Trip #136 (67): Return to Jemez Mountains

 Trip #136 (67): Return to Jemez Mountains

July 7 - 11 , 2024

Sunday, July 7 - Left about 10:30, beautiful day in Santa Fe, stopping for groceries at the gorgeous Smiths of Los Alamos. Then a stop for bagels from Ruby K's, cuz Santa Fe Foodies people swear by them (good but salty). Arrived at San Antonio CG #5 about 2pm, and it was quite warm, maybe 87 or so. But we have electric so ran the air after set up. Hung around then went on recon drive up the road for Hot Springs ride tomorrow; after trying about a mile of the road, we found  it is easily doable for bikes -- good, plan for tomorrow. Cooled off nicely at night, prob low 50s. Tho surrounded by big beautiful pines we can get a Dish signal, but not phones. Read some Appetite for America then hit the hay early. Hurricane Beryl should be slamming Texas coast when we awake.

Monday, July 8. Yes she did, but as a Cat 1, I think. Can't follow storm chasers without a signal 😡. Cool morning (awake @ 6:30) but threatening skies so spent am going over maps for proposed Nov trip to Fla. Time for bike ride to the san antonio hot springs, it was great. 5 miles up the mountain on a nicer road than expected (and i got a 2 bar signal at the view of LaCueva), then a half mile hike straight up. Nice springs, no nudes thankfully, just a few peeps and the nicest doggy named Ranger. Woulda stolen him if he had followed us down, like he did the other guy... Also rode some of the dispersed camping road across the street, where there was also a signal up one road. Back to camp about 2:30 as the skies were rumbling and darkening, then came the storm and rain, for over an hour. For the first time ever, Bill won Kibbie for 4 games in a row. What??? No grilling tonight. In fact, no dinner tonight, late lunch kilt it. Stopped raining about 5:30, took CG stroll then later drove 3 mikes to big overlook for 3 BAR SIGNAL! Missed nothing but good to check. Btw, the BEST smelling pines i EVER smelled were along this route. I smelled some earlier, but after the rain i couldn't believe how good & strong the air smelled of pine.

Tuesday, 9th - Nice morning, cool, headed to Redondo Meadow staging area on edge of caldera NP for bike ride, having no idea where we are going. Turned out real nice, we went thru the fence to enter the Preserve, road was good, when once we got close to the meadow the deer flies came out in force. Mostly they went for Bill, who knew, maybe his dark shirt, guess they didnt like my white shirt. Anyway, gave that up after a while as they were hitching rides. Next we tried another trail to ride 4B with dispersed camping and nice but rough road, turned around after a few miles, but did get a 2 bar signal at a high point. Finally we went to the Valles Caldera. What a beautiful place, had no idea since was our first drive in, previously we only drove past, usually snow on the ground (not to mention 3 bar parking lot signal). After learning all about the series of volcanoes that 1.25 million years ago that made the huge caldera (and was 300 times bigger than the Mt St. Helens blast), the ranger offered us a pass to make the drive around and see the Longmire cabin and more. Beautiful green place. Didnt do the whole preserve, but will be back with bikes. Ebikes are allowed on many roads, but not all. Came back and did a chicken dutch oven dinner, not bad, from the scout cookbook.

Wednesday, 10th. After watching the Baldwin trial opening statements, we headed out for a hike to McCauley Springs, having only a vague idea where they are, off the East Fork Trail which we picked up off Hwy 4 at battleship rock. Long, hot, often uphill hike while the thunderheads built, we nearly gave up but pushed on, and good thing, as they weren't far off. Nice 3 ponds, the first kinda algae filled, but number 2 was clean. Even with little fish eating dead skin cells 🤮. When leaving, a certain spot caught my eye and seemed to be a pueblo ruin. That's my story and i'm sticking to it. Need to go back and examine closer, but not in July! Maybe so, maybe not, but sure had telltale signs. Anyway, couldn't get down fast enough, 🥵 SO HOT. Car said 84, but i say hotter. Entway, glad to be done, but now i gotta go back dammit. Came back, recovered, then went for a ride to check out potential boondocking spots down the road. I think i prefer a developed cg. The skies are rumbling after a slight rain as i type, wonder if we are in for more. No dang signal to check radar. 

Thursday, July 11. Up super early (5:30!), hit the road at 9:10.

Left plenty undone to come back and do more, always a good thing. Should be getting home to a fixed mitsubishi a/c system, sure hoping!

RIP: Shelley Duval, Joe Biden's 2024 political aspirations

 

Next time: Reserve #6, not next to outhouse. Back to Sheila Pueblo Ruins, bike to Cuba, hike past san antonio hot springs, hike valley near valles, bike valles, redo history grove at valles