Last night I camped up Bailey Pass road. I saw perhaps 6 elk @ a h2o source on the drive up. And several horses around my camp.
Today I finished the drive up to Cloudcroft @ 8900′. I arrived @ High Altitude shop just b4 10:00 opening. I met Matt, the owner. We chatted for awhile. He is sponsoring a mtn bike race Sunday, High Altitude. Cloudcroft is almost 5,000′ higher than the populated desert where most racers will be coming from. The altitude is just killing me.
Matt gave me a map of the Rim trail, T105, and suggested ride direction which I heeded: Park @ northern end, ride the hwy S to Southern trail end, and then ride the trail back. Six miles of pavement, stated 10 miles of trail that turned out to be 11 with 1979′ climbing, topping out @ 9300′. I considered riding the trail out @ back, considered operative word. Smooth pavement riding. The trail in parts was very rocky, some of it loose baseball sized but sharp edged. Mix in some roots and a trail beat by dirt bikes. Elevation was my challenge as I was continually winded on the shallowest of climbs. Great view out to west to White Sands which are blindingly white off in the distance.
A dirt bike overtook me. i stopped him and told him the trail was closed to motorized vehicles. He said it was open to dirt bikes. I lacked the knowledge other wise I would have blocked his forward progress. Back @ the trail end I saw the dirt bike closure sticker. Upper 8500′ elevation in mixed Doug Fir, P-pine, and aspen trees.
Even saw several banana yuccas. No running h2o. Some oak mixed in that had not leafed out. Deep tree cover riding.
Washed sweat off. Drove back into town. I walked the several blocks of town. I am parked on the old main st. Matt told me friends of his are playing @ the local watering hole @ 9:00. He offered me a place to park just outside of town. I might drive out there for the night then see if i have what it takes to walk back into town for entertainment.
Did you 420 on 4/20? I was premature, couldn’t wait.