Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 23, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I'm bouncing around a few ideas of places to head for the labor day weekend.
One that is bubbling to the top is Farmington, NM and spending some time in Bisti wilderness and maybe the Angel Peak area. It looks like temps are predicted to be in the high 80s to low 90s.
I'd like to hear from those who have been to this area this time of year and those that live down there about the pros and cons. I'm sure the badlands don't offer much respite from the heat but I can manage that. It seems like Farmington is close enough to head back that way for the afternoon and spend the mornings and evenings in the badlands.
Another option is Pagosa Springs, which I know will be cooler.
I had plans bouncing around, but instead I'm moving into my new house.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 23, 2008 at 1:13 PM
I live 75 miles from Farmington, and visited the Bisti area (35 miles away +/-) during the end of June for several successive days. I had to work around Farmington then, so I got a cheap motel and made the most of it. Not a lot going on in that town during the day, though.
Yeah, it gets hot, but you only want to be there during the morning/evening hours anyway.
I really enjoyed my time there, and got a few fine images while I was at it. I think that it's a great idea to visit the place...it's certainly unique!
If you're not familiar with the area, drop me a line and I'll email you a map with GPS coordinates to the more scenic areas so you can better manage the time you spend there, along with info. on the rarely visited and photographed Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness area, which is south of the Bisti. This is an area with yellow hoodoos that I found quite fascinating, and is not nearly as sprawled out as the Bisti. I've worked and roamed around the Angel Peak area (as a surveyor) in the past, and didn't find that much of interest there. I think you'd find the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah area much more interesting (and compact). Camping there is advised for best morning/evening light, as it's quite a few miles down dirt roads to get there.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 23, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Thanks John, I'll drop you a line.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on August 23, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Kalin,
Although Farmington is only ~30 miles away, I've never gone back into town for an afternoon break. There's lots to explore and you'll want the time to find an evening location. Once you hike in for a few miles, I doubt you;d want to return to Farmington and do it all over again. So, I'd recommend planning on food and water for a full day, and retreat to Farmington only if the heat is too much.
If you get tired of Bisti, Shiprock is a great morining and evening location.
Discussion
6 repliesOne that is bubbling to the top is Farmington, NM and spending some time in Bisti wilderness and maybe the Angel Peak area. It looks like temps are predicted to be in the high 80s to low 90s.
I'd like to hear from those who have been to this area this time of year and those that live down there about the pros and cons. I'm sure the badlands don't offer much respite from the heat but I can manage that. It seems like Farmington is close enough to head back that way for the afternoon and spend the mornings and evenings in the badlands.
Another option is Pagosa Springs, which I know will be cooler.
Yeah, it gets hot, but you only want to be there during the morning/evening hours anyway.
I really enjoyed my time there, and got a few fine images while I was at it. I think that it's a great idea to visit the place...it's certainly unique!
If you're not familiar with the area, drop me a line and I'll email you a map with GPS coordinates to the more scenic areas so you can better manage the time you spend there, along with info. on the rarely visited and photographed Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness area, which is south of the Bisti. This is an area with yellow hoodoos that I found quite fascinating, and is not nearly as sprawled out as the Bisti. I've worked and roamed around the Angel Peak area (as a surveyor) in the past, and didn't find that much of interest there. I think you'd find the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah area much more interesting (and compact). Camping there is advised for best morning/evening light, as it's quite a few miles down dirt roads to get there.
Although Farmington is only ~30 miles away, I've never gone back into town for an afternoon break. There's lots to explore and you'll want the time to find an evening location. Once you hike in for a few miles, I doubt you;d want to return to Farmington and do it all over again. So, I'd recommend planning on food and water for a full day, and retreat to Farmington only if the heat is too much.
If you get tired of Bisti, Shiprock is a great morining and evening location.
Ken