Momentous Adventures-A Pecos Traverse (part 2)

Natural face in a Aspen

After being in the high country for several days, it’s nice to get a little lower now and again. Wake up well rested and get some grub before heading down the Cave Creek TR. I must confess, when I thought of New Mexico in the past I would have never thought that the forest here would be as diverse as it is. With a good mix of  deciduous and coniferous trees along with a varied understory, it is anything but predictable. Start climbing again as the meadows start getting bigger and views of the big mountains improve as the Creek gets smaller. Soon enough you get to higher ground again as you pass Stuart Pond with deep forest around its borders. Climb a bit higher to Stuart Lake. Camps are off to the right of the lake on top of a rise above it. There are also a couple of quieter spots down the hill in a more boggy section if you would like closer to the water. At any rate, go eat your dinner on the other side of the lake on top of a big boulder that jets out past the shore.

Stuart Pond

Stuart Lake

I made an awesome Pastor Burrito out there

After a quiet night, it’s time to start heading out of the high country. Take the Windsor TR as it steadily makes its way to lower ground. First on a well graded trail and then switching to an old roadbed after you climb over a small ridge. If you have time you can find nice camping off the outlet stream of Lake Johnson. The cascading creek and the steepness of the terrain around a couple of random flat spots made it seem special to me. Anyway, when you get down to the Ski Resort’s parking lot you can find nice spots that were absolutely free some how just past it? I find it interesting that such a posh resort would have free camping so close to it. Must be some easement from the Forest Service. We stayed here for the night because some mean clouds were spilling in to the valley. The Pecos Wilderness was stunning and much more approachable than other parts of the Rockies that I have seen. You get up high and can stay there for a long period of time ridges that you can bail out in if the weather gets trifling, that’s quite frankly hard to find. Get your Pecos on soon my friend!

Down, down, down

Good camping bellow Lake Johnson

Rocks

See ya’