Thirteen members with nine rigs headed into the Jemez Mountains on a beautiful day to find some Christmas trees and snow. Snow ranging in depth from 3 to 6 inches had fallen earlier in the week. Temperatures were seasonal and luckily stayed on the cold side so there was not too much mud.
Our route followed NM 126 to FR 376. From FR 376 we turned onto FR 604. Once getting to the top of the mesa on FR 604 we may our first stop for Christmas trees. Burce Allen scored a nice tree. From there we continued along FR 604 until turning onto FR 606. It wasn't long before we stopped in the canyon so that Jennifer and Myron Myers could cut their perfect tree. Continuing along FR 606 Ed Hernandez and Jacky Perez found a tree to their liking. Jacky and Ed's little daughters and Jennifer and Myron's grandkids had fun playing in the snow.
Farther along FR 606 we can to a large sunny meadow. This was a perfect lunch spot. Ed with help from his daughters built a fine snowman. After lunch, we continued along FR 606 climbing out of the canyon. Soon we turned on to FR 611 which was a little rocky and had some large frozen mud holes. Shortly after turning on FR 604 for our return to the air down/up spot, a family flagged us down. While cutting their Christmas tree, their young daughter accidently cut her finger on the handsaw her dad was using and needed first aid. Bruce Allen grabbed his well stocked first aid kit and expertly bandaged her injured finger. Another club member gave the little girl a lollipop and all was good in her world. The family quickly packed up and headed for the nearest urgent care center to have the girl's cut finger further evaluated.
We reached the air-up spot around 2:00 PM. The forest roads were much busier than earlier in the day with lots of folks out cutting Christmas trees. It was a great day to be in the mountains!
