Trip #135 (66): Our Own Jemez Mountains + Bandelier + Jemez Springs

 Trip #135 (66): Our Own Jemez Mountains + Bandelier + Jemez Springs

April 14 - 19 2024  before new car arrival

 Left Sunday Apr 14, beautiful day, first 2 nights at Bandelier, site #9 on first come, first served. Mostly small spots so we lucked out finding one that we could fit into. Arrived before noon so did the 1.5 miles on waterfall hike, very nice. 3 miles RT. Low 70s today. BTW the park is very busy with tourists from all over the US.

 

Monday, Tax day Apr 15 - Cooler today, 58. On the Frey Trail at 11 am, hiking past Alcove House and kept going about 2 excellent miles. 6 miles total RT. Great hike along canyon and Frijoles creek. Getting windier and cloudier as the day goes, and now overcast at 4:30. and then the wind really kicked in, continuing well past 1 am. Can hear things banging! Couldn't get to sleep, was really cold for some reason. Because NO ELECTRICITY!

  

Tuesday & Wed - arrived about noon after about an hour + drive from Bandelier. Cooler but way sunny, about 58 for the high. Arrived to Fenton Lake State Park -- it is HUGE! Only the 5 electric sites are open and ours shares a site with someone already here. Talk about tight. No water here, not on yet. Took a walk to the end of the camping and into the Santa Fe Forest until the whining started so we headed back. Maybe went 3 miles. Probably more than a mile just to get out of the camping area. Went for a 10 mile drive to town (more like a corner) of Cueva for the little store. Said he needed mayo, but beer and BBQ chips are what we came home with. On the way back, headed south toward Jemez Springs, didn't go all the way but stopped at Battleship Rock along the river while looking for other springs. Quite the area, such wilderness, gorgeous, but some stupid assholes had to spray paint their tags on the signs. Takes away from my wilderness experience. Turned around at the Hummingbird Music Camp. Summer camp for kids. Had a winner winner chicken dinner, using up the vegs, real food for once.

  

Wed - didn't get moving until about 11 am and headed back down the same trail but went further, doing about 5 miles this time. Wide open nothingness. Later walked over to the lake and walked over the dam - I found 2 quarters! Woo Hoo, treasure. Another beautiful day, warmer than yesterday, about 65 today. Almost 3 o'clock, what will we do next...

  

Thurs. Out of water. Find water or go home. We only started with 75% (i should have checked as he filled) and used every last drop. Drove thru Jemez Springs Highway 4, got water at Jemez visitor center gas station, then back to vista linda cg, securing THE last spot. Back south again to drive the Gilman Tunnels, 2 rugged cut out tunnels along a steep roaring river, then to the visitor center, a thrift shop, the Jemez Mission ruins monument and finally to Los Ojos saloon for dinner. Then a short drive on the walkway. Hahahaaaaa had to be there. Back by 5pm, slightly overcast now, but was sunny and 81 earlier.

RIP: Dickie Betts (Allman Bros)

Still Waiting... for new VW arrival. Told us the 18th. Would end up being the 25th.