NEW MEXICO BACKROADS

Winter Exploration: New Mexico Backroads Celebrates New Year's Eve in Northern New Mexico & Southern Colorado

2012-01-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

HWY-285 Below San Antonio Mountain

Southern New Mexico Exploration - Winter Wanderland

2011-12-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Pictured: Thunderhead Plains, Organ Mountains, Soledad Canyon, Rio Grande & Mesilla Valley

Southern New Mexico Exploration - Sierra de las Uvas Mountains

2011-12-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas From The Backroads

2011-12-25T06:54:00.001-07:00

Thank you for supporting New Mexico Backroads. I hope you find adventure this Holiday Season whether it’s navigating the crowded streets in pursuit of Christmas lights or summiting a lonely snow-covered peak.May your travels be safe and the road rough. Merry Christmas.

-Jake Quinones

Portrait of a Grizzled Mountain Man and His Faithful Truck

2011-12-10T14:27:00.001-07:00

-"He took a long and disappointed look at the 4Runner then spit in the snow. “You ain't gonna make it through to Cumbres Pass in that; the snow up there is as deep as your waist and the road is lost—maybe with a good packhorse and supplies you’d get through.”

The original plan involved driving from Taos, New Mexico to Cumbres Pass, Colorado, all by dirt, on a route I had mapped months in advance. The route would lead us into the depths of the Rio Grande Gorge, across the Taos Plateau and into the vast backcountry flanking the Cruces Basin Wilderness. Needless to say, it would be an epic adventure, all packed in a single day. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I monitored the fall foliage maps and weather forecasts for Northern New Mexico. I called the various Forest Service offices of Taos and Rio Arriba Counties to verify leaf reports and check road conditions. Our adventure started on a crisp Saturday morning in Arroyo Hondo, a small community north of Taos. After fueling we set off, coffee and breakfast burritos in hand. From Arroyo Hondo, we paralleled the Rio Hondo downstream on a washboard road that led to the Rio Grande Gorge. There we crossed the Rio Grande on the aged John Dunn Bridge; we stopped to watch the local fly fisherman work the frigid fall waters of the river. From the Rio Grande our route continued west, snaking up the sheer canyon walls of the gorge, passing Cerro Montoso and the lonely San Antonio Mountain (the single highest freestanding mountain in the Lower 48 States). On the heels of a snowstorm that had blanketed the highlands, we entered the backcountry of the Carson National Forest north of Banco de Julian and Olguin Mesa. Soon the landscape turned from snow dusted to snow covered. The turning leaves paired with a fresh white background provided spectacular scenery along Forest Road 87. The road serves as the gateway and southern boundary to the 18,000-acre Cruces Basin Wilderness. While the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway wind through sections of the wilderness, the area is largely inaccessible. No roads or hiking trails exist in the Cruces Basin Wilderness itself. With each passing mile the snow grew deeper; we still had elevation to gain before Toltec Mesa and Cumbres Pass. As the sun cast long shadows on the snow, our hopes of making the Colorado line before dark faded. Although the sound of crunching snow under the tires beckoned us to press on, we decided to drive only few more minutes and cut our adventure short. Around the next bend we came upon an old Ford truck, it had had seemingly slid off the road. The truck was haphazardly situated halfway on the road and halfway down the embankment; a set of crooked tracks led to its resting place. A steady cloud of smoke wafted from the rusted tailpipe. Although the windows were fogged up, I could make out a figure wearing a cowboy hat behind the wheel. We slowed as we rolled alongside the weathered truck; possibly the occupant needed assistance getting back on the road. The window slowly went down exposing an old man, as tired looking as the truck. As he cranked the window down he grimaced in discomfort, bringing alive the wrinkles in his face. It was clear that we had disturbed his slumber. Old country music crackled from his radio. “You need help?”, I asked. He turned the radio volume down and opened the door exposing the truck’s worn interior. “Help? Hell no, I’m just watin for my meat delivery to arrive. I’ve been coming to this spot for three days; don’t really feel like gettin out and hiking. I’ve got a bull tag; all I’ve seen is a few coyotes and a doe. What are you folks doing out here in this weather?” His stone-faced demeanor nearly masked his humor. His expression didn’t seem to change while I explained that I was photographing the area looking for gold aspen stands. I cut myself short realizing I sounded like a tourist.The old man coughed a few times and cleared his throat. He boomed with authority, “Why don’t you take my picture then?” We were a bit taken back by his request given his character. He repositioned himself in the truck to face us. Again his movement was labored. Further down the tattered bench seat was a rifle stock peeking out from under a blanket. As if suddenly the sun had come out, he broke a smile exposing tobacco stained teeth. At his request, I started photographing him. “I live about a mile from here; I’ve lived up here for most of my life. I don’t leave for the winter, I just hunker down. Sometimes hunters get stuck or lost and I help em and send em on their way”. He went to say something else but fell silent instead; for a seemingly long moment he stared off into the distance. Again he looked our way, this time with a sparkle in his eyes, as if he had warmed to our company. He took a long and disappointed look at the 4Runner then spit in the snow. “You ain't gonna make it through to Cumbres Pass in that; the snow up there is as deep as your waist and the road is lost—maybe with a good packhorse and supplies you’d get through in a day or two. I’d tiptoe on outta of here the same way you came in. You had better mind your tracks too; there are a couple of iced ponds down the way that are covered by snow. Wander out on one of those and I’ll be seeing you in the spring thaw.” He turned back into the truck and raised the volume on the radio. “I’ll probably fall asleep before the sun goes down and miss my bull. It’s easier to drive in this mess once it hardens up after dark anyways.” The mountain man tipped his hat and slammed his door shut before we could thank him. We turned around and retraced our route along Forest Road 87 back to the base of San Antonio Mountain where we caught Highway 285. It’s funny how the unplanned parts of the adventure often provide the most memorable. Crossing paths with the old man provided my favorite image from the trip—the portrait of a grizzled man mountain man and his faithful truck.

Fall in Northern New Mexico: Banco de Julian, Olguin Mesa & Cruces Basin Wilderness

2011-11-29T19:20:00.001-07:00

Situated against the Colorado border in the Carson National Forest, the 18,000-plus acre Cruces Basin Wilderness is located in the high altitude grasslands and aspen stands of Northern New Mexico. Notable features in the Cruces Basin Wilderness include the Brazos Ridge, Toltec Mesa and Los Pinos River. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway wind through the sections of the wilderness between Cumbres Pass and Toltec Mesa. While the area is accessible by Forest Road 87, there are no designated trails in the Cruces Basin Wilderness; hikers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the area through use of paper maps and GPS—carrying a quality compass is always advised. Wildlife in the area includes mountain lion, black bear, bobcat, elk, mule deer, turkey and grouse. Streams support populations of Brook, Rainbow, and Brown Trout.

Fall in Northern New Mexico: Cerro Montoso, Los Cerritos de la Cruz & Forest Road 87 Below Banco de Julian

2011-11-27T09:05:00.001-07:00

Fall in Northern New Mexico: Rio Grande Gorge & Rio Hondo

2011-11-20T07:38:00.001-07:00

Fall in Northern New Mexico: Truchas, Taos & Chimayó

2011-11-18T11:38:00.001-07:00

Fall in Northern New Mexico Ahead

2011-11-18T10:52:00.001-07:00

Pictured: Lobato Sheep Ranch, Cruces Basin Wilderness, Cumbres Pass & Cumbres/Toltec Scenic Rail

Glade Run Recreation Area - Farmington, NM (Trails: Intimidator, Anasazi Refrigerator, Cobra, Gladiator, Lower Rim, Upper Rim & RJ’s)

2011-11-09T15:04:00.002-07:00

"Glade Run Recreation Area: A great spot for the weekend warrior, the Glade Run Recreation Area is comprised of 19,000 acres of sandy arroyos, slick rock and rolling terrain. The recreation area is split into two off-highway vehicle use zones. The northern three-quarters of the Glade are managed for limited trail use and 3,800 acres on the south end are managed as an open OHV area. Approximately 42 miles of marked trails for motorized trail bike and mountain bike riders are located in the limited OHV portion of the Glade. Challenging slick rock and wide sandy washes provide fun for off road enthusiasts in the open OHV section.Activities- Biking, hiking, horseback, OHV.Facilities- None. Restrooms and drinking water are not available.Location / Access- The recreation area lies between NM State Highways 170, 574, and 516 with multiple entry points on dirt roads.Have a positive influence on the area and those around you and TreadLightly!"-BLM

Intimidator Trail- George pilots #110 along the edge of an precarious and off-camber section of trail.

 Metal Memorial- A metal cross marks the spot where, in 2005, a Jeep carrying two men rolled over the edge of the sheer cliff, plummeting into Chokecherry Canyon below. Both men were killed as a result of the accident.

Yes, both rear tires are off the ground. This pic is from last year’s trail run led by Farmington local Phil Damron. The pic is worth a repeat to show that the big obstacles of Glade Run are not only reserved for rock buggies. Quick thinking by the driver and a bit of throttle brought the rear tires back to earth.

The Golden Season has Arrived: Fall in Southern New Mexico

2011-11-01T08:58:00.001-06:00

Never a Wrong Turn: The Story of Luka

2011-10-31T10:09:00.000-06:00

I found a puppy burrowed beneath a dead horse on the desolate flats north of Canyon de Chelly.  

Horses run free on the high mesas of Navajoland between Canyon de Chelly and the San Juan River.  They graze along the weathered highways while cars precariously speed by.  All too often, the horses are struck and killed by motorists or attacked by ravenous predators.  Carcasses in various forms of decomposition are frequent along these desolate and lonely stretches of road.

After I passed the “Welcome to Arizona” sign, I realized that I had made a wrong turn some 20 miles back at the junction in Yah-Ta-Hey, a small village north of Gallup, New Mexico.  I had not planned on being in Arizona for another few hours; my original plans were to enter Arizona briefly near Four Corners and continue into Southeastern Utah.  I was meeting my friend John form Tennessee that evening to camp amongst the massive rock monoliths in Valley of the Gods.  After consulting with the map, I decided to press forward through Arizona on Indian Route 12 rather than backtracking.  The highway runs along the New Mexico/Arizona border through Fort Defiance, Tsaile and Rock Point.  The route would give me a chance to see new scenery.

Driving north on the winding Indian Route 12 provides a spectacular display of red rock laced valleys, forest and high desert mesas.  On the high desert plains, north of Canyon de Chelly, I passed dead horse after dead horse.  Some lay on the embankment while others made it a bit further into the scrubland before dying.  The third dead horse I passed provided surreal scene.  A black puppy was playing in the grass tufts behind the massive carcass.  I immediately decelerated and made a u-turn.  As no shoulder exists, I drove down the embankment and stopped a good distance short of the black puppy that was now fleeing.  As it ran, I called to it in every silly voice you would try when attempting to woo a puppy.   I whistled and clapped, but nothing seemed to stop it.  My heart sunk as I watched the dog fade into the distance.

Movement in the shadow of the dead horse caught my eye.  It was another puppy; this one was black and white.  My steps were slow as I approached and talked sweet to the little dog, hoping it would not bolt for the hills.  Then I saw why she couldn’t run away, or even sit up for the matter, her belly and paws were riddled with spines and goat heads. The packed earth beneath the dead horse’s ruptured belly was pink and packed as if the little dog had rolled beneath the beast for days.  The torn horse hide hung like drapes over her burrow.  It was clear that she had been eating at its flesh and had licked parts of the hide bare.  The smell of decay was heavy in the air.  I let her get a view of me for a minute or two before getting closer.  She squirmed and grunted as I reached down for her, but she didn’t growl or snap.  While sweet talking to her, I picked her up and held her to my chest; her tail started to wag.  The spines and goat heads embedded in her skin made holding her like embracing a cactus.  As I walked back to the truck and scanned the barren horizon I couldn’t believe she was still alive—she was a miracle.

 Never a Wrong Turn: Part II

She was amazingly calm as I tried to comb my fingers through her fur; she grunted and licked my hands as I worked.  It took me a good 15 minutes to rid her little belly and paws of the spines and goat heads that immobilized her.  Bits of dried flesh and blood clung to her stubbornly.  I had to cut the chunks of filth out with my Leatherman scissors.  I filled a bowl with water and watched in awe as she downed it in seconds.  I filled it a few more times before she slowed and was quenched.  After rummaging around in my ARB fridge I emerged with a few slices of cheddar and ham.  Her tail furiously wagged as she snatched the morsels out of my hand.  Seems the fastest way to a dog’s heart is with processed meat and cheese.  The foul odor of the pup was overwhelming, almost as if the horse had come along too.

We set off with the windows rolled down due north on Indian Route 12.  My new ambitions were to find a bath for the pup.  Looking at the desolate landscape, I figured I’d be lucky to find a half-full cattle tank.  I wasn’t sure I could hold out for the San Juan River, which was two hours away in Southern Utah.  A few miles down the road I came across a state trooper that was clearing debris from the highway.  I asked him where I might find a gas station or car wash.  Without a word he wiped his brow and pointed north quickly returning to his work.     

An hour later we pulled into Mexican Water, a community marked by little more than a sign and a gas station-diner.  The throwback building sat in the center of a dusty lot surrounded by gear laden SUVs and ranch trucks.  I went inside and asked the cashier where I might find a hose and she directed me around back.  “Don’t leave it running” she said as the screen door slammed shut behind me.  Behind the station, a twenty-something guy wearing a wife beater was hacking weeds, a cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth.  He slowly walked up to the truck and rested his arm on the door. His weed whacker still sputtered in his other hand.  I asked him if where I could find a hose.  Eyes squinting, he leaned inside the window to take cover from the sun.  The rotten smell must have aroused suspicion in him.  He curiously peered down at the floor mat.  “I’ll be damned” he mumbled as he looked at my pup.  “Guess you need a hose then?” He pointed at a spigot and curled hose underneath a tree.  “Hold on, I’ll be back”, he put his machine down and walked into the backdoor of the diner kitchen.  Moments later he came out carrying a green five gallon bucket.  He handed me the bucket and took refuge under the tree, lighting up another cigarette.  Smoke wafted from his mouth as he spoke, “That oughta do the trick”.  In the meantime, I had scrounged a spare leash (used for my other dogs), Dawn dish soap and a towel from my truck.  The loop handle of the leash fit perfectly around the pup’s neck.

Suds billowed from the top of the bucket as I sprayed the soap infused water.  I had an image in my head of those Dawn commercials where they feature their soap heroically cleansing sea creatures of oil spill muck.  The pup’s story would have had their PR department watering at the mouth.  I carried the little dog from the truck over to the bucket; she immediately started to flail knowing she was going in.  I put her in haunches first and she put her front paws on the bucket rim in protest.  She then realized that she liked the feeling of the cool water and settled down.  She looked scrawny once she was wet and her fur was matted.  I lathered and rinsed the pup four or five times until the bath water lost its pink tinge.  Each time, she’d shake the water off while I held her with one hand and refilled the bucket with the other.   Soon I was just as soaked as her and standing in the mud hole I had created.  All the while the handyman looked on with amusement.  

Once finished, I carried her back to the truck wrapped in a towel and dried her off a bit.  She looked magnificent compared to dog I had lifted from the horse carcass a short while before.  I thanked the handyman and offered him compensation for helping me; he chuckled and said the entertainment was payment enough and went back to his weeds.  With that, we drove off bound for Southern Utah.  She was now clean and ready for her new life—as if she had been baptized in Mexican Water.

Never a Wrong Turn: Part III

Her name is Luka.

As the sun sank in the cloudless sky, we entered Utah near Boundary Butte.  After crossing over the San Juan River, the road to Valley of the Gods meanders between sheer red rock cliffs and smooth sandstone formations.  The scenery became more spectacular with each passing mile.  The vibration of the road lulled the little put to sleep.  With each bend in the road, her eyes would flicker open and shut.

The pup awoke as I turned onto the washboard dirt road leading into Valley of the Gods.  I was late by a few hours to meet up with my friend John from Tennessee.  I had befriended him during the Borderland Overland, a trip that I guided along the US/Mexican border to the Overland Expo in back in April.  John was traveling with his buddy Blaine; the two were zigzagging across Southern Utah in John’s VW Syncro Campervan.  As I rounded the last bend to Castle Butte, I spotted the drab green van.  It was situated below a towering rock spire at the end of a narrow two-track.  While we greeted, I opened the door of my truck and the pup jumped out.  She darted into the nearby bushes and hunted for a place to pee.  Under normal circumstances, I’d start handing beers out while explaining my tardiness.  In this case, rescuing a puppy from under a dead horse was excuse enough.  The guys immediately loved her.   

Photo: John's perfect set-up, in the perfect spot, at the perfect time of day(the case of Pacifico doesn't hurt either)- Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

Photo: Determined to follow me as I photograph the valley from a high vantage, Luka scales the steep hillside- Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

I staked the last corner of my tent as the sun disappeared behind Castle Butte.  The pup had been lazily watching me work while she lay under my truck.  John suggested that we head into Mexican Hat, a tiny community about 30 miles south, for dinner at the Swingin' Steak.  The rustic outdoor eatery provides patrons with thick cuts of local beef, seasoned and grilled to perfection over an open fire.  The restaurant owner, who doubles as the grill-master, swings an iron grate over the fire with one hand while he holds a beer with the other.  What more could a parched and weary traveler ask for?  He had no problem with letting the pup sit beneath our table.  As we sipped beers and exchanged stories, we fed the pup from our plates.  All the while a group of German kayakers looked on with amusement.  After the feast, we returned to camp with full bellies and enough leftover beef to keep the pup fed until I could buy proper dog chow.  

Photo: Swingin' Steak Grill Master- Mexican Hat, Utah

Photo: Vegetarian Plate (so long as you give the dog the meat)- Swingin' Steak, Mexican Hat, Utah

That night at camp we tipped the bottle and exchanged stories around the crackling campfire.  I leaned back in my chair and gazed into the heavens.  With the closest city lights hundreds of miles away, Valley of the Gods has the most spectacular night sky I’ve ever seen.  Infinite galaxies, stars and planets contrasted themselves against the darkness.  While we conversed, the pup lay fast asleep under my chair.  Although she had been free to wander camp, she liked to stay close.  When we finally retired for the night, she followed me to the tent and climbed in like a regular.  She plopped down on my pillow and sprawled out—smart pup I had found.

Photo: Fireside John Franzen- Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

In the morning we broke camp and loaded our rigs.  We ascended the switchbacks of the Moki Dugway and hiked to Three Rooms Ruins by way of Cigarette Springs.  After parting ways with John and Blaine, the pup and I pressed north through the grand landscapes of Cedar Mesa, Comb Ridge and Manti-La Sal National Forest bound for Moab.  The main purpose of my trip to Utah was to attend Cruse Moab.  The annual off-road event brings hundreds of 4WD Toyota enthusiasts from around the country to test their skills and equipment against Moab’s infamous trails.  Aside from camping and four wheeling with my Toyota friends, Cruise Moab is one of the biggest off-road events I photograph each year.  When we finally arrived in Moab, I took the pup to the local vet.  The vet examined her thoroughly and concluded she was in excellent health.  After the pup was immunized, we were free to go.          

Photo: Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

Photo: Moki (Mokee) Dugway, Route 261, Utah

Photo: Three Room Ruin, Cedar Mesa, Utah

For the remainder of the trip we camped in Moab near the Colorado River.  At night the pup would wedge herself between my sleeping bag and the tent wall.  With the slightest noise outside, she would sit up at full attention and grumble.  Usually around midnight, she would transition to my sleeping bag, waking me up as she wiggled in.  Sometimes while she slept, her little legs would twitch and she would make muffled grunts; almost as if she was dreaming of chasing a rabbit.

Photo: Salt Valley Overlook, Arches National Park, Utah

One morning I woke to a wet sleeping bag, she had peed in it during the night.  I could hear her rustling around in the tent somewhere.  I got out of my soggy bag and found the dog head first in my duffel bag burrowing into my clothes.  As I pulled her out I realized she was soaking wet.  I spent the rest of the morning washing gear and clothes.  I draped everything over the tent to dry in the sun, while we were out running trails.  Another day she managed to find my cell charger, IPod dock and a handful of maps while I bought groceries.  She chewed through the cords and shredded the maps in a matter of minutes.  I was lucky to have another charger, but my iPod was rendered useless—it would be country radio from then on.  On Cliff Hanger, a trail made famous for being precariously etched into the side of a cliff, she tried to jump over the center console while I made a sandwich in the back.  She became so excited from the scent of lunch meat; she peed into the console tray which contained my wallet and spare change.  As her personality seemed to develop, so did some bad habits.  She would pee whenever I picked her up.  She would bark uncontrollably at her food bowl when it was empty.  She would scratch at the tent door to get out, only wanting back in seconds later.  These were just some of the games she liked to play.  I did, however, like how she constantly rolled in the dirt—the dirt did a fine job of soaking up the lingering odor in her fur.  

During the next week we traversed over 300 miles of rugged backroads and trails around Moab, Canyonlands National Park and Canyon Rims Recreation Area.  She liked riding shotgun on the passenger floor board of the truck.  Her spot was shaded by the dash and situated below a cold blowing air-conditioning vent.  She didn’t seem to care much about the constant bouncing while I navigated rugged canyon bottoms and high shelf roads.  Sometimes she would get up on the seat and put her paws on the window to take in the view.  Despite her skittish bladder, the pup was quickly becoming the ultimate trail dog.    

Photo: Cliff-edge climb- Cliff Hanger Trail, Canyon Rims Recreation Area, Utah

Photo: Hell's Gate- Hell's Revenge Trail, Moab, Utah

She drew much attention, whether it was out on the trail, walking through Moab or back at camp.  People would often ask what kind of dog she was.  As they pet her, I would respond by saying that I had rescued her.  Sometimes I’d add: “from a dead horse”.  In the extended version, some would lean back from the pup and wipe their hands, some would pull their children away, and some would laugh in disbelief.  Most would keep on petting her while they listened to her story.  It was nice to hear so many people offer to take in her if I could not.  It was too late though, I had already fallen hard for the little pup.   

Photo: Luka at Amasa Back- Cliff Hanger Trail, Canyon Rims Recreation Area, Utah

On my return home, I retraced my steps through Navajoland to visit the place I found the pup.  Along the lonely Indian Route 12, I passed a sign for Lukachukai, a small Indian village nestled against the Chuska Mountains.  I said the village name Lukachukai in my head a few times before it came to me.  “Her name is Luka” I said aloud.  Although I had been bombarded with a many name suggestion, I had been holding out for such an epiphany.  The name was simple and would serve as a constant reminder of her story.  When I spotted the dead horse, I decelerated and pulled off the main road.  The corpse had been ravaged in the week since I had seen it last.  I scanned the horizon for the black pup that had run away.  The only sign of life were buzzing flies and a black crow perched atop a slanted wood post.  I couldn’t help but feel sorrow for that black pup.  The setting sun illuminated the surrounding landscape, painting it with brilliant shades of red and orange.  As a cool breeze rustled the grass, I reflected on the blessing of finding the little pup and I paid my respects to the dead horse for providing her shelter.  I looked over the landscape one last time, but still no black pup.  On a somber note we departed, Luka plopped her head down and gave a long grunt.

The engine strained as I drove through the forested hills south of Greasewood.  In the fading dusk light, I watched a pack of wild dogs running between the trees.  They looked like jackals pursuing their next meal.  I looked down at the little pup lying asleep on the floorboard—her path had been forever changed.  

-I found a puppy burrowed beneath a dead horse on the desolate flats north of Canyon de Chelly.  Her name is Luka.

Photo: The little pup, moments after I found her- Indian Route 12, Navajoland, Arizona

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Colorado Exploration: END

2011-10-30T17:50:00.000-06:00

NMBR’s Coloado Exploration complete. From Salida, our route to New Mexico followed Highway 285 through the San Luis Valley, past Great Sand Dunes National Park and Antonito—where the C&T train was departing for Chama. Fall Exploration of New Mexico Ahead. Stay Tuned...

Boathouse Cantina- Salida, Colorado

2011-10-30T17:30:00.001-06:00

To start your evening in Salida, try the Boathouse Cantina (provided you can get a seat overlooking the river rapids). Enjoy a round or two while reminiscing about the day’s adventures and watching the kayakers below.

2011-10-30T16:50:00.000-06:00

Stuck in a Hole- Salida, Colorado

2011-10-28T13:32:00.000-06:00

Photo: A river guide extends a boom to a stranded rafter in an attempt to free her from a “hydraulic” hole. 

Originally, the raft had two occupants; the man jumped overboard and swam ashore, leaving the woman behind to battle the rotating torrent solo. A randomly passing river guide witnessed the situation and responded immediately. Eventually the guide threw a line to the woman and managed to pull her and the raft ashore. A good amount of gear including a tackle-box, fly rod, and fly case were sacrificed to the Arkansas River during the fiasco. Should you find yourself in a similar predicament, the fall issue of Rapid Magazine highlights how to escape a hole HERE

Salida Life- Salida, Colorado

2011-10-28T10:47:00.002-06:00

Salida Life- Between the backroads of Central Colorado, it‘s easy to find yourself in Salida at the end of the day. Its central location provides easy access for nearly every outdoor pleasure imaginable. The area's most notable natural feature is the Arkansans River. The Arkansas River attracts both those looking for solitude and those looking for adventure. Along the weathered sidewalks, dogs and bikes wait outside the local markets and cantinas for their owners to return. In Salida, you need not go further than the corner of F Street and 1ST Street to see classic Americana that mixes one part Norman Rockwell, one part mountain town, and one part Austin, TX. It seems Salida’s eclectic mix of residents know how to live the good life.

Photo Locations: Capricorn Sports Building, F -  Street Storefront, Old Patterson Explosives & Sundries Building & Arkansas River

Colorado Exploration: Sawatch Mountain Range - Mt. Antero II

2011-10-27T16:59:00.000-06:00

A beryl (aquamarine) hunter hikes the southern flank of Mt. Antero in search of the precious blue-green stone. The steep mountainsides of Antero are famous among rock hounds for the crystallized specimens—some claim a small fortune can be found. This shot was my favorites from the CO trip: A snow storm was moving in from the west; bringing with it frigid winds, snow flurries and fast moving clouds. The rapid change in lighting provided a spectacular contrast between the surrounding peaks and valleys. Salida, Mt. Blanca and the Sangre De Cristo Range are visible in the background.- Elevation: 13,767

Colorado Exploration: Sawatch Mountain Range - Mt. Antero

2011-10-27T11:54:00.001-06:00

With an elevation of 14,276 feet, Mount Antero is the eleventh highest peak in Colorado. The road that snakes up Antero is among the highest dirt roads in North America—and easily one of the most exhilarating. The road is characterized by long stretches of narrow shelf road with multiple switchbacks that zigzag up the steep mountainside. Drivers are cautioned to look far ahead for vehicles traveling in the opposite direction—passing is not an option in many places. As the last quarter mile to the top is especially loose and dangerous, many choose to park and hike the final quarter-mile stretch to the top.

Classic Power Wagon Sighting- Ouray, Colorado

2011-10-23T10:50:00.000-06:00

It's not everyday you see a perfectly restored classic Power Wagon.  This "work of art" was parked along Ouray's main-drag, waiting to be released into its natural habitat.  The truck's builders were going to be test driving this beast up Poughkeepsie Gulch, one of the most difficult trails in the San Juan Mountains. 

"Think of a Dodge Power Wagon on steroids and you have the Legacy Power Wagon Conversion™. Based on the most revered name in truck history, each Legacy Power Wagon Conversion™ begins with a completely restored Dodge Power Wagon. Handcrafted by artisan auto mechanics at Legacy Classic Trucks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Legacy Power Wagon Conversion™ is the truck for the serious collector looking to recreate the ruggedness and integrity of the American West. Prices start at $105,000. Worldwide delivery is available"-LPW 

Visit The Legacy Classic Truck website by clicking HERE

Silvershield Stout & Burgers at the Ouray Brewery- Ouray, Colorado

2011-10-20T15:56:00.001-06:00

The Ouray Brewery provided the best food and brew we had while visiting Ouray, Colorado. Friendly staff, cold beer and juicy burgers...did I mention they toss their fries in fresh minced garlic?

Visit the Ouray Brewery's website by clicking HERE

Main Street Stroll- Ouray, Colorado

2011-10-20T15:51:00.002-06:00

Descending Black Bear Pass: Video View From the GoPro HD Hero

2011-10-17T08:40:00.000-06:00

Black Bear Pass: Staring down the face of a sheer cliff, wheels locked & feeling the truck slide towards the edge—what a rush of blood to the head. It seems like a 5,000 lb. truck is easily hypnotized by gravity in precarious situations. Once in awhile, I have to put the camera down, and both hands on the wheel. This is one of those trails best recorded by the GoPro HD. ©NMBR 

View from the GoPro HD 

Colorado Exploration: San Juan Mountains - Black Bear Pass II

2011-10-17T08:17:00.001-06:00

Colorado Exploration: San Juan Mountains - Black Bear Pass

2011-10-17T07:44:00.003-06:00

Colorado Exploration: San Juan Mountains - Corkscrew Pass, Cement Creek, Red Mountain & Hurricane Pass

2011-10-14T08:35:00.001-06:00

Colorado Exploration: San Juan Mountains - View From Brown Mountain

2011-10-14T08:02:00.000-06:00

Colorado Exploration: San Juan Mountains - Brown Mountain, Red Mountain & Hurricane Pass

2011-10-14T07:53:00.001-06:00

Backcountry Tamales: NMBR Style

2011-10-06T16:16:00.003-06:00

EZ Backcountry Prep of Frozen/Premade Tamales- To elevate tamales above water (no one likes soggy tamales), arrange heat resistant objects in pan bottom such as crisscrossed metal utensils to act as a makeshift stand (for deeper pots, use a heat resistant bowl flipped upside-down). Fill pan with enough water to nearly submerge makeshift stand and tightly place tamales together. Cover pan with lid, place over flame and steam for 15 minutes. Grab a Negra Modello and enjoy…

Colorado Exploration Ahead!

2011-10-05T17:01:00.003-06:00

Wag Your Trail- Boston Hill II, Silver City, NM

2011-10-04T07:40:00.002-06:00

With names like "Adonis Pits," "Luck Separation Mill" and the "King Bolt Pit," sites on Silver City's rugged Boston Hill immediately recall the Town's historic era of hard-rock mining for copper, silver and other precious metals. Today, however, these destinations have been transformed into hiking destinations for one of the Town's large greenbreaks, the Boston Hill Open Space Trail System.-SilverCity.org 

Dog Gives Chase near the Spring Street trailhead of Boston Hill (The suspense begins at 1:22 in the video)- View from the GoPro HD 

Riding the Net Chasm- Boston Hill, Silver City, NM

2011-09-27T08:30:00.002-06:00

With names like "Adonis Pits," "Luck Separation Mill" and the "King Bolt Pit," sites on Silver City's rugged Boston Hill immediately recall the Town's historic era of hard-rock mining for copper, silver and other precious metals. Today, however, these destinations have been transformed into hiking destinations for one of the Town's large greenbreaks, the Boston Hill Open Space Trail System.-SilverCity.org 

Riding the Net Chasm (a cable net draped over the opening of a 100-food deep open pit mine shaft) View from the GoPro HD 

The Lonley Road to Silver City

2011-09-22T14:02:00.001-06:00

Mimbres River Valley at Dusk- HWY 180/60 Junction, Luna County, NM

The Rim Trail: Southern New Mexico’s Heavenly Singletrack

2011-09-20T08:36:00.000-06:00

View from the Rim Trail—a roller-coaster-like, 20 mile long singletrack outside of Cloudcroft, NM. The trail winds through aspen groves and thick forest along the westernmost edge of the Sacramento providing a bird’s eye view of White Sands National Monument. - Sacramento Mountains, NM

Monsoon Season in Southern New Mexico

2011-09-16T15:06:00.000-06:00

Dripping Springs Road & Dona Ana Mountains - Dona Ana County NM

Thunderhead Plains with Ara & Spirit III

2011-09-10T12:03:00.002-06:00

View Ara Gureghian's journal and fine photography at http://theoasisofmysoul.com/ 

Thunderhead Plains with Ara & Spirit II

2011-09-10T11:56:00.000-06:00

Thunderhead Plains with Ara & Spirit

2011-09-09T17:01:00.000-06:00

Cliff Hanger Video (Part II)- Moab, Utah

2011-09-01T10:30:00.000-06:00

The thrilling Cliff Hanger trail lives up to its name. The obstacle rich trail is suitable for vehicles equipped with a rear locker, underbody protection, winch, aggressive approach/departure angles and 33-inch tires. The 10-mile out and back trail scales Amasa Back, a mesa that has been carved out by the Colorado River and is now surrounded by sheer cliffs. The fun begins at the trailhead with a loose rocky "staircase-style" decent before crossing Kane Creek and winding up to the cliffside thrills of Amasa Back. The trail's most notable obstacle "Cliff Hanger" is perched alongside a 1,000-foot vertical drop-off.

Utah Exploration- Arches National Park III

2011-09-01T09:59:00.002-06:00

Salt Valley Overlook

G's F-Toy- Hell's Revenge- Moab, Utah

2011-09-01T08:39:00.000-06:00

Cliff Hanger Video (Part I)- Moab, Utah

2011-09-01T07:33:00.000-06:00

The thrilling Cliff Hanger trail lives up to its name. The obstacle rich trail is suitable for vehicles equipped with a rear locker, underbody protection, winch, aggressive approach/departure angles and 33-inch tires. The 10-mile out and back trail scales Amasa Back, a mesa that has been carved out by the Colorado River and is now surrounded by sheer cliffs. The fun begins at the trailhead with a loose rocky "staircase-style" decent before crossing Kane Creek and winding up to the cliffside thrills of Amasa Back. The trail's most notable obstacle "Cliff Hanger" is perched alongside a 1,000-foot vertical drop-off.

Utah Exploration- Arches National Park II

2011-08-27T06:30:00.001-06:00

Clover Canyon, Fiery Furnace & Sand Arch Slot

Utah Exploration- Arches National Park

2011-08-22T20:33:00.001-06:00

Sand Arch Slot

Utah Exploration- Arches National Park

2011-08-21T10:44:00.005-06:00

Salt Valley Overlook

Hell's Revenge 4WD Trail: Cruise Moab 2011 (Part II)

2011-08-18T07:15:00.000-06:00

Hell's Revenge 4WD Trail: Cruise Moab 2011 (Part I)

2011-08-17T07:47:00.000-06:00

The Hell’s Revenge trail is one of my favorites—it’s obstacle rich, provides spectacular views in all directions and is close to the town of Moab.  Eager to feel slickrock under my tires after a 10-hour haul from New Mexico, this is traditionally the first trail I run after arriving in Moab.  The Hell’s Revenge trailhead is located in the parking lot adjacent to the Sand Flats Recreation Area (SFRA) toll booth, a mile or so northeast of Moab.  Characterized by sand, boulders, ledges, slickrock and steep grades, the trail provides something for everyone.  For those looking to tackle the trail’s most challenging obstacles (sans The Escalator) vehicles with the following equipment are strongly recommended at a minimum: rear locker, underbody protection, winch, aggressive approach/departure angles and 33-inch tires.  Hell’s Gate, the trail’s most notable obstacle, requires drivers to straddle a steep V-notch climb for nearly 100 feet.  When traction is lost and tires break loose, the result is often ugly.  Mistakes made on Hell’s Gate can have instant results as seen in this YouTube video HERE.  Other noteworthy obstacles on Hell’s Revenge include:  The Escalator, Tip-Over Challenge and the off camber decent of Rubble Trouble Hill.  The seven mile long trail is clearly marked by painted yellow flames.  Please use caution as Hell’s Revenge crosses the path of the heavily traveled Slickrock bike trail at several sections.  

Cliff Hanger/Amasa Back 4WD Trail: Cruise Moab 2011

2011-08-14T10:56:00.040-06:00

Imagine easing your 4WD vehicle over a 4-foot ledge on a narrow shelf road, precariously positioned at the edge of a sheer cliff.   As you take the plunge, the kids strapped in the back start screaming.  Given the extreme forward angle, the ice chest in the cargo area breaks loose; a slurry of ice and water rush down the floorboard looking for a fast exit.  Your tires fight to maintain a straight line against the off camber decent while the truck leans towards the edge.  By now the wife is screaming and crying with the kids; she’s babbling about how she never wanted to come on the trip, but felt guilty after her friend’s bachelorette party in Vegas.  As you clutch the steering wheel with white knuckles, beads of sweat roll down your forehead and into your eyes—stinging worse than your wife’s words.  Despite the brake pedal being mashed to the floor, gravity shows no mercy and the vehicle continues to slide forward.  Once the rear bumper is finished dragging itself down the face of the ledge, all four tires are reunited with flat earth; you realize the worst is behind you.  As fast as the mayhem started, it’s over—you successfully conquered the Cliff Hanger obstacle.  Now about that Vegas trip…

While the scene inside the vehicle may be a bit less dramatic than described above, the thrilling Cliff Hanger trail lives up to its name.  The obstacle rich trail is suitable for vehicles equipped with a rear locker, underbody protection, winch, aggressive approach/departure angles and 33-inch tires.  The 10-mile out and back trail scales Amasa Back, a mesa that has been carved out by the Colorado River and is now surrounded by sheer cliffs.  The fun begins at the trailhead with a loose rocky “staircase-style” decent before crossing Kane Creek and winding up to the cliffside thrills of Amasa Back.  The trail’s most notable obstacle “Cliff Hanger” is perched alongside a 1,000-foot vertical drop-off.   

The grand vistas at the farthest point of the trail are nothing short of spectacular; views include Jackson Hole, Dead Horse Point, the Colorado River and the Potash Pits.  Those who fear heights need not apply!  On the return trip the Cliff Hanger obstacle must be scaled; hugging the canyon wall and easy use of the throttle is advised here.  Stray tire tracks can often be seen on the absolute cliffside edge of the obstacle, these marks represent dangerous, throttle heavy, and failed attempts to climb the ledge—this the reasons a rear locker is recommended for this trail.

A short side track from the main trail leads to an overlook providing a view of the goose-necking Colorado River and Poison Spider Mesa.  Since the Cliff Hanger is popular among mountain bikers and motorcyclists, stop and let them pass when they approach.

Metal Masher 4WD Trail: Cruise Moab 2011

2011-08-10T21:36:00.000-06:00

Metal Masher is a challenging 4WD trail located on Arth’s Rim and is accessible by following the Gemini Bridges Trail from Highway 191 (north of Moab).  The trail is suitable for vehicles equipped with a rear locker, underbody protection, aggressive approach/departure angles and and 33-inch tires.   Experienced drivers with more aggressive vehicles will enjoy the challenge of Metal Masher’s most notable obstacles, Widow Maker and Rock Chucker.  Both of these obstacles involve scaling a steep ledge; careful tire placement and throttle control is required.  For those that aren’t up for the challenge of Widow Maker and Rock Chucker, legal bypasses are available.  At the midpoint of Metal Masher, the trail skirts the 1,000-plus foot drop off of Arth’s Rim.  The vista at the cliff’s edge provides a bird’s eye view of Arches National Park, the Colorado River and the La Sal Mountains.  

New Mexico Backroads 4Runner Featured in 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine

2011-08-03T06:45:00.000-06:00

-4WD Toyota Owner magazine is devoted to ALL Toyota 4x4 models, from old to new. Land Cruiser. Tacoma. 4Runner. Tundra. T100. Mini pickup. PreRunner. Prado. Hilux. Rockcrawlers. The FJ Cruiser.

The goal of 4WD Toyota Owner is to bring a fresh, new, independent attitude to the 4WD Toyota community. 

The New Mexico Backroads 4Runner is featured in the July/August issue of 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine.  The cover shot is of me piloting the NMBR 4Runner through a boulder field on the Rocotillo Rapids trail.  The “extreme” rated trail is located in the Chile Canyons northwest of Las Cruces.  In the six-page article, I describe the evolution of the NMBR 4Runner over the past five years.

The 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine article highlights how I built the NMBR 4Runner for dual purposes: rock crawling and expedition type travel.  Amongst a long list of modifications, the truck is equipped with 35-inch tires, dual lockers, underbody protection and custom bumpers.  These components allow the NMBR 4Runner to traverse technical trails and still cruise on the highway at 75mph.  Visit the image galleries of New Mexico Backroads and you will quickly realize variety of terrain and varying conditions to which the truck is subject.

Each year I log over 10,000 miles (nearly half of those on dirt) traveling the backroads of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.  After each trail run and trip, I’m under the truck inspecting for damage and irregularities.  Most often I find nothing, but I enjoy the peace of mind and being familiar with the truck.   I obsess because I don’t want to be left out on the side of a mountain broken down because I neglected something simple.  Having a dual purpose rig means knowing its limitations and paying careful attention to critical components.  Since the NMBR 4Runner is fully built and complete, the majority of my attention and resources now go towards the preservation of the truck with a rigorous maintenance schedule.  This helps ensure the NMBR 4Runner’s reliability and performance.  While I’m often envious of more capable rigs, very few can turn around and drive 500 miles home.  With over 160,000 miles on the odometer, the NMBR 4Runner continually proves itself as reliable.

To subscribe to 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine or to purchase an individual copy of the July/August issue, visit their website by clicking HERE.  The magazine is also available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Hastings.  Featured photography by Jake Quinones, Rory Hayostek & George Zoros  

Southeast Utah Exploration- Three Room Ruin, Cedar Mesa, Utah

2011-08-02T06:45:00.006-06:00

The ancient Three Room Ruin is located in Road House Canyon. The trail leading to the ruin is accessible by Cigarette Springs Road. The ruin is sometimes called Road House Ruin or Falling Roof Ruin.

Sheets of sandstone above the Three Room Ruin have been falling for centuries, revealing a spectacular dome-like ceiling.  Luckily the falling rock has not damaged the ruin.  It’s possible that the structure helps to support the otherwise unstable pieces that sit directly above it. 

Southeast Utah Exploration- Moki Dugway, Cedar Mesa, Utah

2011-08-01T06:59:00.002-06:00

Ascending the steep dirt switchbacks of the Moki Dugway en route to Cedar Mesa & Three Rooms Ruins- Highway 261, Utah

The Swingin' Steak & Lodge- Mexican Hat, UT

2011-07-30T10:22:00.002-06:00

For those weary adventurists traveling Southeast Utah’s backcountry, craving something more than Jet Boiled ramen and Clif Bars; cold beer and juicy steak awaits them at the Swinging Steak. The rustic outdoor eatery is located in Mexican Hat, a tiny community situated along the banks of the San Juan River. Many find themselves in this sleepy town replenishing their supplies and refueling their expedition vehicles as it’s surrounded by spectacular destinations in every direction. With Valley of the Gods to the north, Comb Ridge to the east, Monument Valley to the South and The Goosenecks to the west, Mexican Hat has a variety of adventures at its doorstep. The Swingin’ Steak provides patrons with thick cuts of local beef, seasoned and grilled to perfection over an open fire. The restaurant owner, who doubles as the grill-master, swings an iron grate over the fire with one hand while he holds a beer with the other. The menu is about as simple as it gets: steak, beer, burger, chicken and more beef. What more could a thirsty and tired traveler ask for? On our visit, the owner had no problem with letting the pup sit beneath our table. As we sipped beers and exchanged stories, we fed the pup from our plates. All the while a group of German kayakers sitting a few tables over watched us in amusement. After the feast, we returned to our camp in Valley of the Gods with full bellies and enough leftover beef to keep the pup fed for days. Don’t bother sifting through Trip Advisor's snobby reviews of the Swingin' Steak. Simply pay them a visit, have a beer and relax while you watch your steak swing above the flames.

Never a Wrong Turn (Part III)

2011-07-25T20:38:00.010-06:00

Her name is Luka.

As the sun sank in the cloudless sky, we entered Utah near Boundary Butte.  After crossing over the San Juan River, the road to Valley of the Gods meanders between sheer red rock cliffs and smooth sandstone formations.  The scenery became more spectacular with each passing mile.  The vibration of the road lulled the little put to sleep.  With each bend in the road, her eyes would flicker open and shut.

The pup awoke as I turned onto the washboard dirt road leading into Valley of the Gods.  I was late by a few hours to meet up with my friend John from Tennessee.  I had befriended him during the Borderland Overland, a trip that I guided along the US/Mexican border to the Overland Expo in back in April.  John was traveling with his buddy Blaine; the two were zigzagging across Southern Utah in John’s VW Syncro Campervan.  As I rounded the last bend to Castle Butte, I spotted the drab green van.  It was situated below a towering rock spire at the end of a narrow two-track.  While we greeted, I opened the door of my truck and the pup jumped out.  She darted into the nearby bushes and hunted for a place to pee.  Under normal circumstances, I’d start handing beers out while explaining my tardiness.  In this case, rescuing a puppy from under a dead horse was excuse enough.  The guys immediately loved her.   

Photo: John's perfect set-up, in the perfect spot, at the perfect time of day(the case of Pacifico doesn't hurt either)- Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

Photo: Determined to follow me as I photograph the valley from a high vantage, Luka scales the steep hillside- Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

I staked the last corner of my tent as the sun disappeared behind Castle Butte.  The pup had been lazily watching me work while she lay under my truck.  John suggested that we head into Mexican Hat, a tiny community about 30 miles south, for dinner at the Swingin' Steak.  The rustic outdoor eatery provides patrons with thick cuts of local beef, seasoned and grilled to perfection over an open fire.  The restaurant owner, who doubles as the grill-master, swings an iron grate over the fire with one hand while he holds a beer with the other.  What more could a parched and weary traveler ask for?  He had no problem with letting the pup sit beneath our table.  As we sipped beers and exchanged stories, we fed the pup from our plates.  All the while a group of German kayakers looked on with amusement.  After the feast, we returned to camp with full bellies and enough leftover beef to keep the pup fed until I could buy proper dog chow.  

Photo: Swingin' Steak Grill Master- Mexican Hat, Utah

Photo: Vegetarian Plate (so long as you give the dog the meat)- Swingin' Steak, Mexican Hat, Utah

That night at camp we tipped the bottle and exchanged stories around the crackling campfire.  I leaned back in my chair and gazed into the heavens.  With the closest city lights hundreds of miles away, Valley of the Gods has the most spectacular night sky I’ve ever seen.  Infinite galaxies, stars and planets contrasted themselves against the darkness.  While we conversed, the pup lay fast asleep under my chair.  Although she had been free to wander camp, she liked to stay close.  When we finally retired for the night, she followed me to the tent and climbed in like a regular.  She plopped down on my pillow and sprawled out—smart pup I had found.

Photo: Fireside John Franzen- Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

In the morning we broke camp and loaded our rigs.  We ascended the switchbacks of the Moki Dugway and hiked to Three Rooms Ruins by way of Cigarette Springs.  After parting ways with John and Blaine, the pup and I pressed north through the grand landscapes of Cedar Mesa, Comb Ridge and Manti-La Sal National Forest bound for Moab.  The main purpose of my trip to Utah was to attend Cruse Moab.  The annual off-road event brings hundreds of 4WD Toyota enthusiasts from around the country to test their skills and equipment against Moab’s infamous trails.  Aside from camping and four wheeling with my Toyota friends, Cruise Moab is one of the biggest off-road events I photograph each year.  When we finally arrived in Moab, I took the pup to the local vet.  The vet examined her thoroughly and concluded she was in excellent health.  After the pup was immunized, we were free to go.          

Photo: Castle Butte, Valley of the Gods, Utah   

Photo: Moki (Mokee) Dugway, Route 261, Utah

Photo: Three Room Ruin, Cedar Mesa, Utah

For the remainder of the trip we camped in Moab near the Colorado River.  At night the pup would wedge herself between my sleeping bag and the tent wall.  With the slightest noise outside, she would sit up at full attention and grumble.  Usually around midnight, she would transition to my sleeping bag, waking me up as she wiggled in.  Sometimes while she slept, her little legs would twitch and she would make muffled grunts; almost as if she was dreaming of chasing a rabbit.

Photo: Salt Valley Overlook, Arches National Park, Utah

One morning I woke to a wet sleeping bag, she had peed in it during the night.  I could hear her rustling around in the tent somewhere.  I got out of my soggy bag and found the dog head first in my duffel bag burrowing into my clothes.  As I pulled her out I realized she was soaking wet.  I spent the rest of the morning washing gear and clothes.  I draped everything over the tent to dry in the sun, while we were out running trails.  Another day she managed to find my cell charger, IPod dock and a handful of maps while I bought groceries.  She chewed through the cords and shredded the maps in a matter of minutes.  I was lucky to have another charger, but my iPod was rendered useless—it would be country radio from then on.  On Cliff Hanger, a trail made famous for being precariously etched into the side of a cliff, she tried to jump over the center console while I made a sandwich in the back.  She became so excited from the scent of lunch meat; she peed into the console tray which contained my wallet and spare change.  As her personality seemed to develop, so did some bad habits.  She would pee whenever I picked her up.  She would bark uncontrollably at her food bowl when it was empty.  She would scratch at the tent door to get out, only wanting back in seconds later.  These were just some of the games she liked to play.  I did, however, like how she constantly rolled in the dirt—the dirt did a fine job of soaking up the lingering odor in her fur.  

During the next week we traversed over 300 miles of rugged backroads and trails around Moab, Canyonlands National Park and Canyon Rims Recreation Area.  She liked riding shotgun on the passenger floor board of the truck.  Her spot was shaded by the dash and situated below a cold blowing air-conditioning vent.  She didn’t seem to care much about the constant bouncing while I navigated rugged canyon bottoms and high shelf roads.  Sometimes she would get up on the seat and put her paws on the window to take in the view.  Despite her skittish bladder, the pup was quickly becoming the ultimate trail dog.    

Photo: Cliff-edge climb- Cliff Hanger Trail, Canyon Rims Recreation Area, Utah

Photo: Hell's Gate- Hell's Revenge Trail, Moab, Utah

She drew much attention, whether it was out on the trail, walking through Moab or back at camp.  People would often ask what kind of dog she was.  As they pet her, I would respond by saying that I had rescued her.  Sometimes I’d add: “from a dead horse”.  In the extended version, some would lean back from the pup and wipe their hands, some would pull their children away, and some would laugh in disbelief.  Most would keep on petting her while they listened to her story.  It was nice to hear so many people offer to take in her if I could not.  It was too late though, I had already fallen hard for the little pup.   

Photo: Luka at Amasa Back- Cliff Hanger Trail, Canyon Rims Recreation Area, Utah

On my return home, I retraced my steps through Navajoland to visit the place I found the pup.  Along the lonely Indian Route 12, I passed a sign for Lukachukai, a small Indian village nestled against the Chuska Mountains.  I said the village name Lukachukai in my head a few times before it came to me.  “Her name is Luka” I said aloud.  Although I had been bombarded with a many name suggestion, I had been holding out for such an epiphany.  The name was simple and would serve as a constant reminder of her story.  When I spotted the dead horse, I decelerated and pulled off the main road.  The corpse had been ravaged in the week since I had seen it last.  I scanned the horizon for the black pup that had run away.  The only sign of life were buzzing flies and a black crow perched atop a slanted wood post.  I couldn’t help but feel sorrow for that black pup.  The setting sun illuminated the surrounding landscape, painting it with brilliant shades of red and orange.  As a cool breeze rustled the grass, I reflected on the blessing of finding the little pup and I paid my respects to the dead horse for providing her shelter.  I looked over the landscape one last time, but still no black pup.  On a somber note we departed, Luka plopped her head down and gave a long grunt.

The engine strained as I drove through the forested hills south of Greasewood.  In the fading dusk light, I watched a pack of wild dogs running between the trees.  They looked like jackals pursuing their next meal.  I looked down at the little pup lying asleep on the floorboard—her path had been forever changed.  

-I found a puppy burrowed beneath a dead horse on the desolate flats north of Canyon de Chelly.  Her name is Luka.

Photo: The little pup, moments after I found her- Indian Route 12, Navajoland, Arizona

E N D

Never a Wrong Turn (Part I) CLICK HERE
 & (Part II) CLICK HERE

Never a Wrong Turn (Part II)

2011-07-15T09:44:00.006-06:00

She was amazingly calm as I tried to comb my fingers through her fur; she grunted and licked my hands as I worked.  It took me a good 15 minutes to rid her little belly and paws of the spines and goat heads that immobilized her.  Bits of dried flesh and blood clung to her stubbornly.  I had to cut the chunks of filth out with my Leatherman scissors.  I filled a bowl with water and watched in awe as she downed it in seconds.  I filled it a few more times before she slowed and was quenched.  After rummaging around in my ARB fridge I emerged with a few slices of cheddar and ham.  Her tail furiously wagged as she snatched the morsels out of my hand.  Seems the fastest way to a dog’s heart is with processed meat and cheese.  The foul odor of the pup was overwhelming, almost as if the horse had come along too.

We set off with the windows rolled down due north on Indian Route 12.  My new ambitions were to find a bath for the pup.  Looking at the desolate landscape, I figured I’d be lucky to find a half-full cattle tank.  I wasn’t sure I could hold out for the San Juan River, which was two hours away in Southern Utah.  A few miles down the road I came across a state trooper that was clearing debris from the highway.  I asked him where I might find a gas station or car wash.  Without a word he wiped his brow and pointed north quickly returning to his work.     

An hour later we pulled into Mexican Water, a community marked by little more than a sign and a gas station-diner.  The throwback building sat in the center of a dusty lot surrounded by gear laden SUVs and ranch trucks.  I went inside and asked the cashier where I might find a hose and she directed me around back.  “Don’t leave it running” she said as the screen door slammed shut behind me.  Behind the station, a twenty-something guy wearing a wife beater was hacking weeds, a cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth.  He slowly walked up to the truck and rested his arm on the door. His weed whacker still sputtered in his other hand.  I asked him if where I could find a hose.  Eyes squinting, he leaned inside the window to take cover from the sun.  The rotten smell must have aroused suspicion in him.  He curiously peered down at the floor mat.  “I’ll be damned” he mumbled as he looked at my pup.  “Guess you need a hose then?” He pointed at a spigot and curled hose underneath a tree.  “Hold on, I’ll be back”, he put his machine down and walked into the backdoor of the diner kitchen.  Moments later he came out carrying a green five gallon bucket.  He handed me the bucket and took refuge under the tree, lighting up another cigarette.  Smoke wafted from his mouth as he spoke, “That oughta do the trick”.  In the meantime, I had scrounged a spare leash (used for my other dogs), Dawn dish soap and a towel from my truck.  The loop handle of the leash fit perfectly around the pup’s neck.

Suds billowed from the top of the bucket as I sprayed the soap infused water.  I had an image in my head of those Dawn commercials where they feature their soap heroically cleansing sea creatures of oil spill muck.  The pup’s story would have had their PR department watering at the mouth.  I carried the little dog from the truck over to the bucket; she immediately started to flail knowing she was going in.  I put her in haunches first and she put her front paws on the bucket rim in protest.  She then realized that she liked the feeling of the cool water and settled down.  She looked scrawny once she was wet and her fur was matted.  I lathered and rinsed the pup four or five times until the bath water lost its pink tinge.  Each time, she’d shake the water off while I held her with one hand and refilled the bucket with the other.   Soon I was just as soaked as her and standing in the mud hole I had created.  All the while the handyman looked on with amusement.  

Once finished, I carried her back to the truck wrapped in a towel and dried her off a bit.  She looked magnificent compared to dog I had lifted from the horse carcass a short while before.  I thanked the handyman and offered him compensation for helping me; he chuckled and said the entertainment was payment enough and went back to his weeds.  With that, we drove off bound for Southern Utah.  She was now clean and ready for her new life—as if she had been baptized in Mexican Water.

Never a Wrong Turn (Part I) CLICK HERE

New Mexico Backroads Story Featured in the Saturday Albuquerque Journal

2011-07-11T14:44:00.005-06:00

Albuquerque Journal Columnist Jennifer Huard wrote about Luka, my Navajoland pup, for her feature in Saturday's ABQ Journal. If you missed it, check out her blog http://jenniferhuard.blogspot.com/.

Never a Wrong Turn (Part I)

2011-07-07T06:30:00.002-06:00

I found a puppy burrowed beneath a dead horse on the desolate flats north of Canyon de Chelly.  

Horses run free on the high mesas of Navajoland between Canyon de Chelly and the San Juan River.  They graze along the weathered highways while cars precariously speed by.  All too often, the horses are struck and killed by motorists or attacked by ravenous predators.  Carcasses in various forms of decomposition are frequent along these desolate and lonely stretches of road.

After I passed the “Welcome to Arizona” sign, I realized that I had made a wrong turn some 20 miles back at the junction in Yah-Ta-Hey, a small village north of Gallup, New Mexico.  I had not planned on being in Arizona for another few hours; my original plans were to enter Arizona briefly near Four Corners and continue into Southeastern Utah.  I was meeting my friend John form Tennessee that evening to camp amongst the massive rock monoliths in Valley of the Gods.  After consulting with the map, I decided to press forward through Arizona on Indian Route 12 rather than backtracking.  The highway runs along the New Mexico/Arizona border through Fort Defiance, Tsaile and Rock Point.  The route would give me a chance to see new scenery.

Driving north on the winding Indian Route 12 provides a spectacular display of red rock laced valleys, forest and high desert mesas.  On the high desert plains, north of Canyon de Chelly, I passed dead horse after dead horse.  Some lay on the embankment while others made it a bit further into the scrubland before dying.  The third dead horse I passed provided surreal scene.  A black puppy was playing in the grass tufts behind the massive carcass.  I immediately decelerated and made a u-turn.  As no shoulder exists, I drove down the embankment and stopped a good distance short of the black puppy that was now fleeing.  As it ran, I called to it in every silly voice you would try when attempting to woo a puppy.   I whistled and clapped, but nothing seemed to stop it.  My heart sunk as I watched the dog fade into the distance.

Movement in the shadow of the dead horse caught my eye.  It was another puppy; this one was black and white.  My steps were slow as I approached and talked sweet to the little dog, hoping it would not bolt for the hills.  Then I saw why she couldn’t run away, or even sit up for the matter, her belly and paws were riddled with spines and goat heads. The packed earth beneath the dead horse’s ruptured belly was pink and packed as if the little dog had rolled beneath the beast for days.  The torn horse hide hung like drapes over her burrow.  It was clear that she had been eating at its flesh and had licked parts of the hide bare.  The smell of decay was heavy in the air.  I let her get a view of me for a minute or two before getting closer.  She squirmed and grunted as I reached down for her, but she didn’t growl or snap.  While sweet talking to her, I picked her up and held her to my chest; her tail started to wag.  The spines and goat heads embedded in her skin made holding her like embracing a cactus.  As I walked back to the truck and scanned the barren horizon I couldn’t believe she was still alive—she was a miracle.

 Never a Wrong Turn (Part II) CLICK HERE

Inedpendence Day Weekend- New Mexico Backroads Style

2011-07-04T08:17:00.001-06:00

Cruising down Highway 152 through the Black Range via Emory Pass. Clouds in the sky, cool breeze at my back, life is good... 

(Shot from my GoPro HD Hero)

Images of the Wallow Fire

2011-06-23T09:55:00.000-06:00

Elk flee the Wallow Fire near Centerfire Creek, north of Luna, NM

A fire crew member from Chandler, AZ clears the forest at Hell Roaring Mesa (3 miles northwest of Luna, NM) to inhibit the ensuing Wallow Fire

View west towards Reserve, NM from the San Francisco Mountains (5 miles west of Luna, NM)

Images of the Wallow Fire

2011-06-20T19:27:00.001-06:00

Sunrise

Sunset

Images of the Wallow Fire

2011-06-17T16:32:00.000-06:00

Sunrise above Luna.-Catron County, NM

A wildland firefighter repairs and oils his chainsaw between bouts of underbrush clearing.-Hell Roaring Mesa, Catron County, NM

Hotshots at Hell Roaring Mesa.-Catron County, NM

View west towards Reserve, NM from the San Francisco Mountains (5 miles west of Luna)-Catron County, NM

Hell Roaring Mesa, Catron County, NM

A fire crew member from Chandler, AZ clears the forest at Hell Roaring  Mesa (3 miles northwest of Luna, NM) to inhibit the ensuing Wallow  Fire.-Catron County, NM

Hell Roaring Mesa, Catron County, NM

Images of the Wallow Fire

2011-06-14T06:13:00.001-06:00

A New Mexico State Policeman directs fire traffic on Highway 180 near the NM/AZ state line 

Heavy smoke form the Wallow Fire rises into the sky near Luna as the fire enters New Mexico 

Highway 180 near Luna, NM- long line of firetrucks buzz by for the shift change to the night firefighting crews

Images of the Wallow Fire

2011-06-13T22:07:00.002-06:00

A wildland firefighter works a backblaze intended to slow the Wall Fire which burns only a few hundred feet away

Elk flee from the direction of the Wallow Fire through the San Francisco Mountains.  Many of the animals showed burns and injuries sustained by barbed-wire fences

An eerie and desolate scene on the charred plains east of Nutrioso, AZ

New Mexico Backroads' Wallow Fire Images in Sun News

2011-06-12T16:44:00.002-06:00

Two of my Wallow Fire images are featured in the Sunday edition of the Las Cruces Sun News.  

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez visits with firefighters in Reserve, NM after being briefed by Forest Service officials on thier efforts to contain the 400,000-plus acre blaze. 

Firefighters from Chandler, AZ prepare to backburn the forest at Hell Roaring Mesa in an effort to keep the fire from moving into Luna, NM.

Images from the Wallow Fire- New Mexico Governor Martinez Visits Reserve

2011-06-11T10:23:00.001-06:00

Navajoland

2011-05-26T09:06:00.000-06:00

Overland Expo 2011: Complete Gallery & Slideshow

2011-05-23T05:48:00.000-06:00

Overland Expo 2011 in Pictures V

2011-05-22T08:29:00.001-06:00

Overland Expo 2011 in Pictures IV

2011-05-20T06:44:00.002-06:00

Overland Expo 2011 in Pictures III

2011-05-19T06:49:00.000-06:00

Overland Expo 2011 in Pictures II

2011-05-17T16:47:00.002-06:00

Overland Expo 2011 in Pictures

2011-05-17T16:40:00.004-06:00

Borderland Overland: Part VI

2011-05-14T16:31:00.006-06:00

Awakening to a Southern Arizona sunrise was inspiration enough for me to get out the grill and make a southwest scramble style breakfast.  Sautéed sausage, onion, and potatoes with egg; all laid out on a tortilla with hummus, green chile salsa and avocado.  Others looked on with envy while they ate lukewarm oatmeal and Cliff bars. (Hey, I offered to share!)     

After breakfast and packing camp, we made our way through the Santa Cruz River Valley to Lochiel and The Monument to Fray Marcos de Niza.  The Monument to Fray Marcos de Niza features a massive concrete cross that pays tribute to the named friar that accompanied Francisco Vásquez de Coronado during his expedition into the area.  From the monument, we made our way north through the winding roads of the Patagonia Mountains and Santa Rita Mountains.  Bull Springs Road, the final leg of our adventure, was highlighted by sharp switchbacks and narrow shelf roads that got the attention of the guys pulling trailers.  After descending the Santa Rita Mountains into Amado, we arrived at the Overland Expo.  The Borderland Overland was complete; we all made it without serious injury, breakdown or arrest—a success by our standards.    

It was a bit surreal seeing such a large display of overland vendors, vehicles and people at the Overland Expo after motoring through the desert for two days. As our convoy crept past rows of groomed overland vehicles and equipment, I couldn’t help but think we looked uncivilized as our trucks were filthy and faces a bit haggard. Our unflattering entrance was fitting as we were a “motley crew”.

Borderland Overland: Part V

2011-05-14T07:18:00.007-06:00

Dusty and tired, we made camp at Parker Canyon Lake.  There we met up with Brad (4Runner) and Ace (FJ Cruiser); they were lounging with beer in hand when we arrived.  That evening we gathered around John’s Syncro and told the stories of that day like we had gone to the edge of the earth.  In our minds we had, we had crammed more adventure into one day than most do in 1,000 miles.  It was funny to think that a day earlier we were all strangers—we were now laughing and insulting each other like best of friends.  As beers were sipped and the tales got taller, the sun faded away and the starry sky emerged.  And with that, an epic day came to a close. 

Borderland Overland : Part IV

2011-05-01T16:52:00.004-06:00

After a lunch break at the Coronado National Monument and a winding accent up Montezuma Pass Road, a few of us hiked to the summit of Coronado Peak.  The panoramic view from the top is nothing short of stunning.  To the east: New Mexico, the San Bernardino Valley and San Pedro River Valley—part of the route Francisco Vásquez de Coronado traveled in 1540.  To the south: Sonora, Mexico, the Cerro Colorado and the massive Cananea Copper Mine.  To the west: La Bola, San Rafael Ranch ant the Patagonia Mountains.  After soaking in the grand view, the convoy continued on to our final stop of the day—camp at Parker Canyon Lake.    

Borderland Overland- Blackhawk circles above Coronado National Monument     

Border Patrol F-550 flatbed and F-250 4WD conversion van at Montezuma Pass  

Borderland Overland : Part III

2011-04-27T06:16:00.001-06:00

With the sun burning high above, we continued west from Douglas.  Again, we met dirt and dust at Border Road in route to Naco and Coronado National Monument.  Some in the group traveled with their windows up and AC blasting, while some kept the windows down the entire dust ridden 260+ miles.  Although I enjoy both styles of off-road travel, the guys with the “left arm tan” seem to have more fun.  For a brief and desolate stretch, Border Road hides in the shadow of the massive metal fence that separates the U.S. from Mexico.  This “anti-ram” fence was designed to withstand a high-speed impact by a full-sized pickup truck.  It was nice knowing that a drug runner wouldn’t be t-boning us from the Mexican side. 

In the week prior to the Borderland Overland, 19-year-old Carlos La Madrid was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent outside Douglas.  Apparently, La Madrid was fleeing authorities, when he abandoned his truck and then tried to climb a ladder over the fence into Mexico.  Border Patrol agents later found 48 pounds of marijuana in La Madrid’s truck hinting as to why he fled.

We stopped along the border fence for a token photo op; for some it was sticking their arm through the fence into Mexico, for others it was climbing the fence into…I’m just kidding—seeing if I still had your attention.  My hopes of being tracked down by the Border Patrol, to provide a “full border experience” to the group, were soon fulfilled as I noticed a dust cloud on the horizon.  I could make out two white trucks racing towards us, drivers and passengers bouncing around like ragdolls.  When they finally arrived at the scene, the agents seemed rather disappointed at the sight of us.  Rather than throwing us face first into the dirt and drawing guns; they settled for conversation.

Above Photo by Kirk Isaacson          

The Border Patrol agent behind the wheel spoke with a certain ease and a country draw.  He told me how the cartels had scouts on the U.S. and Mexican sides of the border to monitor movement of law enforcement, illegals, ranchers and rival smugglers.  “They watch us, we watch them.  They gather intelligence, we gather intelligence.  Everyone is trying to keep a step ahead and outsmart the other side.  That’s how the game is played.”  Midway through our conversation, the ground began to rumble.  Within seconds a Border Patrol helicopter thundered overhead in a spectacular show.  Rather than screaming with glee like little girls, we managed to keep our composure.  We’d rehash the story in vivid detail around the campfire at least a half-dozen times before the trip was over—each time the tale would grow a bit longer.  The agent gave me his cell number and a nod to report any suspicious activity we may see down the road and we parted ways.  Were we now part of the game too?  I’d like to think so…     

2011-04-18T07:03:00.000-06:00

Standard Border Patrol Equipment- Geronimo Trail

Borderland Overland : Part II

2011-04-12T20:06:00.007-06:00

If I only provided a fireside tale of friendship, endless backcountry and overlanding, I’d be leaving out what makes traveling these parts a humbling experience—the story wouldn’t be complete.  Violence spurred by drug trafficking and human smuggling has left its mark on small border communities over the years.  It was on the morning of March 27, 2010 that rancher Robert Krentz was shot to death while working his family's 34,000-acre cattle ranch in the San Bernardino Valley near Douglas, AZ.  In Krentz’s last radio communication with his brother, he mentioned crossing paths with an illegal immigrant. After Krentz failed to meet his brother later that morning, authorities were notified and a search was launched. A rescue helicopter located Krentz slouched over his four-wheeler, with the engine still running. Nearby, his dog Blue, lay critically wounded.  Investigators believe that his dog attempted to defend his owner before being shot.  Ironically, locals knew Krentz as a “Good Samaritan” who often helped injured illegals and provided them water during bouts of triple digit desert heat.  Although many theories exist, there are few answers as to who shot Krentz and for what reason.

Crossing into Arizona via the Geronimo Trail, our path would lead us through the San Bernardino Valley, the same area where Krentz was murdered a year earlier, almost to the day.  While some would think of the Borderland as desert and dust, the landscape is unimaginably diverse.  The region is comprised of grassland, forest, high vistas and deep canyons that meander from one side of the border to the other.  As the late morning sun rose into the sky, our convoy sent up a cloud of dust that could be seen for miles around.  The long dirt straight-aways allowed us to throttle through the flatlands.  Airing down to 18PSI made the washboard road disappear. While these roads allow for a brisk pace, football sized rocks sit in the middle of the road, quietly waiting to disembowel vehicles—beware.  When my GPS indicated that we were within a few hundred yards of the Mexican Border, we stopped to take in the international view.  —beware.  When my GPS indicated that we were within a few hundred yards of the Mexican Border, we stopped to take in the international view.

While this may have been a common view for Kirk (Fire Axe) and I, being from Southern NM, most in the group felt like strangers in a strange land gazing into Mexico.  While cameras clicked, cigarettes were being smoked and small talk was made, I noticed a Border Patrol outpost on a hillside to our north.  The centerpiece of the outpost was a F550 flatbed equipped with a boom that extended into the sky.  The rig was fitted with various scopes, antennas and rotating gadgets—possibly with more technology than the USSR’s early space program.  While I focused my zoom to get a better perspective, I quickly realized the agents were staring right back at me through their binoculars.  As one of the agents wore headphones, they were probably listing too.  While I would like to fantasize the Border Patrol watched us with suspicion, we probably looked like nothing more than off-course tourists.  Or sitting ducks…  On the Mexican side, a bustling highway zig zagged through the San Bernardino Valley. The Mexican highway must provide an excellent drop off for those crossing into the U.S.; hence the outpost that overlooked the valley.  With the day quickly warming, and a firm schedule to keep, we pressed on into Douglas to refuel.

While I may not have known Krentz, he seemed like the type of fellow that wouldn’t want his death to deter others from enjoying his little slice of heaven.   If we allow those with ill intent to define the Borderland and cease its exploration, a bit more of the American Wild West will fade away.

Borderland Overland : Part I

2011-04-08T14:24:00.015-06:00

Who’d be crazy enough to meet up with someone they had never met before, at a truck stop in Southern New Mexico, for a rugged and remote trip along the US/Mexican Border?  As I departed Las Cruces at 3AM bound for Lordsburg; I wondered how many of the five that had signed on for the Borderland Overland would actually show.  I pulled into the Pilot truck stop 120 miles later, still under the cover of darkness, to find I had actually fooled these fearless drivers into coming.  It was there I would meet a mixed bag of guys that would later be described as a “motley crew”.  Possibly they had fooled me into taking them?  There was Jay “Foul Mouth” from Chicago driving a Rubicon, Brad “Wilderness First Response” from Denver driving a Tacoma, John “Shaggin’ Waggin” from Tennessee driving a Syncro Campervan, George “The Most Interesting Man in the World” from Quemado, NM driving a FJ Cruiser and finally Kirk “Fire Axe” from Santa Teresa, NM driving a FJ Cruiser.  While some would say that your typical overlander sports a get-up similar to what a Frenchman would have worn in the mid 60’s while traversing the Kalahari, our group looked better prepared for a Baja beach bar.  Once the convoy was rolling, and the CB radio banter began, I quickly realized why I asked that those under the age of 18 sit this one out.  

From Lordsburg, we traveled due south until the pavement ran out, deep into the “Boot Heel” of New Mexico. Dust was already beginning to settle in the valleys like fog as the Border Patrol was changing shifts; the white and green trucks were passing us on the narrow dirt roads at highway speeds.  As the sun began to illuminate the grassy plains of Hidalgo County, a landscape that resembled the opening scenes of ‘No Country For Old Men’ revealed itself.  “Welcome to the Borderland Overland” I said over the radio as we pushed further south towards Mexico. 

Borderland Overland to Overland Expo 2011 - Trip Teaser

2011-04-04T20:56:00.000-06:00

US/MEX Border at Naco, AZ - Photo by Kirk Isaacson

Borderland Overland to OX11

2011-03-29T22:04:00.000-06:00

The NMBR 4Runner is packed and ready for adventure this fine Tuesday evening.  Tomorrow, I'll meet up with a half dozen overlanders in Lordsburg, NM for a fast paced 260-mile overland adventure through the Borderland to the Overland Expo. Nearly two thirds of the route will be dirt.

Scenery along the Borderland Overland route will include desert, grasslands and forest. Nearly two thirds of the route will be comprised of dirt roads, including the Geronimo Trail and Coronado Scenic Byway. Wednesday night camp will be at Parker Canyon Lake; a beautiful backdrop for relaxing around the campfire.  

Route:

Day 1- (180 miles)

A) DEPARTURE- Lordsburg, NM B) Animas, NM C) Geronimo Trail, NM/AZ D) Douglas, AZ E) Montezuma Canyon Road, AZ F) CAMP Parker Canyon Lake, AZ

Day 2- (80 miles)

G) Sunnyside Road, AZ H) Lochiel, AZ I) Patagonia, AZ J) Forest Service Road 143- Bull Springs Road, AZ K) ARRIVAL- Overland Expo, Amado, AZ 

See you at the Overland Expo!

Test Driving G's F-Toy #110- Patzcuaro's Revenge & Big Jim Canyon

2011-03-28T21:28:00.000-06:00

Test Driving G's F-Toy #110- Off Broadway Trail

2011-03-26T06:59:00.000-06:00

George's new F-Toy was nothing short of pure amazing—it powered over most everything we pointed it at. Working the dual transfer cases, manual transmission and an assortment of switches took some getting used to, but by the end of the weekend we were cruising the trails at a record pace.  After being behind the wheel of the F-Toy, rock crawling in the NMBR 4Runner may never be the same.

F-Toy #110

2011-03-23T22:23:00.000-06:00

Stay tuned for one hell of a test drive…

Overland Expo 2011

2011-03-16T17:59:00.005-06:00

New Mexico Backroads will be attending the Overland Expo April 1-3 in Amado, Arizona. The Overland Expo is an international event that educates and inspires people to get out and explore the world through overlandinng. The term “overlanding” describes self-reliant travel to remote and rugged destinations where the journey is the principal goal. The event will feature 70+ different classes and workshops, 100 exhibitors, authors, & videographers from around the world, a film festival and thousands of overlanders from around the world.

Visit the Overland Expo website by clicking HERE

Borderland Overland: Invite

2011-03-15T14:51:00.002-06:00

Borderland Overland to OX11

Who: A few good overlanders. Limited to participants of Overland Expo 2011 (Day Pass or Overland Experience) seeking an overland route to OX11. Only the most self-sufficient, open-minded & good spirited overlanders need apply

What: A fast paced 260-mile overland adventure through the Borderland to the Overland Expo. Nearly two thirds of the route will be dirt!

Where: Southern New Mexico & Southern Arizona (Lordsburg, NM to Amado, AZ)

When: Wednesday, March 30th & Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Looking to go the road less traveled to Overland Expo 2011? New Mexico Backroads will be guiding a two day adventure that will traverse some of the regions’ loneliest roads. Scenery along the Borderland Overland route will include desert, grasslands and forest. Nearly two thirds of the route will be comprised of dirt roads, including the Geronimo Trail and Coronado Scenic Byway. Wednesday night camp will be at Parker Canyon Lake; a beautiful backdrop for relaxing around the campfire.

For those that make the trip; I can almost guarantee they will arrive at the Overland Expo with dirty rigs, big smiles and stories that will make their fellow overlanders envious.

Route:

Day 1- (180 miles)
A) DEPARTURE- Lordsburg, NM B) Animas, NM C) Geronimo Trail, NM/AZ D) Douglas, AZ E) Montezuma Canyon Road, AZ F) CAMP Parker Canyon Lake, AZ
Day 2- (80 miles)
G) Sunnyside Road, AZ H) Lochiel, AZ I) Patagonia, AZ J) Forest Service Road-143, AZ K) ARRIVAL- Overland Expo, Amado, AZ

Schedule:

Day 1- Wednesday, March 30 (180 Miles)
-Group meets at Pilot Truck Stop (1050 East Motel Drive) in Lordsburg, NM. Meeting and briefing will be at 5:30AM, departure will be promptly at 6:00AM.
-Lunch and refuel in Douglas
-Early Evening arrival for camp at Parker Canyon Lake
Day 2- Thursday March 31 (80 Miles)
-Depart Parker Canyon Lake at 8AM
-Lunch Patagonia Mountains
-Early Afternoon Arrival at Overland Expo

Requirements:

Experienced Driver, Reliable 4WD Overlanding Vehicle, Toyota (just kidding), CB Radio, All Terrain Tires (70% tread or better), Spare Tire (same size as the four on the ground), Camping Provisions, Food, Water, Extra Fuel (optional), Tire Repair Kit, Tool Kit, First Aid Kit

Details:

Lordsburg, the meeting point, is located approximately 2.5 hours east of Tucson and 2.5 hours west of El Paso. For those traveling a long distance to Lordsburg, a Tuesday night motel or campsite stay near Lordsburg is recommended. Wednesday night camp will be at Parker Canyon Lake, AZ. Basic bathroom facilities and water are provided (this is a pay per site campground). Fuel will be available in Douglas, Bisbee and Patagonia. For those interested in researching the Borderland Overland route, I recommend purchasing the New Mexico & Arizona Delorme Atlas Books.

Because a large amount of land will be covered in a relatively short period of time, the trip will be fast paced. All departure times will be firm. The Borderland Overland route will traverse long and remote stretches parallel to the US/Mexican Border. While the areas we will be traveling are statistically safe, dangerous illegal activities and border violence are ever-present. Drivers and passengers alike will need to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Cell phone service, as well as any other type of service, will be limited throughout the entire trip. This trip is limited to participants of Overland Expo 2011 (Day Pass or Overland Experience). No one under the age of 18, please.

***Only the most self-sufficient, open-minded & good spirited overlanders need apply***

All travel distances and times are approximate. The Borderland route may be subject to change due to time constraints, bad weather, road closures, or poor road conditions.

If you have any questions or feedback, my full contact info is listed HERE

RSVP by email only: NMBackroads at Gmail dot com

Link to Expedition Portal planning thread HERE

(LIMIT 8 VEHICLES)

Las Cruces Chile Challenge 2011- Rocotillo Rapids

2011-03-13T08:07:00.002-06:00

Anyone else see a problem with what’s going on in the fourth picture of this series?  When a 5,000 pound vehicle starts getting tippy, some people think they possess superhuman strengths and can pull the vehicle back down to earth.  The same mindset tells drivers to put their arm out the window and push against big rocks (like a kickstand) when they are near tipping.  Attempting to defy the laws of physics can have very ugly results.  

Las Cruces Chile Challenge 2011- Patzcuaro's Revenge IV

2011-03-12T08:25:00.001-07:00

Las Cruces Chile Challenge 2011- Patzcuaro's Revenge III

2011-03-11T05:54:00.002-07:00

Moon Buggy on Nemesis II

Las Cruces Chile Challenge 2011- Trails & Tales

2011-03-08T19:43:00.002-07:00

Las Cruces Chile Challenge 2011- Patzcuaro's Revenge II

2011-03-07T19:57:00.004-07:00

Mark Kulachkosky's 2007 twisted Customs Buggy

Keep Our Gila Forest Service Roads Open Rally- Silver City, NM

2011-03-06T16:52:00.003-07:00

In a “standing room only” event, over 700 New Mexicans rallied in Silver City on Saturday to oppose the Forest Service's proposal to close Forest Service roads in the Gila National Forest. Ranchers, sportsman and other outdoor enthusiasts stood side by side to tell the Forest Service “NO” to closing access to 1,800-plus miles of existing Forest Service roads. The National Forest Service has developed an impact study that proposes closure of vast portions of our National Forest (Gila Wilderness). The closures would severely limit access to areas that are prime hunting, fishing and general outdoor areas. Forest Service officials say they expect to reach a decision by May or June as to what roads will be permanently closed.

For detailed information on the Gila National Forest Travel Management Plan visit the USDA Gila National Forest Website HERE. The comment period ends March 7 at high noon.

Questions about the Gila Travel Management plan should be directed to Lisa Mizuno (Gila Travel Management Project Leader), phone: 575-388-8267, email: lmizuno@fs.fed.us

Keep Gila Forest Service Roads Open!

2011-03-05T07:43:00.002-07:00

I’m headed to Silver City to attend the “Rally to Keep Gila Forest Service Roads Open”. The U.S. Forest Service’s proposed Travel Management Plan calls for nearly two thousand miles of roads inside the Gila to be closed. Hundreds of New Mexicans are expected to rally in Silver City today against closing access roads inside the Gila Forest. I’m not usually into politics, but my beloved Gila backroads are at stake. Some of my earliest childhood memories were that of riding shotgun in my Dad’s Bronco and camping along lonely Gila Forest Service Roads. Now days, I photograph and guide the Gila extensively hoping to share my passion for the area’s solitude and beauty.

WHEN: TODAY, SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2011 AT NOON

WHERE: GRANT COUNTY BUSINESS AND CONVENTION CENTER ON HIGHWAY 180 (SILVER CITY, NM)
For a slideshow of New Mexico Backroads’ Gila exploration CLICK HERE

Las Cruces Chile Challenge 2011- Patzcuaro's Revenge

2011-03-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

Las Cruces Chile Challenge 2011- Amatista Ledges

2011-03-03T19:13:00.001-07:00