Chasing the Cumbres and Toltec October 6-8th, 2016

[MDH33]

Apologies if I am overlooking the obvious, but where are we camping? Between Antonito and Chama from what I gather here.
I think I can only get the boy out of school Thursday and Friday, as he missed a few days this week (sick). So we would head out Thursday and get in Thursday PM.
We are camping in the same spot the entire time? Debating about the pop-up vs. tent camping.
Any problems skipping the canyon? It does not sound stock-Pig friendly...
Thanks!

I think base camp is near (Edit: Antonito, only Perry and Dan know the super secret location ) for the whole weekend. Apache Canyon is Thursday, so if you show up Thursday PM, you could just meet up in camp.

Do we have any plans for a shared meal/s or cook on our own? Safe to assume campfire friendly site?

I was planning on bringing my big 3 burner stove and would be up for some potluck or shared meals.

Corbet, are you bring a RTT? I would love to check out one of the Tepui tents. Thinking about upgrading to something bigger than my ARB Simpson II at some point.

 

[Corbet]

Yes, I'll be rocking a Tepui Tent and Awning.

 

[MDH33]

Yes, I'll be rocking a Tepui Tent and Awning.

Excellent.

 

[bh4rnnr]

Apologies if I am overlooking the obvious, but where are we camping? Between Antonito and Chama from what I gather here.

I think I can only get the boy out of school Thursday and Friday, as he missed a few days this week (sick). So we would head out Thursday and get in Thursday PM.

We are camping in the same spot the entire time? Debating about the pop-up vs. tent camping.

Any problems skipping the canyon? It does not sound stock-Pig friendly...

Thanks!

TJ,

Camp will be a bit closer to Antonito. Basically above the old maintenance town of Sublet. It is friendly for the pop up. Brian had his trailer at the spot last year.

No problems skipping the canyon, other than the what looks to be a fun drive. And it's not really a canyon, from all my map reading. The trail does cross Apache Creek. Probably where the name came from.

And yes on camping in the same spot every night.

Do we have any plans for a shared meal/s or cook on our own? Safe to assume campfire friendly site?

Corbet,

No planned for shared meals as of yet, but might be fun. Maybe one of the nights? As far as I know, safe for campfires.

 

[PabloCruise]

TJ,

Camp will be a bit closer to Antonito. Basically above the old maintenance town of Sublet. It is friendly for the pop up. Brian had his trailer at the spot last year.

No problems skipping the canyon, other than the what looks to be a fun drive. And it's not really a canyon, from all my map reading. The trail does cross Apache Creek. Probably where the name came from.

And yes on camping in the same spot every night.

Awesome, thanks Perry! If the canyon is stocker friendly, I am in. I just thought there were comments earlier that said it was not so nice.

I will just plan on driving to Antonito and await further details.

 

[Corbet]

Well if the group is up for one night of Pot Luck.... I'll start it off with my home made baked beans.

 

[MDH33]

Well if the group is up for one night of Pot Luck.... I'll start it off with my home made baked beans.

I'll add beer brats and sauerkraut.

 

[Corbet]

Oh, now we are off and running

 

[PabloCruise]

As Perry said: come one and all!

We can pretty easily accommodate some late arrivals too, as we intend to set up camp (I will go down there early and claim our spot) and base camp out of it. I would be able to post up the location to meet up. With any luck, the FTM-400DR will simply be pumping out the coordinates by then.

VERY stocker friendly (well, maybe not Apache Canyon--Perry and I intend to go check that out in June). And very kid friendly too. Overall it should be a pretty relaxed little trip. I will invite the HDC guys too, if they want to come up from NM. And I will probably try to chase the train also on Sunday, before heading out.

Just a great time all around!

Dan

I just went back and re-read your write up from last year's trip Dan, getting excited for this.

The confirmed that I can only get the boy out of school Thurs/Fri since he missed 3 days being sick this week. So we will miss the Apache Canyon Thursday. On Saturday when we chase the train from the Antonito side will we be following the route you wrote about last year?

Getting excited - the Pig needs a good trip!

 

[bh4rnnr]

I just went back and re-read your write up from last year's trip Dan, getting excited for this.

The confirmed that I can only get the boy out of school Thurs/Fri since he missed 3 days being sick this week. So we will miss the Apache Canyon Thursday. On Saturday when we chase the train from the Antonito side will we be following the route you wrote about last year?

Getting excited - the Pig needs a good trip!

TJ,

Bummer you won't be able to do the Apache Canyon run. But i have a feeling that pig is going to photograph well against the C&TS! We will be doing the same route as we did last year for the Antonito side. My goal is to have the trucks staged at Whiplash Curve, read for the train.

And I got this from Dan this morning while working .

I'm ready!!

 

[PabloCruise]

Right on Perry! That would be a pretty picture indeed!

 

[PhatFJ]

So, Kim and I will bring potato salad for the pot luck. We will be tenting it along with our puppy Lucy (Goldendoodle) 6 mos old.. I have been looking online to see if there is anyone near either end of the train that would puppy sit for us both to go on the train. Kim said that she would stay with Lucy while I ride the train. I think I will ask the folks at the ticketing if they know of anyone that will watch a pooch for a day. Either way we are looking forward to a great trip, friends, camping and exploring.. I will be making our res. this week...

 

[dan1554]

If nobody called it, I'm in for chips and queso. Or anything else that doesn't have to be refrigerated.

 

[nattybumppo]

So, Kim and I will bring potato salad for the pot luck. We will be tenting it along with our puppy Lucy (Goldendoodle) 6 mos old.. I have been looking online to see if there is anyone near either end of the train that would puppy sit for us both to go on the train. Kim said that she would stay with Lucy while I ride the train. I think I will ask the folks at the ticketing if they know of anyone that will watch a pooch for a day. Either way we are looking forward to a great trip, friends, camping and exploring.. I will be making our res. this week...

Brian, I might be able to help you with dog sitting. My lab, Moose, and I may be in the area exploring but of course we will be in a Ford pick-up so not a part of the trip. But IF we don't go to the Swell instead, and IF we get there by Thursday night and IF we can find your camp site, and IF we don't get run out of town at gun-point for driving a sub-standard make of adventure vehicle...we would be happy to entertain your puppy for the day Friday so you can both ride the train.

 

[DanS]

There is a vet across the street from the Chama depot who boards dogs for the day.

My sister left her puppy there on Saturday when we rode the train.

So a quick trip report: the leaves are peaking currently around Poncha Pass. So maybe 1 week for them to peak around the C&TS. Luckily the area has so many aspens that they are already drop dead gorgeous, and will be for a few weeks.

The first snow was on Cumbres Pass on Friday night though, although it got much warmer on Saturday...

Dan

 

[MDH33]

Brian, I might be able to help you with dog sitting. My lab, Moose, and I may be in the area exploring but of course we will be in a Ford pick-up so not a part of the trip. But IF we don't go to the Swell instead, and IF we get there by Thursday night and IF we can find your camp site, and IF we don't get run out of town at gun-point for driving a sub-standard make of adventure vehicle...we would be happy to entertain your puppy for the day Friday so you can both ride the train.

Mighty Kind of you Sascha! and no way you would be chased off for driving the Ferd!

 

[PhatFJ]

You guys are the best!!! Sascha, thank you so much for the considerate offer!! IF it all works out that would be fantastic, IF not that's ok too. Thanks again for the thoight!!

Brian

 

[nattybumppo]

I should know by Monday.

 

[Inukshuk]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

If I make it - now planning - I'm going to take Friday as a day of rest. Train was amazing when we did it 2 years ago. My favorite part was a nap to the clickety clack of the wheels. But a restful day is on my mind right now/ Maybe some exploring of nearby attractions like the Beer Can Castle. Chasing Thursday and Saturday. Monday being Columbus day is anyone planning to take that extra day?

I'll drive down from Denver with the Wednesday PM crew and always up for a caravan.

I'll have my old dogs Zan and Jayna with me and happy to have a puppy along to annoy them.

Who is bringing cards against humanity?

I'll bring a pot - a poike pot - to the pot luck.

 

[PhatFJ]

Wow, that would be really cool. Between you and Sascha it looks like Kim might get to ride the train, we can't thank you guys enough for considering taking care of Lucy for the day. We just might be able to stay through Monday, I will have to check on a job we are in the middle of but it would be great. As far as the cards against humanity goes, I have them and will be happy to bring them. I have to warn you though, sometimes I can't stop laughing when I play that game... Great pictures!!!
All the best, Brian