lake was open for camping weekend before last.

Dang, wish I could get up there tomorrow... I might try for Sunday

 

[Manona]

Dang, wish I could get up there tomorrow... I might try for Sunday

Saturday is the Cabin Fever Festival in the village, I realized. Some music, vendors, etc.

I need to have my knuckles rebuilt, so l will be taking it easy this weekend... i thought I could eek out a few more miles, but the seals are shot. I'm hoping all will be good and that I will be back on the road trails if anyone is planning on heading to Jemez next weekend.

 

[OkiCruiser]

Dang, wish I could get up there tomorrow... I might try for Sunday

I’m game too if you’re gonna go for a ride. Sunday Funday?

 

[Dumpolina]

I’m game too if you’re gonna go for a ride. Sunday Funday?

Ya! @Manona is that route you desrcribe above legit, as in not under closure?
If so could do that. If not, @OkiCruiser will your rig go up to beyond Cuba?

 

[OkiCruiser]

Yeah, shouldn't be an issue, as long as you're not in a rush. She cruises along pretty happily at 110 kph/65 mph.

 

[Manona]

Ya! @Manona is that route you desrcribe above legit, as in not under closure?
If so could do that. If not, @OkiCruiser will your rig go up to beyond Cuba?

Its open. Not a long road by any stretch of the imagination, a few miles long. But if you're just looking for a short, pleasurable ride, with maybe some hiking it fits the bill.

Not sure what else is open, but I was working traffic on a car accident in Jemez,Springs this afternoon and saw quite a bit of 4x4 traffic, jeeps and lots of toyotas wearing jemez dirt.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Its open. Not a long road by any stretch of the imagination, a few miles long. But if you're just looking for a short, pleasurable ride, with maybe some hiking it fits the bill.

Not sure what else is open, but I was working traffic on a car accident in Jemez,Springs this afternoon and saw quite a bit of 4x4 traffic, jeeps and lots of toyotas wearing jemez dirt.

I was in the blue FJ 62 that passed by the accident! I waved!

FR144 gates are closed. Fenton camp ground is open. Didn’t get any further up 4 than that. Had to chase some fish!

 

[Manona]

I was in the blue FJ 62 that passed by the accident! I waved!

FR144 gates are closed. Fenton camp ground is open. Didn’t get any further up 4 than that. Had to chase some fish!

Yes, you did! Did you see me say "Nice land cruiser!" when you passed?
Did you catch anything? I hear its been pretty good up there.
Good to know about the roads. I guess 4b may be it for now. Maybe up near one of the residential areas too...

 

[Dumpolina]

Yeah, shouldn't be an issue, as long as you're not in a rush. She cruises along pretty happily at 110 kph/65 mph.

Sorry for the late response. Yes, cool!
If it works for you @OkiCruiser and anyone else, I'll plan to be at the Jemez store Hwy 4 and 126 at 10:00 AM, and we can make plans from there.
38724 NM-126 #1, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
I'll be in my gray 94 xcab pickup
My cell is 425-314 one five zero one
If this won't work, probably text me. Shortly I'll be away from internet until early AM
@Manona FWIW I'm gone next weekend, but that shouldn't preclude you from putting something together!

 

[Manona]

Sorry for the late response. Yes, cool!
If it works for you @OkiCruiser and anyone else, I'll plan to be at the Jemez store Hwy 4 and 126 at 10:00 AM, and we can make plans from there.
I'll be in my gray 94 xcab pickup
My cell is 425-314 one five zero one
If this won't work, probably text me. Shortly I'll be away from internet until early AM
@Manona FWIW I'm gone next weekend, but that shouldn't preclude you from putting something together!

Have fun tomorrow! I wish my knuckles were a bit better. I'm so tempted...

The turn you want is mm 28.9 on hwy 4.

Too bad you wont be around next weekend, I think I'll do that!

 

[OkiCruiser]

Sorry for the late response. Yes, cool!
If it works for you @OkiCruiser and anyone else, I'll plan to be at the Jemez store Hwy 4 and 126 at 10:00 AM, and we can make plans from there.
38724 NM-126 #1, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
I'll be in my gray 94 xcab pickup
My cell is 425-314 one five zero one
If this won't work, probably text me. Shortly I'll be away from internet until early AM
@Manona FWIW I'm gone next weekend, but that shouldn't preclude you from putting something together!

That works! I’ll see you there at 10. I’ll let you know if I’ve got any issues. Look for the big black cloud of diesel smoke, that’ll be me.

 

[Manona]

That works! I’ll see you there at 10. I’ll let you know if I’ve got any issues. Look for the big black cloud of diesel smoke, that’ll be me.

I was wondering if yours is a diesel as well!

 

[Dumpolina]

@OkiCruiser thanks for a nice day in the hills. @Manona great suggestions thanks for the guidance!
FWIW, eyeballed 144 and various other roads yesterday 3/25... gated.
Was told by a local that 10 is not open all the way through.
126 is passable all the way, actually still has some packed snow up high on the north sides. Quite a few people camping up on that damp ground and buzzing around on UTV's in the soft meadows. Booooo.
117 off 126 is not gated... its a little muddy though. I only went to the junction with 103, which is freshly graded and graveled.
I need to buy a pressure washer

I love this simple little truck!

 

[Manona]

Nice meeting you two yesterday! Glad you had a good outing. I thought of 117 afterwards, im glad you found it; was thinking that would be the next planned outing?!

Was also kinda stoked that you guys don't seem to be the type to just rip it all up. So many areas they're trying to restore but people are just moving fences and trashing it. Jemez already has more access than most places. I'll never understand why people need to show how many you bare bt completely rutting out the hillsides and kill all the vegetation...
Anyhow, love your truck; those Tacomas will go anywhere. I had one years ago, close to 400k on the dial before my nephew got her.