18 replies to this topic

[DirkWill]

Yes the Gila spots are wonderful!!  #152 was closed due to flooding that washed out parts of the road when we were there last weekend (!!!), so didn't get to some of the places I'd hoped to this time.  Lake Roberts is nice too...  One of the amazing things about the desert is that one of the most frequent causes of death are thirst and drowning!  Dry stream beds and tiny canyons can become raging flood waters in a very short time with little warning.  8 people drowned in Arizona last month in exactly that situation.  If New Mexico and the Southwest deserts interests you, you might enjoy reading Craig Child's "The Secret Knowledge of Water" beautifully written book!

 

Camp On!!

[ski3pin]

You got me looking for information of City of Rocks

 

Here's a starting point -

 

City of Rocks State Park

[Argonaut20]

Another nice drive is from Beaverhead to 35. Good campgrounds near the headwaters of the East Fork of the Gila (Upper and Lower Black Canyon campgrounds). I would wait until monsoon is past as the road can get really muddy with the rains we've had. Two ways to get to Beaverhead. 1) Go past Magdalena on US60 until you near the VLA. Take 52 south until it meets 59, turn west on 59 to Beaverhead, then 150 through Wall Lake and on to 35. (There used to be a good campground at Wall Lake but it is all private now.)

2) Go south on I25 to the interchange at 89 or 83 (Cuchillo exit). Take 52 to Winston, continue past Winston on 52 until it meets 59. Turn west on 59 to Beaverhead. There is a little town called Chloride a short distance away from Winston (side trip off 52) that you may find interesting. A man is working to rebuild the town and he has a museum formed from a general store that was closed in the 1920's when the mines shut down. Apparently the store had its doors shut and locked at the time, but much of the merchandise was left in the store. Sort of a time capsule.

Edited by Argonaut20, 10 August 2017 - 03:06 PM.

[DirkWill]

Thanks Argonaut20!  I'm logging this info on the "go there" list...

[carld]

City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico is one of my favorite places.  

 

DSC00609.jpg by Carl Devendorf, on Flickr

 

DSC00764-Edit.jpg by Carl Devendorf, on Flickr

 

Edited by carld, 27 August 2017 - 10:36 PM.

[DirkWill]

Have you ever camped there in the winter?  We're considering spending several days around Christmas.  Probably need to soak in the Faywood Hot Springs...

[Durango1]

X2

[carld]

I've been there in November, it can get a little cold at night.  I  have 5 sleeping bags 45, 32, 20, 0, and -22 deg.  I would rate for 20 deg.   Southern NM in the winter is usually nice with short sunny light jacket days and cold nights. 

[DirkWill]

Carld, those are really beautiful photos!  Love the stars!