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I go on frequent overlanding trips but have never posted a trip report here. So here goes.
I followed the New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Route from southern New Mexico to San Luis Colorado. Once there I decided to follow the Enchanted Rockies Trail back south. A total of about 1500 miles. I allowed 3 weeks for the trip but I ended up only needing 2. I left DFW, Texas and headed west. I started the adventure in Carlsbad instead of Dell City. A couple pics from my first campsite.
Not sure what this used to be but it was near whereI camped the first night.
My co pilot for the adventure.
The next morning I headed west through Queen and met up with the NMBDR. From here I headed north along the Guadalupe rim.
That’s White Sands Missile range in the background.
Saw this just off the route. Since I am in the “skoolie” world I could appreciate this old beauty.
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Stopping to fill up on some BLM land. I carried 2Jerry cans not knowing the fuel situation with the covid nonsense going around and reports of Weed being out of fuel. I ended up needing one can three times to make it between some long stretches.
Ill post more on this trip as I have time....
Last edited by offroadnutz; Oct 8, 2020 at 05:41 PM.
This day I knew storms were rolling in so I set up camp early. They blew in at 1400 hours and didn’t stop till 1000 the next morning. It hailed on me 4 times during that period and dropped 40 degrees.
Obviously my chips were bagged at a lower elevation. Lol.
The next day the trails were were a muddy slop fest with quite a few downed trees. My winch got quite a work out moving trees and pulling the truck out of muck.
Glad I still have mud flaps so my truck didn’t get as dirty as it could have.
Came across this one morning. You would think with all the forest fires going around people would put their dam fires out. What an idiot.
Couple more pics in the Lincoln NF.
More to come soon...
Last edited by offroadnutz; Oct 9, 2020 at 04:57 PM.
The following pics are taken north and west of White Sands missile range. The trail goes through a very large private working ranch, a lava field, and a bunch of BLM land and state trust land. The terrain was either wide open and flat or rolling hills. On the open flat places I was able to make good speed and even jumped my truck a few times.
Once I got around White Sands I headed west to Chloride ghost town and Chloride Canyon. I was looking forward to this section due to the Indian dwellings, petroglyphs, and pictographs that are scattered throughout.
Last edited by offroadnutz; Dec 9, 2022 at 05:05 PM.
I eventually came across Zuni Salt lake. There is a lot of history with this lake. The Zuni Indians hold it as sacred and at one time some corporation came in and tried to mine it. This created conflict with the corporation having to abandon the lake and all their equipment.
From here I headed north towards the Navajo reservation.
Once I got to the Navajo reservation I found it to be on lockdown due to covid with no one but residents gaining entry. I was forced to make a huge highway bypass around the reservation. I was forced to bypass on the highway that crosses the Zuni reservation and eventually reaches highway 40. From there I headed east to Grants which is just a short distance from the NMBDR. While in Grants I decided to take a zero day at the Bar S Rv park and get a proper shower and do laundry.
More to come...
Last edited by offroadnutz; Oct 11, 2020 at 05:13 PM.
Once through the Cibola NF the track leads through a few private ranches, coal mining area, and a lot of BLM land. This also begins the longest section of the NMBDR between gas stations. About 200 miles...
Last edited by offroadnutz; Oct 12, 2020 at 04:47 PM.
So it’s an 88 v6 auto 2nd owner I’ve owned for 8 yrs. 300k miles on original motor and rebuilt trans and trans case.
Budbuilt under armor, front bj spacers, and frame brace from 4crawler with ultra low pro bump stops. 2” OME rear kit. Aussie rear locker, X-bull 13000 synthetic rope winch, Trail Gear winch mount (bumper not finished) , receiver hitch spare tire mount. I built 2 Jerry can mounts for the Smittybuilt rear bumper.
Made a folding sleeping platform for the rear with under storage and one drawer.
Removed the center console and installed an electric cooler. I also relocated the rear window switches to the rear of the cooler so I can reach them from the sleeping platform.
I also made some overhead storage for the rear.
There are a ton of small mods I’ve done but this is the basis...
Last edited by offroadnutz; Dec 9, 2022 at 05:16 PM.
Once out of the Cibola NF the NMBDR follows the highway to Abiquiu lake, goes over and down the back side of the dam, then is again a hard dirt path, and follows the Chama river for a good distance.
Right before you re-enter the Carson NF you pass through El Rito and this weird structure. Not sure what it is.
Oct 8, 2020 | 05:15 PM
