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Riley Ghost Town and Area Run

Sun May 7, 2017 8:30AM     RIDE COMPLETED

[Updated Thur May 4th to better state location of nearest fuel stop.  I'm sort of paranoid about enough fuel, since I actually ran out of gas once while leading a ride!  Not this time.]

This is a long drive.  The last gas stop is 45 miles from the trailhead (I-25 Exit 190, go 1/2 mi north on 318 to Philips 66 on right), so figure out and back to gas at Exit 190 is about 110 miles.  Plan your gas accordingly.  This is an all day ride!  Bring food and drinks.

Parking... We will meet at 8:30AM  right at I-25 exit 175 and be pulling out soon after. Trailered 4x4's can leave their tow rigs at the Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel 100 yards past the meet point. The RV Park charges $10 for the day, but it is well monitored and safe. Just south of the RV park is a dirt road where tow rigs can be left for free at your own risk. Be un-trailered by 8:30AM to meet with the others.

Getting to the fun... From the meet point,  we start the day with a 30 mile drive on an easy high speed dirt road (35-40 mph) around the north and west sides of Ladron Peak to the Riley area.  After the 4x4 ride described below is complete, we will return on this same road back to I-25 Exit 175 at Bernardo. 

The 4x4 part.. We will do the basic Dos Arroyos loop, Arroyo #1 and Arroyo #2 on the Trails map (visible only to NM4W members).  This ride is marked Easy/Moderate because there may be some unavoidable Moderate terrain, don't know for sure.  Arroyos change with each rain and this is the first time we're heading here since last Fall. After the off-road part, we will stop to see the ruins at the official Riley Ghost Town on the way out. Google: "Riley, NM Ghost Town" for history.