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| La Cienega sunrise and the Sangre de Cristos |
The riding out on the Caja del Rio is mixed, undeveloped two-track and four-track, embedded rock, several range-fences to stop at and navigate through (or over). Riding the Caja without a tubeless setup or without tools and the know-how to use them is something I'd discourage. Direct access to the rock-art requires a dismount and scramble. But the area is remarkable in its quiet beauty and remote feel so close to town. Very few locals seem to know this, but the Caja is 9,000 acres of public National Forest land that stretches out and beyond Diablo Canyon to the north. That's nearly La Cienega to San Ildefonso, bordered on the west by the Rio Grande. The potential of this area beyond grazing, wood-cutting, and random shooting practice is a bit staggering particularly in light of the successful recent transformation of La Tierra.
Sunday's dawn was magnificent and included a chorus of coyote howls, barking dogs, and the call of roosters from nearby ranching homes. A fine way to start a ride.
Sunday's dawn was magnificent and included a chorus of coyote howls, barking dogs, and the call of roosters from nearby ranching homes. A fine way to start a ride.
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| Mesa break to the Caja del Rio Plateau. Maybe the most mesmerizing view of 2013 to date |
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| Up close with my omni-present running/cycling partner - Tetilla Peak. |
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| Sandia Peak a tower in the near distance |
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| Lonely road through the Caja, framed by the snow-capped Jemez range to the north |
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| Past is prologue |
Duration: 1hr 42min
Terrain: Four-track, unconsolidated rock and basalt, and improvised cross country sections
View La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs - Santa Fe, NM in a larger map
I never did get a chance to check out the Caja. Looks like a place to explore!
ReplyDeleteStrangest thing with the Caja, it's right there but nobody has visited and nobody knows where the trails/roads go. It's like some futuristic dystopia where the cows are in control and the humans don't dare venture near. Hahaha. Well we'll have most of it ridden out in another month or two. I'll report back.
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