More Exploring in the Southwest
Wanted to see places I had missed on previous visits. So, started with locations in New Mexico, then across Arizona, Utah and into Colorado. Also, looking for more boondocking camps; especially those at higher elevations.
New Mexico
Began with a stay in the Organ Mountains, then over to Oliver Lee Memorial SP. Went to see the Toy Train Depot and Mexican Canyon Trestle near Cloudcroft. Then over to the Carlsbad area to boondock next to the Río Pecos, see the Pecos River Flume, Sitting Bull Falls, and boondock on Guadalupe Ridge.
Afterward, I boondocked near Weed, then headed toward Ruidoso to boondock camp and see the Smokey Bear Park. Onward to camp at Bottomless Lakes SP and Oasis SP. Went to see the Blackwater Draw Site with prehistoric archeological digs. Up to Sumner Lake SP and Storrie Lake Wetlands, then to Villanueva SP and hiked the Pecos River Trail. Boondocked in Pecos Canyon, and then over to Cochiti Lake to camp.
Stopped at the Hollywood Casino and into Albuquerque for some annual Tardis Service. Continuing into northwestern New Mexico, I camped at Joe Skeen CG near Grants, then went to see the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, and attend the native’s Zuni Festival. Camped at Bluewater Lake SP, then drove over the Continental Divide to hike in the Bisti Wilderness and see some Pre-Bisti Badlands.
Went to the Farmington area and rode my bike in Animas River Park, camped at Angel Peak and Navajo Lake SP-Sims Mesa. Saw the Salmon Ruins of a pueblo, and some interesting Aztec Rocks. Then over to see Shiprock Plus other nice peaks. Boondocked at Hilso Trails, and saw We the People Park in Gallop.
Arizona
On into northeastern Arizona to see the Navajo capital at Window Rock, boondocked by Ganado Lake and went to see Hubble Trading Post. Onward to visit the Hopi at Second Mesa, then continued to Page stopping to see Horseshoe Bend, and saw the Glen Canyon Dam.
Utah
Started with an overlook of Lake Powell and then camping at Lone Rock in Utah. Hiked the Toadstools Trail, boondocked by the Paria River and hiked the Nautilus Trail. Stopped to see the Maynard Dixon summer home and studio, and boondocked next to Mammoth Creek. Went to see Cedar Breaks, hiked the Noah’s Ark Trail, saw Panguitch Lake and Creek, then boondocked nearby in the Dixie NF.
Next was a visit to Red Canyon, two days at Bryce Canyon, a day at Kodachrome Basin, and boondocking in nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A drive along UT-12 Scenic Byway, into Long Canyon and boondock at Rattlesnake Ridge. A hike on the Hickman Bridge Trail of Capitol Reef NP and boondock by Pleasant Creek. Another hike and boondock below Temple Mountain, a visit to see Sego Canyon Rock Art, and a side venture to the Colorado River completed this loop through southeastern Utah.
Colorado
Entering southwestern Colorado, I camped at Rabbit Valley where temps went over 100. Then went to see Colorado Monument and scurried up to higher elevations near Curecanti NRA and Blue Mesa Lake. Boondocked on Carpenter Ridge under tall pines, continued on to see The Gate by the Lake Fork-Gunnison River, and to Lake City.
Boondocked next to Henson Creek, hiked to see Nellie Creek Falls, and rode my bike over to Whitmore Falls passing through Capitol City. Boondocked by Cottonwood Creek, hiked Cataract Gulch Trail and saw Cataract Gulch Cascades. Then went to camp at Deer Lakes CG.
Thus ended the Springtime; but, I lingered in the cool San Juan Mountains throughout the summer.