Concept: Screw August Hang, CO/NM

**oldgringo** · 05-19-2011, 11:08

By the time August rolls around, I'm going to be sick to death of the heat...gonna head west, and UP. Tentatively looking at going out I40 to I25, or so, and looking for something suitable, ~7000'msl+.

So, two questions: Any suggestions for an LZ for the gringovan? I prefer primitive camp sights.

And, anybody else down for this? Dates are open at this point.

**KerMegan** · 05-19-2011, 11:37

Bandelier canyon is amply supplied with trees (or it was the last time I was there...several some moons ago) in fact that was the first place in NM that proved there were any decent trees in the entire state.
KM(who also got a look at snow in May (!?!) while passing thru Santa Fe National Forest)
hope that helps a bit!
ps sorry, wrong name.. http://www.npca.org/parks/bandelier-...-monument.html

**Cannibal** · 05-19-2011, 11:43

I down with it. I'll see if I can find some southern hikers around here to give me some info on good areas.

**Law Dawg (ret)** · 05-19-2011, 11:48

If you get lost and end up WAAAAY West...I'll take you to Horse Meadows by Salmon Creek. We left Bakingfields one hot August day, with the temp at 114 degrees, to camp there. That night it hit 29 degrees...ahhhh sweet mountain bliss!

**millarky** · 05-19-2011, 11:51

San Juan National Forest http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fs...Forest-%20Home

**wolf track** · 05-19-2011, 11:52

How long are you thinking of being away for? I have a few vacation days and some paid time off that has to be used by the end of august.

**oldgringo** · 05-19-2011, 15:39

Originally Posted by wolf track

How long are you thinking of being away for? I have a few vacation days and some paid time off that has to be used by the end of august.

If I'm gonna drive that far, I'll stay 7-10 days.

**BillyBob58** · 05-19-2011, 17:06

Originally Posted by Law Dawg (ret)

If you get lost and end up WAAAAY West...I'll take you to Horse Meadows by Salmon Creek. We left Bakingfields one hot August day, with the temp at 114 degrees, to camp there. That night it hit 29 degrees...ahhhh sweet mountain bliss!

WHOAH! Law dawg, that 2nd picture is wild! The very 1st thing I saw when viewing it was a human face. Two perfectly space eyes and a tiny nose and bridge of nose, a wide open mouth and a big ol Jay Leno chin! Anyone else see that?

Ditto KerMegan on the SantaFe/Sangre De Christo/Taos/Mt.Baldy area if you are wanting to be ~ in the vicinity of the 25/40. Can't speak to specific camp grounds though, though I'm sure the backpacking would be great.

Though if you were willing to go just north of the CO border on 25 to Trinidad and just west, there is this:
http://www.sangres.com/mountains/spanpks/
The "dikes" that radiate out from these dramatic peaks are fascinating.

Last time I camped here, I realized when the rain started that I had left a new GTX jacket in a Mexican restaurant in Silverton, CO.

**Mustardman** · 05-19-2011, 17:42

I've been thinking of doing something similar but further north in the Rockies - maybe the Never Summer wilderness or somewhere around there. But I'd definitely be down, depending on the dates and locations.

**txdiamond17** · 05-19-2011, 19:54

A buddy and I are doing the same thing in southern co in august. But, it's a bi purpose trip. Gonna scout the elk grounds for s couple of days. I'd love to meet up with some of y'all in the mountains. It's already been so hot, I'm ready for the mountains.