Southwest NEW MEXICO Rockdocking Rock Hunt- July/August 2015

[Lily&Me]

My belief is....there is absolutely no reason to believe Ray Eklund would be less than honest nor lead us astray.

I have dry camped many times, once for 9 nights, I believe, and that doesn't intimidate me in the slightest. Plenty of fuel, propane and water, and this I can do.

Any wilderness or off grid area, however, is not something I would do without someone very experienced alongside.

I believe Ray qualifies, and that we are safe under his tutelage and care.


Maggie.....if I'm the only one, I'm still going.

[Ray Eklund]

If anyone has looked at Rocks & Minerals or Gems & Minerals magazines and looked at the photographs of a group of people with shovels digging holes into a hillside in a DESERT... THIS IS NOT IT.

You are in the forest. You can ride a bicycle across the flat areas with moderate effort and down any dirt roads with minimal, if any traffic. Maybe some cattle will be brought into some fenced areas for Summer grazing in the National Forest. They, the cattle, bring their own... flies. You bring whatever you want.

There are hummingbirds that have never seen a Human and will sit on your hand and lick the apple your are eating. So, bring a small hummingbird feeder to attach to your awning or a tree next to your trailer. Sugar 1 scoop to 4 or 5 scoops of water.

[Ray Eklund]

Thalweg... your lovely wife will be surprised that this area can get more snow than Buffalo, Wyoming. Hot with 3% humidity means that 80 in the sunlight could be 65 in the shade.

Bring clothing for hot, warm and cold. I was shoveling snow Saturday here in Castle Rock and digging up freeze kill plants in a tee shirt, today. This area will get us into the 6500 to 7200 feet elevation. This is not the New Mexico you read about in Desert Magazine. Even Carlsbad is worth visiting afterwards. If you have not been there before, you will kick yourself for not going after or before this trip.

Maggie has more confidence in my abilities than my blank resume. But, there is a comfort zone knowing that if ANYONE needs assistance getting IN OR OUT, there will at least be myself and anyone who takes the challenge to try this... just once, at least.

If you have a pulse. If you can inhale and exhale fresh mountain air. You might have a great possibility to survive this.

If you do not bring enough food, water, have a map, no clothing for cold, warm or hot weather... I will loan stuff out for cookies and someone to carry out MY FINDS. Otherwise, bring your own. Even Boy Scouts do not go into this area. They go to an area about fifty miles from here, but I would be afraid that some of you would resist the "improved road" climb to the mesa needing 4 wheel drive pulling a trailer for the first three or four miles. It is a bit more of a challenge, but not for a new group.

If I do not get along with you, or anyone else, this is the route I will take them. I have not been there for a number of years and would have to take the Tow Vehicle the first five miles to see what I am getting myself into. Just not for this trip. Although 4 wheel drive tow vehicle is 100% required. Not for the grade, but if you lose traction... you might imagine your life has just ended when you realize that you are on the ridge of what might be the Continental Divide, until you get to the flat mesas on top. We could call this Gila Trip for Daredevils.

Somewhere on the Forum are some photographs of our campsite in this area, or one of them, some years back. Since I have maxed my photographs, there are no more to follow. Probably under Southwest New Mexico...

[Thalweg]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Thalweg... your lovely wife will be surprised that this area can get more snow than Buffalo, Wyoming. Hot with 3% humidity means that 80 in the sunlight could be 65 in the shade.

Well, I just went home for lunch and told the wife that we're going. She said: oooooo kaaaaay. So it looks like we're in for the July trip.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Thalweg

Well, I just went home for lunch and told the wife that we're going. She said: oooooo kaaaaay. So it looks like we're in for the July trip.

*****

I want an autographed photo of the Longmire author for your having to think about heading south and out of County 24.... Wyoming plate and the Rez...

[Thalweg]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

*****

I want an autographed photo of the Longmire author for your having to think about heading south and out of County 24.... Wyoming plate and the Rez...

Those 24 County plates are hard to find. I'm not sure why.

Craig Johnson was in the bookstore in Sheridan last week signing his new book. If I'd had only known... I see his old beater pickup around town occasionally. If I see him, I'll tell him that Ray wants a picture.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Thalweg

Well, I just went home for lunch and told the wife that we're going. She said: oooooo kaaaaay. So it looks like we're in for the July trip.

And then there were two......


Maggie

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Thalweg

Those 24 County plates are hard to find. I'm not sure why.

Craig Johnson was in the bookstore in Sheridan last week signing his new book. If I'd had only known... I see his old beater pickup around town occasionally. If I see him, I'll tell him that Ray wants a picture.

*****

Ray wants a signed picture: "To Nancy from Craig Johnson." Not forged in town, but the real Craig Johnson. I already know a Greg Johnson here that has nothing to do with Buffalo.

For those of you who wonder what Thalweg and I are finding funny, read this.

Wyoming has only 23 Counties. The TV series Longmire has its author living outside of Buffalo, Wyoming. As you drive into Buffalo there is a large banner saying "The Home of Longmire". We saw it last Summer after leaving the Custer Battlefield at Crow Agency, Montana. The "Rez" is the Wind River Indian Reservation near Riverton, Wyoming which opened a Casino for all of you... tourists and locals. The TV series has the "Rez" probably near Buffalo, which it is not.

Close Encounters of the Third kind used Devil's Tower and the vehicles were also showing County 24 license plates. So, now you know the rest of the story.

I would like to have a Wyoming County 24 plate some day. Even the locals would have no clue.

We loved the TV program. Nancy does not know about the book or books. Since I have thousands of geology, archaeology, paleontology and water surveys... I never have run out of reading material. She will read... fiction... while I am busy looking for the next place to discover anything interesting to find and where to camp.

[Thalweg]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

*****

Ray wants a signed picture: "To Nancy from Craig Johnson." Not forged in town, but the real Craig Johnson. I already know a Greg Johnson here that has nothing to do with Buffalo.

For those of you who wonder what Thalweg and I are finding funny, read this.

Wyoming has only 23 Counties. The TV series Longmire has its author living outside of Buffalo, Wyoming. As you drive into Buffalo there is a large banner saying "The Home of Longmire". We saw it last Summer after leaving the Custer Battlefield at Crow Agency, Montana. The "Rez" is the Wind River Indian Reservation near Riverton, Wyoming which opened a Casino for all of you... tourists and locals. The TV series has the "Rez" probably near Buffalo, which it is not.

Close Encounters of the Third kind used Devil's Tower and the vehicles were also showing County 24 license plates. So, now you know the rest of the story.

I would like to have a Wyoming County 24 plate some day. Even the locals would have no clue.

We loved the TV program. Nancy does not know about the book or books. Since I have thousands of geology, archaeology, paleontology and water surveys... I never have run out of reading material. She will read... fiction... while I am busy looking for the next place to discover anything interesting to find and where to camp.

And as a sideline, the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce has started the "Longmire Days Celebration". The banner Ray saw was probably part of this. This year will be the 4th annual, and will be on July 17-19. They shut down Main Street. Some of the actors usually show up. There will probably be a car show, poker run, street dance, horseshoe tournement, vendors, etc. Last year I think there were around 5000 people downtown, which is wall to wall people for Buffalo, and more than the entire population of the town. Not being one who appreciates crowds, I avoid the whole thing. This year, it looks like I'll be in New Mexico.

[Ray Eklund]

This general 1,000,000 acres or more were first logged at the turn of the last century. These were the original roads... logging roads. There are places where the beer cans of hunters stop, the stumps from original growth trees... stop and you might the first person to be at some locations, after us of course. You will walk into Indian Pit Houses that have not been pot hunted and unblemished by anyone.

There is one Pit House overlooking a creek that was in excellent condition on a ledge. Found it by accident while we were coming down a steep slope to the creek bed to check for agates in the gravel bed. Tried to come back a second time with a camera... and could not find it again.

I am sure this Pit House has been undiscovered since being abandoned and left for the Gila Cliff Dwellings with its small flowing spring at the base of the dwellings. I still know about where this Pit House was, but even I could not retrace my route to find it a second time. Kid you not. Now we carry a GPS and can mark any location. Some places in this area are really remote for the casual hiker, as there can be no trails and you make your way through and be observant what might be around the next corner.

[Prickly Pear]

We signed on last week for July 13. I failed to follow that with a post here.

Jim and Paula

[Lily&Me]

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

We already have a group of four rigs. Pretty good on fairly short notice.

Looking at the map.....Dubois, WY may be doable next year, depending on elevations needing to be driven to.

I will undoubtedly challenge myself some on this trip, may find I can do more than I think.


Maggie

[traveluminum]

Shelly and I will be there, and at least one of us is excited! Shelly is still scratching her head wondering why we are going to look for rocks. But, she'll be the one finding more, or better ones than me. We will plan on going to Gila cliff dwellings sometime while we are there. I was there around 1970, and want to see it again.

[unifreck]

We wanna, wanna, wanna , GO!!! Jan and I (Ed) will be there in July. Really looking forward to learning and sharing a great experience, so add another Interstate to the group. My only question is our height (almost 10 feet) and our ground clearance, but we always seem to solve all those little inconveniences.
Ed and Jan.

[Lily&Me]

Yeay!!

Getting a crowd.....and another Interstate!

Ray has assured me an Interstate will have no problem, so we should be good to go.

If you have never dry-camped, this should be an excellent, break-in adventure.



Maggie

[Ray Eklund]

I had a couple PM Private Messages, that probably many others are also curious about.

Clarifying DATES for Quemado.

June 15th I will be watering up, topping off my gasoline tank and getting back into the Boondocking area to check on road conditions and the access to "hunter's camps". Also figure out how I will have trailers enter, park and detach the tow vehicle. I do not plan to be there very long, as will be leaving there in a day or two. Anyone is welcome to show up and plan to be in Quemado, NM, finish what I need to do, check with the Forest Service office about maps of the Gila National Forest. This is really a "work detail for my wife and I" just so I have a good sense of where everyone can or could be fitted.

July 13 is the recommended date to come. I will be staying longer and actually explain what we are doing, and how to "find" these unusually formed chalcedony "agates". This is the real opportunity. June 15 is checking available camp sites and just road conditions. We will be leaving as soon as I am satisfied we have room and access. A 5 to 7 days camped will give myself and everyone a taste of this area.

Read the Thread. If you cannot figure out the times and dates, you need to look harder.

Another is giving the location in advance.

You will have the location when you arrive at the campsite. If I pull from my GPS a location, it could be #97 and put you in some meadow where I found some nice chalcedony where there is no road or trail. I can drive from Colorado to the camp site without using a map. I carry the Gila National Forest map with me, as there are many roads and some go the... wrong direction.

I have to assure you. As anyone understands that once ONE person knows where this area is... the world will eventually know. After camped in this area the first time, I was within a mile of finding these unusual agates, but left not knowing. We returned the following year because the area was great for exploring and accidentally found our first specimen. No one else has seen this area for chalcedony. Once we are camped, you will be among the small number of people who will know. It will give me some satisfaction knowing that others can spend whatever time exploring, without the sweat equity I put into finding this place. No Rock Hunting Guide will have this within their text. Many will not realize what an opportunity this is for you. Ask my wife about my giving up this chalcedony rosette location... Then you will understand the magnitude of this simple offer.

[Ray Eklund]

Maggie was so gracious to keep track of who is coming. She will need your Forum Name, Name, Cell Phone if one while on the road, and the length of your trailer, pop up, tent or RV. I need to have an idea how to arrange as many in an area that is central.

There are two camp sites within a half mile from another. One is right next to the improved all weather road, but had a tougher access angle from the main road.

The second has more options to park and an easier angle off the main road that a longer than 25 foot in tow might need a few leveling blocks to keep the plumbing up high enough to clear while coming down to the side road. Going OUT is easy as you are going UP. The going IN you are dropping down and the plumbing and the bumper needs to clear.

If anyone is confused as to the date, times or where to meet... read the posts.

We will be leaving Quemado, NM at 2:30PM on July 13. If everyone is accounted for, we will leave as soon as everyone is watered up, topped off their gasoline tanks and we need to get into the forest while we have sunlight. Any Airstream or trailer sitting along side the road in Quemado will not leave you behind. Just follow the last trailer as we head south on Highway 32 to the Apache National Forest boundary.

[Hittenstiehl]

Oh Ray

When I Pm'd you about about dates I was jokingly going to ask " in 20 words or less what are the dates ".

I am reading the posts but you do meander a bit.

Okay got the arrival date/meet up date, July 13. When will you be staying through please.

Thx

[Lily&Me]

Ray asked, and, of course, I agreed......

He also said I seem to be the "cheerleader" of this group. Hmmmm.

I can't help it, it is exciting!

If y'all will pm me your information, I will create a document on Pages on my IPad to keep it, and you have my word it will go nowhere other than to Mr. Eklund via a pdf. document thru personal email, at the appointed time.

It won't be shared with anyone else, and will be deleted from my IPad once arrangements are complete and it is sent to Ray. Your information is safe with me.

Meanwhile.....I have ordered four of the 2.5 gallon, collapsible water containers.

40 gallons of water should get Lily & I thru a week.

We're not going to really be rally-style, are we, Ray? As in potlucks? I just don't have frig capacity for anything more than myself for a week.


Maggie

[Ray Eklund]

I had posted some years ago about getting your trailer across ditches and turning off onto a road that is below the main road. This is WHAT THIS trip is going to teach you. You will not be on your own and left to fend for yourself. I do want everyone to get an A and not a poor grade for not watching your "plumbing".

It is easier if I explain a few things to make you comfortable.

I or anyone else who has "Rockdocking" experience IS GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW to navigate without doing damage to your trailer. My wife and I work as a
TEAM and you and your wife will be trained by the time you leave camp. There are no classes on how to do this. Those experienced will be there, or I will be there to get the chain started, to make you competent for this and any other off the grid experience. We learned the hard way using common sense and learning how to use what we had with us to navigate some very... interesting situations. All were successful and YOU WILL BE TOO.

You will need to understand that you need to be thinking ahead on this kind of adventure. I am looking a mile ahead for dust. It could be a vehicle going towards you, or away. You have to be vigilant knowing where your trailer is on the road. You will always be watching the clearance of your plumbing when changing elevations. You, you, you. If YOU are not sure about clearance, have someone watch and guide you through.

You have to have "leveling blocks". If you are short some, we will offer ours if needed. Even a two foot 2x12 inch board can be a bridge to anywhere!

IF everyone on this adventure is new at this... my wife and I will teach each and everyone how. Part is watching. Part is our making you do it. There is no embarrassment in not knowing. When we teach YOU, you will be helping the next in line.

Actually. This is more the purpose of having this trip. The chalcedony rosettes are YOUR BONUS for making such an effort. Look up New Mexico Chalcedony on Ebay for varieties. Your finds will reward your... stress at the beginning.

When "following" the trailer ahead of you on a dusty road... keep back far enough so you are not "eating dust". Sometimes a strong cross wind helps, sometimes you need to lay back and let the dust blow off the road. Nobody is going to be left or stranded. When the front trailer stops... you will just close in and stop.