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Basic Ride info | Entry fees | Meals | Awards | Ride Rules
Ride Overview | Veterinarians | Weather | Trails | Resources

Basic Ride Info:

Ride & Tie Info

One base camp, two trails, three days = easy for crews and riders!

• There is plenty of room for parking rigs at base camp. If we have a parking director, PLEASE follow his/her directions to a parking area!
• Horse water will be available in camp & on trail.
• Riders should be totally self-contained; lunches only are provided with your entry.
• High altitude (base camp is at approximately 7880 ft.) - be prepared for any kind of weather, from snow to cold rain to heat.
• Gas, restaurant, groceries, fishing and other amemities avaliable within a few miles.
• There is limited cell service in Catron County and may be none on the trail!
• Speed limit is 20 MPH on the road past Quemado Lake. Campers in the public campground don't appreciate dust and fast driving - and State Police will be patrolling the road.
• Because it is Memorial Day weekend, expect speed traps - especially through the village of Quemado!

Base camp is at the El Caso Ranch private campground near Quemado Lake in Catron County, NM. This ride will have horse water, porta potties, good parking, but no potable (human drinking) water. Base camp is only a couple miles from a general store, gas pumps and a cafe with a bar (note limited hours for these facilities). Quemado Lake offers fishing and boat rentals. The ride trail uses private, forest and county roads and trails.

Entry fee:

• Adult riders: $100 per day ($90 per day if entry received by May 16, 2011)
• Juniors: $80
• Non-AERC members add $15/day
• Download entry form

Meals Etc:

• Lunches will be served to Riders at the vet checks. Dinner meals will NOT be served. Riders will be on their own for dinner.
• Extra lunches $10 (rider's dinners included in ride fee)
• Free coffee, tea, cocoa and pastries in the morning
• Free trail snacks for riders available at vet checks
• Last night party includes (free) beer/wine with dinner for those old enough!
• WARNING: There be bears and lions and wolves in these forests. Keep all food inside rigs!
• Dogs must be on leashes at all times (bears and wolves like to eat dogs - ride managers may be vicious when it comes to dogs, too)!
• Ride meetings at 7:30 PM each night before the rides
• Ride & Tie clinic after ride meeting on Saturday evening

Completion awards: All 3 days for all distances provided by Horses Decor

Ride Rules:

• AERC rules apply. Ride management reserves the right to apply (and enforce) additional rules; break them at your own risk and jeopardize your completion.
• Take your garbage home with you (pack it in, pack it out).
• Horse manure may be spread out at campsites.
• NO SMOKING outside of vehicles - fire hazard is high!
• Dogs on leash (loose dogs may be fed to the bears and/or wolves). Problem (barking, biting or otherwise annoying) dogs may be disposed of one way or another.

Ride overview:

If you are into endurance riding (not racing) you can really enjoy this ride. We have some new sections of trails this year - all trails may have rocks, some steep descents, mud if it's raining. There is some riding on hard-packed dirt county and forest roads, with two pavement crossings - we have eliminated the part of the trail that requires riding alongside US 32. We will try to have people at gates to open them for you, but we won't guarantee that. All trails are at high altitude (base camp is approximately 7880') and low humidity (unless, of course, it is raining). We will provide water for horses at vet checks and on the trail; electrolytes for humans and riders are highly recommended! Much of the trail is in back country that is unaccessible by motor vehicles, so you will be responsible for your own safety and that of your horse!

Veterinarians: Dr. Sid Zargas (head vet). The nearest veterinary clinics are more than 100 miles away, so have pity on the ride vets and take the best possible care of your horses so they won't need treatment!

Landscape: This ride goes through Ponderosa pine forest of the Gila National Forest and pinon-juniper woodlands and grasslands on BLM, NM State Trust and private lands. This is dry country in general, but if it rains, the trail can be slippery and pack in hooves. Quemado Lake is a man-made lake fed by springs and run-off. El Caso Peak (8500+ ft) looms over our open-meadow base camp. Ponderosa pine and cottonwoods will provide shade for people and critters - including rattle snakes. You will ride by oaks and aspens, over gramma grass and if we have a wet winter, through beautiful wildflowers. If you are lucky, you will spot (but hopefully not interact with) carnivores such as mountain lion, black bear, Mexican wolves, coyotes, fox and bobcat. You may see herbivores such as elk, deer, antelope, jack rabbits and cottontails, skunk, porcupines and raccoons - plus domestic livestock (expect to be riding near cattle). Oh yes, there is javalina - carnivore or herbivore, your choice. There are bald eagles, ravens, vultures, a variety of hawks, some songbirds, herons and ducks near the lake and, if you're lucky you'll see the state bird, the roadrunner. Quemado Lake is stocked with trout and tiger muskie; boat rentals and fishing licenses are available at Snuffy's to the west of the lake.

Note that rabies has finally come to our area; your dogs (which must be leashed) should be current on rabies. Wouldn't hurt for your horses to be up to date on rabies as well.

Weather: Because of the altitude, in May any weather is normal weather. Snow is possible, as is rain, along with night temperatures below freezing. Alternatively, it may be sunny and hot, in the 90° range during the day. That's just life at high altitude. Grin and bear it or stay home and be comfy.

Weather Underground info for Quemado (6000' altitude, 14 miles north, so specific conditions may differ).
Also, Weather.com for RTD area

Where to camp at El Caso Springs Private Campground

 

Local resources:
  Gas stations
  Restaurants
  Groceries & supplies
  Motels RV Parks
  Horse supplies
  Veterinarians
  Medical

Ride Volunteers

Sanctioned by AERC and R&T Assoc.
· AERC Ride Calendar
· R&T Race Calendar

Sponsored by
· Springdale LLC
· Lif Strand

The Trails

NOTE: Ride Management may choose to reverse or change direction of these trails from what is described here, depending on weather and other conditions!

Friday, May 27, 2011 - EL CASO RANCH TRAIL (ARMIJO SPRINGS)
    50 Pioneer Multi-day starting at 07:00
    35 LD starting at 08:00
Trail runs south out of base camp around the base of El Caso Peak. Watch for boggy areas through the big meadow a few miles out of camp. The climb up to the lookout is steep with switchbacks, and rocky. On the other side of the lookout, after more trail and forest roads, the vet check is just to the northwest of Armijo Springs USFS Campground. 50 milers continue on to the west for a 15 mile loop which leaves the dirt county road quickly and takes you cross country. You will cross over NM 32 twice (paved) - we will have a truck with flashing lights and warning signs at these spots to get vehicle traffic to slow down. Another stop at Armijo Springs vet check and you're on your way back to camp over the mountain.

Saturday, May 28, 2011 - MANGAS RANCH TRAIL
    55 Pioneer Multi-day starting at 07:00
    35 LD starting at 08:00
Trail runs north up a hard-packed dirt USFS road for about 5 miles until it jogs off onto the trail that climbs over the shoulder of Escondido Mountain. After the descent riders pick up some county roads until reaching the vet check on Mangas Ranch. 55 milers continue on to the east for a 20 mile loop mostly on ranch roads that uses part of the exit and return trails for the 15 mile loop. After returning to the vet check you return back to camp over a different trail than the morning, eventually joining the USFS road.

Sunday, May 29, 2011 - MANGAS RANCH TRAIL
    55 Pioneer Multi-day starting at 07:00
    35 LD starting at 08:00
    35 mile Ride & Tie
    See day 2, probably reverse direction. 50 milers will use the 15 mile loop after lunch.

Monday, May 30, 2011 - MEMORIAL DAY
Legal holiday - drive home safely!

Maps to base camp

 

Resources

Resources are listed if they are near enough to the ride to be useful. Of course there are many more resources the further away you go! More info coming in near future. Thanks for your patience.

Also see Linda Aragon's Guide to SW New Mexico

Gas stations
	Datil NM - Eagle Guest Ranch (575) 772-5612 (closed Sunday for sure - may also be closed for good now) Glenwood NM Quemado NM - J&Y Auto (575) 773-4775 Auto mechanic, auto supplies, 24 hour card pumps Quemado NM - Rito Quemado Convenience Store and Gas Station (575) 773-4664 24-hour gas/diesel Quemado Lake - Snuffy's Gas pumps, convenience store, hours vary Reserve NM - Black Gold Emporium: Gas and Diesel (575) 533-6538 Reserve NM - Henry's Corner: 24/hr. Gas and Diese (575) 533-6488
Restaurants & Saloons (unless otherwise noted, food places do not offer alcohol) B = Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
	Datil NM - Eagle Guest Ranch (575) 772-5612 (may be closed Sundays, full bar - may be closed for good now) B,L,D Glenwood NM - Blue Front Bar and Cafe. 575/539-2561 Glenwood NM - Golden Girls Cafe: breakfast 6-11 AM 7 days. (575) 539-2457 Glenwood NM - Mario's Pizza & Video. (575) 539-2316 Glenwood NM - Udder Delight Coffee Shop. (575) 539-2060 Pie Town NM - Pie Town Cafe (575) 772-2700 (closed Mondays) B, L Pie Town NM - Pie-O-Neer (575) 772-2711 (open Fri - Mon, hours vary) L Quemado NM - Largo Cafe (575) 773-4686 B,L,D Quemado Lake NM - Snuffy's Steakhouse & Saloon (575) 773-4672 (full bar) L,D (hours vary) Rancho Grande (Reserve) NM - Adobe Cafe (575) 533-6146 B,L Reserve NM - Ella's Cafe (575) 533-6111 B,L,D Reserve NM - Uncle Bill's Bar (575) 533-6369 Reserve NM - Wild West Coffee Shop (575) 533-6145 Springerville AZ - Booga Red's Restaurant & Cantina (928) 333-2640 (full bar) B,L,D Springerville AZ - Coyote Creek Steakhouse (928) 333-4022 (full bar) L,D (may be closed) Springerville AZ - Java Blue's (928) 333-5282 (full bar) B,L,D Springerville AZ - Los Dos Molinos (928) 333-4846 (beer & wine) (days vary) HOT/SPICY FOOD!
Groceries & supplies
	Apache Creek NM - Apache Creek Store (575) 533-6800 Quemado NM - Country Store Groceries, hunting supplies (575) 773-4545 Quemado Lake - Snuffy's Tackle Shop Groceries, fishing supplies, liquor (575) 773-4672 Reserve NM - Black Gold Emporium (575) 533-6538 Reserve NM - Jakes General Merchandise 575/533-6565 Reserve NM - Henry's Corner: (575) 533-6488
Motels RV Parks
	Cruzville NM - Apache RV Park RV hookups, laundry (575) 533-6398 Pie Town NM - Half Moon Hitch Bed & Barn RV hookups, horse accommodations (575) 772-2697 Quemado NM - Largo Motel (575) 773-4686
Horse supplies - veterinary & feed
	Quemado, NM - Catron Feed (575) 773-4768 (call ahead to be sure someone's there) Bagged feeds, occasionally hay Reserve, NM - Jake's General Merchandise (575) 533-6565 Limited equine & pet supplies Springerville AZ - Spur Feeds (928) 333-3828 Full line of equine & pet supplies & feeds
Veterinarians
	To the North Gallup NM - Cedar Animal Medical Center (505) 722-7786 Gallup NM - Red Rock Animal Hospital (505) 722-2251 Milan/Grants, NM - Airport Animal Clinic (505) 287-2763 To the East Socorro NM - Animal Haven Veterinary Clinic (575) 835-3545 Socorro NM - Ark of Socorro Veterinary Clinic (575) 835-9002 To the South Silver City NM area - Arenas Valley Animal Clinic (575) 388-1993 Silver City NM - Town & Country Veterinary Clinic (575) 538-3700 Silver City NM - Animal Medical Center (575) 388-1503 To the West Lakeside AZ - White Mountain Animal Hospital (928) 368-8425
Medical
	Reserve NM - Catron County Medical Clinic (575) 533-6456 (satellite clinic open in Quemado on Wednesdays) Grants NM - Cibola General Hospital (505) 287-4446 Silver City NM - Gila Regional Medical Center (575) 538-4000 Socorro NM - Socorro General Hospital (575) 835-1140 Springerville AZ - White Mountain Regional Medical Center (928) 333-4368