Clock is running on a trip report

**rionapo** · 11-25-2015, 03:18 PM

Back to the slopes tomorrow, so can't delay a trip report any longer. Just have to make a single one and be quick. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

With snow coming this weekend and a T-Day opening with 90% open already, it's worth a May flashback to the Zuni Mtns south of Gallup, NM. All started well with spring in full flower

Roads get pretty slick thereabouts so we broke camp early when we awoke to this view and a forecast of more to come

and headed to Red Rocks Park in Gallup to pack better and load up on water and enjoy the sunset

Then on to Flagstaff for a ride with JoeH

and Expo. While it's weather has been discussed before, here's a refresher

.

In search of dirt over mud, we swung by Superior, AZ to visit the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, a favorite all-time place

and camp at nearby Oak Flats, soon to be a copper mine I fear

Was getting hot down low and we needed to head home so we visited Los Burros Campground on the Mogollon Rim

A month at home fighting a pack rat infestation ended with an aborted trip to the high country in Colorado's South San Juans. Raining there non-stop, we chose to stay low on the road to Cat Creek Park. Good biking hereabouts.

Next, Penitente Canyon north of the Cat Creek site

home to a local tribute to Guadalupe

the remains of La Garita Caldera, the largest explosion in Earth's history

a moonlit sky

big views

and more biking

The rain finally stopped, so back to the South San Juans at Prospect Creek

and a sneak attack from one more deluge

Camp 2 was near Elwood Pass

Can you find the modest cabin at 12,000 feet here?

Other pics may come if there's time but here's our last camp of 2016, back in a drier time in the Zunis

(You may notice the tent change. We started with a Nemo base camp tent that wasn't up to the task, returned it and went for a Big Agnes. I'll post info in the tent thread someday.)

Don

86Scotty · 11-25-2015, 05:07 PM

Thanks for sharing Don! Your pics never disappoint. Looks like the dogs enjoyed it too.

Happy Thanksgiving

larrie · 11-25-2015, 10:26 PM

Looks like you had some great times. Thanks for sharing.

JoeH · 11-25-2015, 10:58 PM

Nice recap Don! I think we have a ski race in Taos in Feb so we'll be in your neck of the woods. Hope El Nino brings the goods to Santa Fe!

**daveb** · 11-25-2015, 11:05 PM

Yep that is super cool. Nice place I'd like to venture into. I did enjoy the snow we've had over the last few weeks here in CA, mind ya...hunting season is closed and the areas are for the taking with nobody around...gotta love it when you get private spots.