Having our annual camp out later in the summer was a nice change. During the long weekend, we traveled multiple roads on the SFNF MVUM: some previously traversed and some newly explored. An active monsoon in the mountains quenched most of the dust, in exchange for occasionally muddy roads and large mud holes. Temperatures during the day were low 80s and nighttime temperatures were in the 50s. Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons we were bestowed with rains that got heavy at times.
Jack, Cathy, Matt, and Willie headed to the San Pedro Mountains northeast of Cuba on Thursday 8/20 ahead of the main group in hopes of securing our first choice for a campsite. While traveling FR 103 we saw only a few folks in campsites along the way. The farther we traveled from State Road 126 fewer folks were encountered. Luckily, our favorite campsite was unoccupied and in good condition. We spent the afternoon setting up each of our camp areas, gathering firewood, and enjoying a beautiful, quiet afternoon in the mountains.
Friday morning, while Matt and Willie lounged in their tents, Cathy and Jack traveled the 26 miles back to Cuba to greet the rest of the group. Folks arrived at the Allsup's Travel Center, topped off gas tanks, and got last minute supplies. After a short driver's meeting Frank, Amy, Snow, John, and Josh followed Jack and Cathy back to the campsite. Folks set up their camp areas and had lunch before heading out for an afternoon driving fun, sometimes lightly used and rewarding forest roads northwest of camp. Along the way, Frank hailed over the radio that his truck had overheated. Raising the hood, it was found that a plastic clamp fitting for a heater core hose had met its demise and the loose hose had expelled all of the coolant. After extracting the broken pieces and scrounging a hose clamp, Frank was able to reconnect the hose to the heater core. He refilled the radiator and reservoir with water from his 5-gallon camping jug. After circulating air out of the cooling system, his truck was able to continue the ride. We traveled FR 318H, which was new to most of the group, and after a few turns arrived at a gravel pit where numbers fossils, over 300 million years old are exposed in the Madera Limestone. We arrived back at camp just as the storm clouds were building with distant thunder. After dinner, Willie and Snow ignited a pleasing campfire that quickly drew folks from their camp areas. Light rain began to fall and with a blazing flash of lightning and an instantaneous earsplitting clap of thunder heavy rain descended upon the group. After the rain abated, like wet prairie dogs, folks came out of their dens in hopes of reviving the camp fire. But, the kindling and wood were soaked, so folks retreated for the evening.
Saturday morning dawned damp and sunny. Coyotes wandering near camp serenaded early risers wth their yips, barks, and yodeling cries. After breakfast at mid-morning we headed out for another day of exploring forest roads northeast of camp. We discovered FR 317KC, a road no one in the group had traversed. This out and back road proved to be challenging in a very fun way, winding through trees, crossing meadows, and with an occasional wet clump of root that denied traction to unsuspecting drivers. One area had a few downed logs that had to be removed. Upon pulling one log from the road John discovered, in a not so good way, that we had inadvertently agitated a bee's nest. After a dose of Benadryl and some ibuprofen, John was good to continue driving the route. About noon, the group stopped for lunch at the edge of a meadow. The clouds had been building and there were sprinkles. With a clap of thunder the clouds relinquished their bounty so folks had to retreat to their vehicles to finish eating. After lunch we continued to the southeast contouring at an elevation of about 9,000 feet. The rained continued and roads became slippery and muddy. We arrived back at camp late afternoon via a muddy, lightly used road. Judging by accumulated puddles of water on folks tents and awnings and disturbed forest duff, the rains had been heavy at camp. As the clouds broke and sunny skies prevailed, folks cooked and enjoyed dinner. Willie and Snow, assembled and ignited another joyous campfire. Cathy heated a batch of popcorn over the flames for an after dinner treat. After darkness descended upon the satiated campers, the clouds recuperated and rain once again announced its presence. With full bellies and warm hearts and souls, holidaymakers returned to their cocoons for a restful night's sleep.
Sunday morning greeted us again with bright, but damp conditions. Josh had some ideas of roads to explore so he took over leading a smaller group as Frank and Matt had to head home. Mid-morning we headed west of camp to explore cross-over roads between FR 103 and FR 93. We tried two different roads within a burn scare only to be thwarted my numerous downed snags. Finally FR 93Q allowed us to pass through. This was another lightly used road that none of us had previously traversed. We were rewarded with fun, challenging conditions and a lunch spot with a view into Chama River Canyon. After lunch we covered roads abutting the San Pedro Parks Wilderness; traveling through spruce and fir trees at around 10,000 feet elevation. We crossed numerous large mud hole along roads that had been filled with recent heavy rains. Having to say goodbye to Josh, Amy and Snow, a diminished group returned to camp late by afternoon. Jack cut and split firewood the the evening's campfire as wells as his and Cathy's dinner cooking fire. Jack, Cathy, John, and Willie enjoyed a quiet evening sharing stories and reminiscing around the campfire until rain herded us to our beds.
By 9:00 Monday morning the remaining trekkers were packed up and heading back to civilization and hot, dry weather.
