2 weeks on the NMBDR, ERT, and some wandering.

[Offroadnutz]

I was having difficulty deciding which of the 2 to do, the New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Route, Enchanted Rockies trail, or the Shadow of the Rockies trail. I decided I certainly wanted to do the NMBDR heading north (after the urging of @Downs ) and I would decide the way south sometime during the journey. I allotted 3 weeks for the journey and ended up taking only 2.
I left DFW and headed west. I started the adventure out at Carlsbad instead of Dell city. I crossed a bunch of BLM land along Dark Canyon road and set up camp at the end of some forest service road on a peak.
Views of my first nights camp.

Not sure what this used to be but it was on the FS road I camped on.

My trusty copilot for the adventure.

more to come....

 

[Offroadnutz]

After the first night I headed through Queen, which was locked down tight, and met up with the NMBDR and headed north along the Guadalupe rim.

From here I headed toward Weed. As an FYI, there is now gas available in Pinon. There is a quaint little general store with one pump. People were very nice here too.
Once back on the NMBDR I came across this. Since I’m in the “skoolie” world I could appreciate it.

stopping for a fill up on some blm land. I carried 2 Jerry cans not knowing the fuel situation with the covid nonsense going around and reports of Weed not having gas. They do now. Still had to use one can 3 times to make it.

A few pics of the drive through Lincoln national forest.

more to come...

 

[Offroadnutz]

On my 3rd day I knew storms and cold weather were blowing in. I setup camp early because the storms were supposed to roll in early afternoon.
The storms blew in around 2 and didn’t stop till around 10 the next morning.

During this time it hailed on me 4 times.

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[Offroadnutz]

A few pics of the storms still hanging around the next morning.

Needless to say it was a muddy sloppy mess on the trails. I encountered many fallen trees across the trail that I had to winch out of the way. As well as winching myself out. Lol


Finally made it out of the muck. Most of the NMBDR can be done in a 2wd high clearance vehicle. But forget it if it’s wet or been raining.

more to come...

 

[Offroadnutz]

There is a lot of forest in New Mexico that has been damage by fire so with all the visual evidence around it was distressing to see this after the camper left. Come on, how hard is it to put out?

Not hard to tell my chips were bagged at a lower elevation.

This is Bonita lake. Normally a beautiful alpine lake. It is currently being dredged and being made larger.



more to come....

 

[ryanorr280]

Looks like an amazing trip!

 

[Offroadnutz]

Looks like an amazing trip!

It was! I loved it and needed it...

 

[Offroadnutz]

Few pics north of Ruidoso.




Found this at a gas station in Carrizozo! Felt like I struck gold!

more to come....

 

[Offroadnutz]

Found a cool place to camp on some blm land on the northeast corner of White Sands Missile range. Pretty cool area with rolling hills.

Found this while hiking nearby with my dog. Not sure what it originally was but there is evidence of a long ago homestead on site. Anyone have any idea?






More to come...

 

[Offroadnutz]

The area around White Sands was my favorite as far as driving is concerned. Wide open, flat, and seems to go on forever. Was able to make some good speed here and even jumped my truck twice. I didn’t however do it on the ranch land and respected the property owners.


Saw these on the northwest corner of White Sands. Anyone know what they are?

Also, as has been mentioned before, your gps will go hooey in this area so be prepared. I had to backtrack and get back on course.
More pickS from area.

 

[Offroadnutz]

Love how the low clouds make the mountain look like a UFO

more to come...

 

[Offroadnutz]

The section between Winston and Reserve was my hand down favorite section. I expected a lot and it delivered.
On a side note, there is a sporting gear store/gas station in Winston that is super cool. What they have surprised me and the people were super cool and nice. I would recommend supporting their business if your ever in the area.

These picks are of the “goats town” Chloride.


entrance to the canyon

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[Offroadnutz]

Petroglyphs, pictographs, and dwellings I saw in Chloride canyon.






more to come...

 

[Offroadnutz]

My Gaia started acting up as soon as I entered Chloride canyon. The background got blurry and didn’t correct itself till I left. Anyone experience this before?

 

[Offroadnutz]

Couple more alpine lakes I saw. Beautiful...


More to come...

 

[Offroadnutz]

Where the NMBDR gets its closest to Arizona, I detoured on another forest service road and went there to do some exploring along the Blue River. I followed that north to Alpine and then cut back east to rejoin the NMBDR.




This is lake Luna just outside Alpine Az

more to come...

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

The area around White Sands was my favorite as far as driving is concerned. Wide open, flat, and seems to go on forever. Was able to make some good speed here and even jumped my truck twice. I didn’t however do it on the ranch land and respected the property owners.
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View attachment 170600
Saw these on the northwest corner of White Sands. Anyone know what they are?
View attachment 170601
Also, as has been mentioned before, your gps will go hooey in this area so be prepared. I had to backtrack and get back on course.
More pickS from area.
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View attachment 170603

I believe they or Oryx from Africa. I may have spelled the name wrong. Imported about 30 + years ago and placed on White sands missile range property.

 

[Sparksalot]

Super cool! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Offroadnutz]

I eventually made it to Zuni salt lake where I met up with a group of adv riders heading the NMBDR south. We enjoyed the view together and went our separate ways.


more to come...

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Where the NMBDR gets its closest to Arizona, I detoured on another forest service road and went there to do some exploring along the Blue River. I followed that north to Alpine and then cut back east to rejoin the NMBDR.
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This is lake Luna just outside Alpine Az
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more to come...

Good trout fishing there, no motorized boats allowed on any of the lakes in NM in that region.