Gila National Forrest, NM #1

Vermejo · 07-22-2008, 09:15 PM

24 Hours of the Gila

Departing Saturday evening and returning the following day we covered over 400 miles most of which was off-road. Access to the Gila National Forest was at Mimbres, NM via FR 150. FR 150 in combination with FR 142 encircles the NE Gila Wilderness covering over 200 miles depending on the route. We Camped Saturday at Black Canyon Creek under heavy rains in the truck. Morning came with chilly air and a thick fog. We continued the loop on to Beaverhead and FR 142 where the forest breaks giving way to grassy plains and high mesas. The roads in this area are not the best place to travel solo as we passed not a soul; the rains have turned miles of dirt into mud holes and rock ruts. The route returns to heavy forest at Snow Lake and the burnt School Canyon into the high country. The forest in this area, Willow Creek and Bear Wallow, are vegetated like few parts of the Southwest looking more like sections of more northern states. Before hitting pavement at Mogollon my front end seemed to rattle and clunk like sure death at the start what was to be many descending switchbacks. Meghan was thrilled to be in a 5000 lb casket looking down a few thousand feet. I jerked on everything front end and found nothing so I pressed on. After descending, what sounded like a toolbox, I searched to find a rock wedged between the skid and sway bar. With no intention of budging I had to drop the back of the skid for removal. The trip home was cooled by cloud cover and desert storms, a great end.

With time too short this trip; I’ve already planned a return in a few weeks. Enjoy

toyota-erik · 07-22-2008, 09:27 PM

Damn this company computer. I cant see your pics.
A couple years ago, I spent 2 days wandering around Gila. Entered near Silver City and came out overlooking the Plains of St.Agusta with an awsome view of the VLA.
I will be in ABQ in a week with my rig. Might head that way.

wormhole · 07-25-2008, 10:38 AM

Awesome, photos. I need more vacation time.

ROCK HOUND · 07-25-2008, 11:59 AM

Great pics!!! First off i love your 4runner. Second i had no idea that NM was that.............green! Well i know where i am taking my next Vacation. Forest to Desert to Praire all that on one trip.

You are quite the photographer, nice composition, not over-stating the scene. Some of those photos would look great in black&white, kinda like Ansel Adams photos.

Trail_Banger · 07-29-2008, 06:37 AM

Dude,

I have spent many a day out there. Did you guys get up to the Bearwallow tower? Did you make it to Snow Lake? See any bears or wolves? Did you stop into Reserve, which is sometimes called...Reverse. :-)

Later

kramykram · 07-29-2008, 07:42 AM

I hope those were your dogs....

Excellent pics, thanks for sharing.

Djlarroc · 07-29-2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramykram

I hope those were your dogs....

Excellent pics, thanks for sharing.

Yeah! WTH, are those wolves? They are awesome.

Dude, I always love looking at your threads. Awesome Runner, awesome trips, awesome pics.

**rocket** · 08-01-2008, 02:36 AM

Vermejo, As always, thanks for sharing your amazing photos and trail trips..these ones left me disorientated...felt like being there.

Vermejo · 08-09-2008, 08:51 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trail_Banger

Dude,
I have spent many a day out there. Did you guys get up to the Bearwallow tower? Did you make it to Snow Lake? See any bears or wolves? Did you stop into Reserve, which is sometimes called...Reverse. :-)
Later

We went that exact route less the tower and exiting at Reserve. Wildlife was limited this trip despite the heavy rainfall. Elk are going to be good this season as they all looked very healthy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramykram

I hope those were your dogs....
Excellent pics, thanks for sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djlarroc

Yeah! WTH, are those wolves? They are awesome.

Those were some shepherds running loose, quite the life for them. My dog is the black version. Mexican Grey wolves have been released to the area but none were seen this trip.

Vermejo · 08-09-2008, 08:54 AM

Returning to the Gila this past weekend provided sunny skies and hot temperatures for family visiting from the UK. With less vehicle travel than the previous trip we had plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings and sit around a fire. The trip back we visited the City of Rocks. Enjoy

Hayes · 08-09-2008, 09:35 AM

Beautiful pictures and sweet rig.

***Corey*** · 08-09-2008, 09:55 AM

Ditto the dittos

Great pics!

Finally I am on vacation as I type, leaving Monday for a week up at Mt. Rainier to camp.
Will post pics when I get back.

wormhole · 08-09-2008, 05:58 PM

chop_suey · 08-09-2008, 07:46 PM

Awesome pics man!!

6lug · 08-31-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermejo

MMMMM...Boddingtons...

Godzilla · 08-31-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermejo

Returning to the Gila this past weekend provided sunny skies and hot temperatures for family visiting from the UK. With less vehicle travel than the previous trip we had plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings and sit around a fire. The trip back we visited the City of Rocks. Enjoy

hopefully that wasnt a before and after...

nice pics

07-22-2008, 09:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vermejo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 344	Gila National Forrest, NM #1 24 Hours of the Gila Departing Saturday evening and returning the following day we covered over 400 miles most of which was off-road. Access to the Gila National Forest was at Mimbres, NM via FR 150. FR 150 in combination with FR 142 encircles the NE Gila Wilderness covering over 200 miles depending on the route. We Camped Saturday at Black Canyon Creek under heavy rains in the truck. Morning came with chilly air and a thick fog. We continued the loop on to Beaverhead and FR 142 where the forest breaks giving way to grassy plains and high mesas. The roads in this area are not the best place to travel solo as we passed not a soul; the rains have turned miles of dirt into mud holes and rock ruts. The route returns to heavy forest at Snow Lake and the burnt School Canyon into the high country. The forest in this area, Willow Creek and Bear Wallow, are vegetated like few parts of the Southwest looking more like sections of more northern states. Before hitting pavement at Mogollon my front end seemed to rattle and clunk like sure death at the start what was to be many descending switchbacks. Meghan was thrilled to be in a 5000 lb casket looking down a few thousand feet. I jerked on everything front end and found nothing so I pressed on. After descending, what sounded like a toolbox, I searched to find a rock wedged between the skid and sway bar. With no intention of budging I had to drop the back of the skid for removal. The trip home was cooled by cloud cover and desert storms, a great end. With time too short this trip; I’ve already planned a return in a few weeks. Enjoy __________________ 1998 LTD\|DoubleLocked\|4:88's\|BFG KM2 315's\|SMP Bumpers\|Sonoran Steel\|BudBuilt\|WARN

07-22-2008, 09:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
toyota-erik Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: M/V Midland & Biwabik MN Posts: 165	Damn this company computer. I cant see your pics. A couple years ago, I spent 2 days wandering around Gila. Entered near Silver City and came out overlooking the Plains of St.Agusta with an awsome view of the VLA. I will be in ABQ in a week with my rig. Might head that way. __________________ 81 Toyota P/U, 22R with GotPropane kit, wheelbase stretched 5", bobbed box, narrowed tube frame from cab back, full exo, tube doors, Warn 9000i, 36" IROKs,TR bead locks, 4 link front, 3 link rear, Fox 2.0 16" all around. Rear axle is shaved, trussed, V6 3rd, CroMo axles, 4.88, full spool, and disc brakes. Front axle is trussed, HP 3rd, 4.88, 30spline Longfields, and a lunchbox locker. Full hydro Howe desert series race pump(reworked by PSC), CroMo steering arms, 4.7:1 t-case

07-25-2008, 10:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
wormhole Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri/Arkansas/Idaho/Utah/Yuma, Arizona Posts: 1,190	Awesome, photos. I need more vacation time. __________________ 2000 Toyota 4runner auto, 4x4, elocker, budbuilt skid, Sonoran Steel 7.2, 265/75/16 Yokohoma Geolanders AT-S Just call me "T" Sold: 1996 Toyota 4runner, auto, 4x4, Bud Built front skid, Stubb Welding Sliders, SS #3, hella 500's and elocked rear axle

07-29-2008, 06:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Trail_Banger Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 101	Dude, I have spent many a day out there. Did you guys get up to the Bearwallow tower? Did you make it to Snow Lake? See any bears or wolves? Did you stop into Reserve, which is sometimes called...Reverse. :-) Later __________________ 1989 Truck, Regular Cab, 3.slow, 5-speed, Trail Gear rock rails, Bud Built full belly skids & E-Locker Mod.

08-01-2008, 02:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,311	Vermejo, As always, thanks for sharing your amazing photos and trail trips..these ones left me disorientated...felt like being there. __________________ under construction: '96-'02 gone: '92

08-09-2008, 08:54 AM	#10 (permalink)
Vermejo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 344	Gila National Forrest, NM #2 Returning to the Gila this past weekend provided sunny skies and hot temperatures for family visiting from the UK. With less vehicle travel than the previous trip we had plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings and sit around a fire. The trip back we visited the City of Rocks. Enjoy __________________ 1998 LTD\|DoubleLocked\|4:88's\|BFG KM2 315's\|SMP Bumpers\|Sonoran Steel\|BudBuilt\|WARN

08-09-2008, 09:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
Hayes Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,417	Beautiful pictures and sweet rig. __________________ -Hayes

08-09-2008, 09:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,749	Ditto the dittos Great pics! Finally I am on vacation as I type, leaving Monday for a week up at Mt. Rainier to camp. Will post pics when I get back. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge

08-09-2008, 05:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
wormhole Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri/Arkansas/Idaho/Utah/Yuma, Arizona Posts: 1,190	__________________ 2000 Toyota 4runner auto, 4x4, elocker, budbuilt skid, Sonoran Steel 7.2, 265/75/16 Yokohoma Geolanders AT-S Just call me "T" Sold: 1996 Toyota 4runner, auto, 4x4, Bud Built front skid, Stubb Welding Sliders, SS #3, hella 500's and elocked rear axle

08-09-2008, 07:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
chop_suey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Piedmont, SC Posts: 48	Awesome pics man!! __________________ 1996 4Runner Limited 4X4--265/75/16 BFG Land Terrains

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