GDT Day 34 - Elk Creek CG to Chama

Sat. Sept. 3, 2016

Start - ~9800'
High pt  10230'
Lo pt 7871'
End Elv ~7871'
Climbing 1900'

Miles ~25
Total time 5:00
Ride time
Day with BOB 32

Good morning, fog shine. I was hoping for a drying pattern would be taking over, given my InReach weather report. However, it rained again over night.  This is very crucial intel, as the roads can be bad or even impassble in places on the route over the next 3 days. First place that is impassible is only a couple of miles off pavement on todays route.

I ride up paved La Manga Pass, with 7% grades in places. I am getting closer and closer to New  Mexico. Indeed I have been in part of old Mexico, New Spain for quite a while now through southern Colorado. You will notice Spanish place names have been showing up. Salida, Del Norte, Carnero Pass, Pentitente Canyon, Rio Grande, Plataro, Horca. The Spanish settlement of these parts pre-date the inclusion in the USA. More than place names remain, their are old families whose roots go back many generations, more so in New Mexico but also here.

I get to my turn off, and the grey and dark clouds are manifest again. I have checked a couple of side roads along the way, some look pretty muddy. I decide to take the recommended paved wet weather detour to Abiquiu, it certainy has been a cold and wet pattern for a few weeks in these mountains. I dont want to get delayed as I am to meet Glenda in Abiquiu on Monday, as well as I would like to dry out and not ride in the rain and grit.
So I stay on the highway to Chama NM. I enter New Mexico, the land of enchantment. I am hoping for more enchanting weather here! One could argue I have finished another state when I exited Colorado. This does leave uncovered just a few miles of formal, backcountry route left in Colorado,as well as the mountainous northern NM. Which, BTW, I am very interested in exploring this 110 mile stretch through these New Mexico mountains. Some day.....

As I start up Cumbres Pass I see the Cumbres and Toltec narrow gage coalburning tourist train smoking and chugging it's way to Antinito via the Toltec Gorge. Cumbres Pass is also the pass for the rail line, and it has a depot and extensive operations history.
It is a 10 mile cruise down to Chama losing 2200'.  I stay at the friendly and shady Rio Chama RV park, right on the Rio Chama and the rail line. Close enough in town to get dinner and visit the local tap room, sample a couple of different NM micro brews. It is an art tour weekend, and the tap house is hosting a number of works. All and all, a pleasant visit to charming Chama.