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Desert_Captain's avatar
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2023

Return to AngelFireNM...

Every year we visit our friends in Angel Fire New Mexico in late September/early October view the Aspen trees turning gold. The timing varies every year but this year we hit it perfect. This shot was taken from our lunch break spot while on a 3 hour 50+ mile Rzr ride. That ridge is just over 11,000' and most of our ride was at 10,000'+. The entire area is accessible via the endless maze of oldForrest Service roads and trails.



We went so flar west out of Angel Fire that we when we reached our turn around point we could see all the way to the Rio Grande Gorge from our perch at 10,675'. look closely at this pic:



Angel Fire is amazing just about anytime year though the weather can be severe. Winter will be bearing down shortly and the widening of Highway 64 from Taos over the 9,000' pass and down into Angel Fire continues. The last few miles from the top of the pass down to the valley is and will continue to be one lane. Access is controlled and a pilot truck will escort you up or down. You will likely have to wait from 5 to 45 minutes depending the current construction
schedule.

When completed access to the vally will be greatly improved making for far safer travel especially for larger RV's.

:B
Seeking Advice
  • dedmiston's avatar
    dedmiston
    Moderator
    Oct 07, 2023
    Our son in-law’s family has a huge camp there on land that their family received from a Spanish land grant. It’s an amazing place to camp.
  • dblr's avatar
    dblr
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2023
    We love the whole area and are happy to hear about the upgrade on that pass, first time we took the rv west we went from Angle Fire to Taos but when I reached the top I pulled over to let the traffic behind by as to not hold them up anymore and you know what......almost everyone that passed us beeped and waved thank-you.
  • NMDriver2's avatar
    NMDriver2
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2023
    Some things you tell people about and some things you don't. Best fishing spots, quiet bars, and northern NM.
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Oct 07, 2023
    Point taken... but there is so much of northern NM and so few folks I doubt that my posts will ruin it anytime soon. :B I think the Angel Fire population this time of year is about 600 as they begin to transition to the winter activities.

    The locals have the most beautiful private shooting range {yep, members and guests only} tucked up on the east side of the valley about half a mile up a winding two track. My friend is a member and we enjoyed having it all to ourselves:





    We have been visiting our friends for 7+ years and 24 trips and at 480 miles from our house it is a serious ride. Before we moved up to Payson 3 years ago it was 700+ miles from our place in Tucson.

    :C
  • dcmac214's avatar
    dcmac214
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2023
    What are the trails like in that area? We're scenery-admiring, pokey riders who are looking for new area(s) to ride with trails/roads in decent condition.
    Is there enough mileage in different directions to have a base camp for a week?

    Last month spent a week in Richfield Utah, greatly disappointed in the trail system: 1/3 sort-of-okay, 1/3 bad, 1/3 honest-to-God horribly terrible. I figure 90% due to riders doing their best to tear up the trails (and doing it), topped off with 10% weather. We won't ever return.
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Oct 13, 2023
    dcmac214 wrote:
    What are the trails like in that area? We're scenery-admiring, pokey riders who are looking for new area(s) to ride with trails/roads in decent condition.
    Is there enough mileage in different directions to have a base camp for a week?

    Last month spent a week in Richfield Utah, greatly disappointed in the trail system: 1/3 sort-of-okay, 1/3 bad, 1/3 honest-to-God horribly terrible. I figure 90% due to riders doing their best to tear up the trails (and doing it), topped off with 10% weather. We won't ever return.




    The entire AngelFire/Red River area is one of the best riding venues in the country. After the huge fire last year the Forrest Service out of necessity dramatically improved their access roads and there are hundreds of miles of amazing trails. roads and or two tracks. Here are a couple of pics from the Angel Fire ride:





    You could easily do week in the area and never come close to seeing them all. Haul your buggy up to Red River more of the same. We rode to the top of Greenie Peak at 11,000'+ and looked down on the top of the ski runs. A ride up to Goose Lake is mind numbingly gorgeous especially now with the Aspens turning. For this year though your window is closing quickly as winter will not be far-off. You will often ride for hours and encounter few if any others... so come prepared.

    :C
  • dedmiston's avatar
    dedmiston
    Moderator
    Oct 13, 2023
    We had a doozie of a ride up there about four years ago. We were at the top of a trail and a storm blew in. We couldn't get down fast enough before the lightning got closer. It's the only time I've ever had the strikes so close that the thunder and the lightning happened at the same time. Our group was a mess too, with mountain bikes, quads, and a side by side. We sure were glad to get back to camp.

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