Where was we?

[lew]

Somewhere in the Southwest is all I'm sayin'. Guess muchachos.

Winner gets a rusted out FN49 barrel worked on by Bubba the Aspiring Gunsmith.

http://i36.tinypic.com/2saleg1.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/35jcjgj.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/2vcw3t3.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/miman7.jpg

[hagar]

Not the Big Blue is it? What caliber, 7, 8 or 30/06?:biggrin:

[K.O.A.M.]

VMTZ's camp for aspiring janitors?

[lew]

Originally posted by hagar
Not the Big Blue is it? What caliber, 7, 8 or 30/06?:biggrin:

We were only packin' a Hi Power and a SW 686. The elk were as thick as flies. Made me wish I had something a touch bigger. And no, it's not.

KOAM: That bear would have long since expired if he was rummaging through Vince's grub. God knows what that heathen consumes.

[cdstjames]

Is that the Sangre de Cristo Mts.
Mabye the Valle?

[brownknees]

Dunno, but the dude in the blue short-sleeved shirt looks kinda nervous!

[cdstjames]

It is the Valle Vidal, but is that Little Castila?

[torquemada055]

Must be a pretty civilized bear to have an awning out in the woods like that.

Was he about to bar b que that heifer?

I dont know where you were but it sure is pretty, thanks for sharing such a great view.

[lew]

Originally posted by cdstjames
It is the Valle Vidal, but is that Little Castila?

Ya got it. As for the prize, you get a beating from the rusted out FN49 barrel. Sounds good?

The trailhead we chose (Clayton Corral) was about ten miles up the road from the point in the first picture and on the left (south) flank of Little Costilla.

I was amazed at how cultured the bears were. I swore I could have heard Beethoven playing, as well. If he was going to BBQ, I think I'd decline the invitation, as we could have been on the menu.:D

Between the cattle, elk, and bruins, we could have been fed for a while. Other than that, all we saw were some coyote pups, not to mention the awesome scenery. Since most of the area is cattle pasture, walking over the open spaces is hell on the ankles, due to all the tussocks and what not. Can't wait to go back.

[lew]

Here's the view from the trailhead looking south down toward Vidal Creek. The second photo is just to the right of the first and about a mile down.

http://i38.tinypic.com/28chbol.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/rh7v38.jpg

[jaykden]

great photos!

[lew]

Originally posted by jaykden
great photos!

Thanks. :D

Point and click baby. Hey, if ya will stand the lodgin' and the airfare, I'll take some great pics of our 49th state, too. :wink:

[XHardrock]

That elk is low to the ground and ugly.
Nice pics, looks like I need to get there.

[lew]

Originally posted by XHardrock
That elk is low to the ground and ugly.
Nice pics, looks like I need to get there.

I'd still eat it.

Maps are available from the Carson National Forest, Questa Ranger District.

[FAL GRUNT]

Man I wish I had been able to get up to the Val when I was at philmont last.

Still on my list of places to visit.

Did you visit the resort up there that never opened? Or whatever the big house is up there?

-myers

[jaykden]

Originally posted by lew


Thanks. :D

Point and click baby. Hey, if ya will stand the lodgin' and the airfare, I'll take some great pics of our 49th state, too. :wink:

well, i got me a couch.


forget the airfare, just go to northland services in seattle and lock yerself and some grub in a container bound for sitka...


:D

[vmtz]

Jemez mountains.

Fr. Vince

[lew]

Originally posted by FAL GRUNT

Did you visit the resort up there that never opened? Or whatever the big house is up there?

-myers

I think I know what you are talking about. There was some sort of complex by some lakes pretty much smack in the center of the park. We passed it while driving on the main road. And no, we stayed in the backcountry.

Originally posted by vmtz
Jemez mountains.

Fr. Vince

Thanks Vince. You know if those are a sub-range of the Sangre de Cristos, or their own separate entity?

Originally posted by jaykden
well, i got me a couch.


forget the airfare, just go to northland services in seattle and lock yerself and some grub in a container bound for sitka...


Noted. I've never stowed away before. First time for everything, I guess. Sitka, here I come!:biggrin:

[lew]

One last picture. I took this picture from behind a bush that about two feet square, after stalking behind the ridgeline to the rear, and low crawling the last hundred feet or so. My brother (icwells) was kind enough to pipe up and scare 'em off immediately after this picture was taken.

http://i36.tinypic.com/166y9ol.jpg