Pecos Wilderness Rendevous

“I've never been too cold in the Rockies in my 20 degree bag, but I have slept in 2 pairs of socks. A balaclava is nice in the bag on a cold night. I'm taking a fleece bag liner this time. I'll be dirtbaggin' a bunch of old gear due to recent financial difficulty. But it's tried & true and I'll bring plenty of duct tape.

My drive from Ft. Worth is 12 hours so I should show up at Panchuela before dark on Saturday. This is gonna rock!”

“Wow! Those pictures are making me even more anxious!
Lazy question, I guess, but does anyone have driving directions to the campground? I hate to look things up when I can just ask the easy way :)”

“Mapquest to Cowles

Panchuela Campground/Trailhead”

“for indulging my laziness...
:)”

“ugh. three hellacious on service days with student labs thrown in, 5 busy but fun and manageable off service days, and the great escape begins.

It's been warm, but never fear. Mornings in ABQ are usually chilly by Balloon Fiesta time, just after our trip. Add a couple hundred miles north, three thousand feet and it'll be deliciously cool. I'm sick of summer!!!”

“Are we sure the Panchuela Campground will be open for our trip. I've been up there twice when that campground was closed.

Just a little bit of paranoia I thought up the other night.”

“FOR WHAT???”

“Off-season. I was there in May once and it was closed - lots of forest service campgrounds close for the winter. Once I was there in the middle of summer and it was closed. Don't know why.”

“I have never stayed ther but been through it!!!”

“We need to take a roll call for this trip.

bl, you should at least come say hi to everybody on Saturday night if you can't do the trip.”

“Well this is the only problem i get off of work at 930 on saturdays!!

Plus the Gas i cant afford are u guys leaving sunday mornign or what?

Cuase there is no way my boss will let me have saturday night off we get to busy!!”

“I understand. I've had to keep my job 18 years to get the time off I get. And I really can't afford the gas either but some things just have to be done. Catch ya some other time.”

“But in the summer not during school and stuff!!!”

“summer? the place is mobbed in the summer!”

“Oh, I am sure he means a summer trip somewhere really nice like Death Valley... :)”

“Cause i would love to0 do a trip but i cant do it in september cause i gots school!!!”

“I live for trips in the fall after all the tourons have gone away. I do most of my trips during the "off" season.”

“Vann,

Is the TH accessible by car? I am checking SW and find I could fly and rent a car as cheap as driving. Would get to the airport Saturday AM and drive up to the TH. Would be heading home Friday 10-1 PM.

Thanks”

“Shawn, the TH is accessible by car, good distance gravel though. I think the pavement ends just before Terrero.”

“Good time for the Gila is spring break.

the pecos isn't really that bad during the peak season. The Truchas area via the village of Truchas is not as heavily used.”

“I recommend Gila in May after college has let out and before High School lets out. Pecos is big enough to absorb a crowd if you avoid weekends and over-used spots.

The paved road past Pecos, NM extends all the way to Pancheula and Jacks Creek campgrounds. The road to Iron Gate is gravel.”

“RE: Panchuela.

Many are closed during the winter, hopefully they consider this to be fall!

I'll try and find out this weekend. I'm working 14 and biking 1-3 hrs 6 days a week, haven't had time to call.

Not a bad idea anyway to make a contingency plan.

If Panchuela closed, go to Jacks Creek Campground to camp, last choice Iron Gate Campground. The trailhead parking will be open until snow closes the road, so Panchuela is still the best trailhead I believe, only a short distance from the backup spots.”

“Now we are talking. One week from now Sticks and I will be waking up after camping at the trailhead, looking forward for the rest of the gang.


The "maybes":
It sounds like getagrip is coming.
Buy what about y2, wingding and big kingtut?”

“Tomorrow I am going to get my vittels for the trip. Today I started the stack in the living room...though most of it has been there all week.

Getagrip, do you still need that bag or you going to rent one? It is going to be tight even using a compression sack so let me know.

Gettin' seriously pumped!”

“I'm going to be in town when you guys are doing this, so we'll have to arrange a meetin' after the hikin's done.”

“Hello folks, I've been reading your postings and It sounds like you guys will have a great trip. I sure wish I could go as well. A year ago next week I spent a week with some frinds from here in Lousiana on a simular trip. We hiked the in the Wemenuche Wilderness. It is in the San Juans in southern Colorado near Pagosa Springs. We had a great time. We hiked from 8,000 on up to near 13,000 feet to the Contiental Divide trail. Awsome views! Peaks as far as the eye could see. Elk, mule deer, lots of other wildlife. We also had snow caps peaks due to an early snowfall. If you have an opening and are open to late joiners I may be able to join you. I have all the needed gear. I can be off work from Friday morning September 24 to Monday afternoon October 4. Would take some backscratching but could be done. You can check out my pics from last years trip on my homepage.
Have fun guys.”

“One thing about a Rendevous, you can't control who shows up. ;-)

We've got three for sure, one who talks like a go but still listed as a maybe. I think there will be plenty of room in the Pecos!

More aspens on the Sandias, now. Cool rainy day in NM, tropical moisture from Javier. 39F and heavy snow in Wolf Creek Pass.



Just checked the moon phase. Full on 9/28.”

“Just got back from getting supplies for meals...getting antsy. Going to double check the list tonight, in fact I writing notes as I type.

Vann what is the plan for meals Saturday? I am assuming we will just stop to eat on the way up on Friday. I am thinking we might dayhike Saturday, yes? Just trying to make sure I leave no loose ends.”

“i hope this hurricane doesnt f_ck u up to much

ABQ is gettin super rained on It is raining right now!!!!!”

“I ain't a-scared of no freakin' rain...ain't that right Pathie?

Bring it on...rain, hail, snow, and howling winds...doesn't mean I won't be cussin' like a sailor though.>:D
Remember that nature is a woman and there is no wraith as that from a woman scorned.”

“It's going to be clear and cool all week long. Let's get some positive vibes working here!”

“Sticks, my plan for Sat is ? Camp breakfast, camp dinner, lunch? I am counting it as a day of trail food for me. You won't be able to buy dinner and a beer at this trailhead.”

“I'm at the "gear-all-over-the-floor" stage of this trip. Trying not to forget anything.”

“I just called the forest service to ensure the campgrounds are all open, and they are. They said they plan to turn the water off after it starts freezing hard and leave the campgrounds open. I think Panchuela has only an old-fashion hand pump for water.

So Bateauxdriver, can you make it? It will be better than weathering a hurricane!”

“Hey Toejam and others. Ivan ripped up our neighbors to the east but Louisiana only had minor damage.
I'm trying to make it last minute Toejam. Wife, kids and work coordinating. It would take some doing but, I should know by tommrow night.
If I can would you like to carpool, I live southeast of Baton Rouge and would pass through DFW anyway. I get off work 6 AM Friday. I should be able to sleep 4 hours and leave by 11 Am. What time would I have to be in DFW for a link-up? I could be there by 8 Pm Friday night.
If possible drop me a message here or at Bateauxdriver@yahoo.com or Bateauxdriver@AOL.com

Thanks,

Mark”

“Yesterday, I gave my self 25%. This morning 50%. Now after talking with folks at work and the wife chances are up to 75%. Only day left to cover is October 1. I need to be back home by 4 Pm October 4. Going buy food today! Can always use it in hurricanes anyway ;-)”

“At this time I am a go! Toejam, I really need to carpool if possible. I can meet you Friday night by 8 PM. I have a good vehicle but will need help driving. This is a very busy week. I'll be back to check messages noon tommrow.

Thanks,

Mark”

“Thanks for the bag offer. I have decided to rent a bag. That should help with your space issues.
So, our REI had its garage sale this past Saturday, and I got an awesome new backpack. Of course, it had a slight defect, but the fix was so easy I did it that afternoon. I can hardly wait to get out with it. This trip is gonna be WONDERFUL!!!”

“That's okay with me for Saturday. I was just making sure that I needed to pack an extra day of food...didn't know if you had a cooler in mind for one last real meal or not.

Heehaw sounds like a real great time coming up...let the good times roll!”

“I e-mailed you at the yahoo address.”

“check your email!

Get groceries/supplies in Santa Fe or ABQ. Las Vegas and Pecos will have less selection and higher prices, but good for the stuff you remember that you forgot. There is a small store/post office in Tererro.”

“toejam, thanks for making the call about the campground.”

“What is the water situation? Water along the way at least daily?”

“much running water to filter or treat.”

“cave creek is running great dry in a few spots but looks pretty good!!

Aspens on the sandias look awesome did a 16 mile hike to the southcrest to see them!”

“thanks lizard!”

“yo path what trails are u gonna be on

u are going to pecos baldy right?”

“Here is the five day forecast, exactly the kind of weather we could see. Our temps will be at the low end of the range.

Sangre de Christo Mountains”

“Sounds perfect!”