US 380 thru New Mexico.

[Roy_Lynne]

Could someone tell me winter driving conditions on US 380 between I25 and Roswell? Also are there any boondocking sites along that section?
Thanks in advance.

[frizzen]

VLA is about 50 miles west of Socorro on US 60. Be sure to stop for pie in Pietown.

[Dave5143]

Roy&Lynne wrote:

ndrorder wrote:
Since you asked about the Gila in another thread, I'll just toss out the Gran Quivera (sic) ruins in the area (walker accessible). For boondocking, there is forest service land north of carrizozo near the ghost town of white oaks and the community of ancho. They are a little lower in elevation than capitan or lincoln.

Will check it out. I also heard the VsomethingA is in the area also

The Very Large Array radio telescope is near Socorro. Featured in the movie "Contact".

[Roy_Lynne]

This board is so awesome and you guys are so helpful. This will probably be our last trip as we are getting up there in age so we want to see it all. We have all the time in the world, so all your suggestions are going on the bucket list.

[Roy_Lynne]

ndrorder wrote:
Since you asked about the Gila in another thread, I'll just toss out the Gran Quivera (sic) ruins in the area (walker accessible). For boondocking, there is forest service land north of carrizozo near the ghost town of white oaks and the community of ancho. They are a little lower in elevation than capitan or lincoln.

Will check it out. I also heard the VsomethingA is in the area also

[fanrgs]

Not right on US 380, but south of Carrizozo on US 54 is the BLM Three Rivers Petroglyph Site. It has a half dozen campsites, including 2 with electric and water hookups. Since you are traveling in the fall, I assume you are retired and have a Federal Senior Pass, so the nightly rate with hookups would be $9/night.

The trail through the fantastic array of petroglyphs is not accessible for a person with a walker, but the nearby Mogollon pueblo ruins are. This is the same ancestral Pueblo culture that built the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

And I agree that all three of the pueblo ruins in the Salinas Missions National Monument are easily accessible. However, those are considerably younger (only 1500-1600s!), than the Mogollon sites at Gila Cliff Dwellings and Three Rivers.

If you happen to travel near Santa Fe, you can also visit the accessible ruins at the Pecos National Monument in Glorietta Pass. This is located just off I-25 a few miles east of Santa Fe.

[ndrorder]

Since you asked about the Gila in another thread, I'll just toss out the Gran Quivera (sic) ruins in the area (walker accessible). For boondocking, there is forest service land north of carrizozo near the ghost town of white oaks and the community of ancho. They are a little lower in elevation than capitan or lincoln.

[Roy_Lynne]

Perfect NMDriver2. Thanks so much.

[NMDriver2]

Most of the time the road will be clear and dry. Watch for any winter storm passing through. There are a few twists and turns on both sides of Carrizozo but nothing significant. The road has some narrow shoulder older sections but is mostly a good, easy, well paved, road. Valley of Fires state park has camping. The road between San Antonio and Carrizozo goes through White Sands Missle Range and so although it seems like good boonedocking land is not. There are forest service parks around Capitan and Lincoln. Smoky the Bear came from Capitan. Fort Stanton has BLM camping and is a good stop about half way between 1-25 and Roswell.Fort Stanton link