I recently got back from a 10 day/11 night camping/hiking/offroading excursion to New Mexico and Colorado. The original plan was to stay in NM and get down to the Gila Wilderness but the temps were to great. I headed back north to Colorado and was not disappointed. Below are some of the 300 photos I took along the way.


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Great climbing. Wish I had my gear...


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Stream of beauty


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Eagle's Nest Lake, Wow, what a site when you think NM is all desert.


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North of Red River. Looks like a challenging path....


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Where am I???


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Great trail. Heading back down now. Hope the brakes still work!


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Did someone say off road? Good luck getting through this H2s


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Me in a high country field NW of Taos.

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Purpley Lily?


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OH ˟˟˟˟!!!! Fire and high wind!!!!


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Camping spot at Lagunitas lakes.


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View from the camping spot at Lagunitas.


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OH ˟˟˟˟. 11,900ft and I can't get through! Looks like I have to find a detour.


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Camping at San Lorenzo Canyon w/ my friend Erik.

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Sunset at Rio Grande Reservoir in CO. I must find where this mighty river comes from.


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Next morning along the Rio Grande. Very secluded. The white noise of the river still helps me sleep.


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Off road? You bet.


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What is this? A moose. Sooooooo cool to witness this. A young male feeding on water grass. I watched him for over an hour.


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Crossroads area. Where shall I go?


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Up there???

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Or down there??


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OK. I'll go left and head toward the ridges. I have forded the Rio Grande again!


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Well, I got to the ridge at about 12,00ft, and thought I could get through. Think again. Snow + soil + sun = mud. Nearly slipped off the mountain. Took 30 minutes to get out of this:


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Finally found the head waters of the Rio Grande. You're welcome Texas!


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Crossing the Continental Divide. Technology is great.

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Two VERY capable vehicles.

 

nice pics, thankx for sharing.

 

I'd love to get out west and do something like that in my rig! Great pics!

 

I've lived in Colorado for 21 years and have seen very little of the back country but that's gonna change now that I have my Runner;good pics and they're really gonna make me get out and off road this summer.

 

Nice pics and glad you had a good trip. I really love the Stony Pass area.

I have to say, though, that I'm not very thrilled that you went off the road and trashed it to get around the drift on the way to Kite Lake. If you can't navigate a drift by having one set of tires in the snow and the others on the edge on dry surface, you would be wise not to attempt it. If you were locked, those situations are done much easier. I realize you slipped off the road at some point, but I see no attempt to even stay on the road altogether, which is disappointing. Those tracks are too far to the outside. Next time you visit, please tread lightly and know your vehicle's limitations.

I didn't mean to add a sour note to an otherwise great thread, but this is not cool.

 

Awesome pics! I did a 10 day trip with my Runner in England and Wales and it was a very memorable experience!

 

Wow, what a trip. I am very jealous.

 

Thanks. I fell in love with that trail and the entire area. Silverton is a hidden treasure.

Sorry about the ruts. This was my first time in the area and I really did not expect snow on the trail. I guess I was too motivated to get to Kite Lake and forgot the principal rule; leave no trace.

Most of my experience has been in central NM which is very dry. I'll be much more respectful of the land on my next trip in Sept. Got time then to show me the trails and teach me???

Your pics from San Juan are just plain awesome. I may have to fore go NM and stay in SW CO

 

I was beginning to wonder if I scared you off. I do appreciate your civil response and willingness to do the tread lightly thing the next time around. That's all I, or anyone, can ask for. Thank you.

Glad you liked all the San Juan pics. Name a time and we'll see if I can meet ya there! Here's one of Kite Lake, which you were not too far from.