We Went on Our Annual Solitary Fall Crawl Today

[MarsChariot]

We went on our annual Fall Crawl with the Action Bronco on our favorite volcano. The interesting thing about our fall crawl is that we lock it in four low and work our way across the mountain, stop at our favorite grove of aspens, walk up and down the slopes, and have a picnic. Then we turn around and crawl back to the main forest road.
The trail is mostly used these days by the occasional ATV since most vehicles now are too big to drive these roads anymore, some of the turns are pretty tight in the trees, and there are a few steep, rocky ascents. The trail is extra bumpy and rocky because of all the lava flows that came down the side of the mountain. Old lava flows always tend to be the worst. Didn't see another vehicle on the whole mountain all day. Since we crawl way back into tight places to get to the aspen grove, this isn't a place to have trouble. Long walk out if anything broke. Took Route 66 most of the way back to Albuquerque
That is all. As you were!

 

[toddz69]

Gorgeous pictures!!! Thanks for sharing. I can relate to your comments on the widths of the trails. I was on some of my favorites last weekend and realized they're getting narrower because they see mostly UTV traffic these days.

Todd Z.

 

[kip60]

Aspens are beautiful this time of year! Thanks for the pictures. Hope to someday get mine back to the mountains and do the same!

 

[hyghlndr]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[73AnneBoleyn]

I believe #3 should be a calendar entry next year.

 

[AL_Bronco]

I believe #3 should be a calendar entry next year.

Agree. Beautiful pictures!

 

[ep67bro]

Wow great pics! Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[txtruk15]

I believe #3 should be a calendar entry next year.

totally agree, what a beautiful location!

 

[MarsChariot]

I appreciate the comments. Yes, Todd I agree that something is happening with back roads with the prevalence of UTVs. Some steep and especially rocky sections of trails are now becoming overgrown as those with UTVs just go around through the trees. There are sections that now have small ponderosa pines growing up through the rocks because no one is driving through those sections anymore. It use to be that you would hear or see somebody in an old pickup lumbering along the trails. They just don't anymore.
From what I have heard from relatives back east Fall is a little warm and colorless this year. Aspens may lack the dynamic color range, but they are consistent performers.
Today we took the Action Bronco on a 100 plus mile trip east along the backside of the Manzono Mountains east of Albuquerque to visit some old pueblo ruins. The perfect fall touring vehicle, highway or trail. Nothing out there like it. Dependable, strong, and a head turner. What other 40 plus year-old vehicle can you use to do all these things?
Here are a couple more pictures from the trip the other day..

 

[gnsteam]

Fabulous scenary Mars. Maybe you could organize a group drive to open up those trails.;D

 

[sprdv1]

Looks like and awesome day to me.. Thanks for sharing

 

[No Hay]

Fabulous scenary Mars. Maybe you could organize a group drive to open up those trails.;D

I agree.

Beautiful area and great pics.

A group drive helps keep the sport moving forward.

With the popularity of quads now, a lot of our single track dirt bike trails are getting wider, which is nice.