KaiserM715
Kaiser Söze
I put over 2000 miles on my truck in about a week and a half. Went to Amarillo, then to Red River, NM, back to Amarillo and then home. I had a chance to do some off-roading in New Mexico and north of Amarillo. The weather provided a much needed break from humidity (Ama: 95/66, very dry; RR 85/55, dry)
In the Red River area, I drove up to Greenie Peak, back down through the Midnight Meadows area to Forrest Access Road 134. We went east on 134 to the Anchor Mine. We took a side trip off of 134 up to Cabresto Lake for some fishing (no luck) on the way back to town via Questa.
Greenie Peak is not much of a challenge but parts of the trail are relatively slow going and I used low range quite a bit for the additional engine braking. The width of the truck was only an issue in a couple of places (good thing I brought my tree pruners!!). There were two places I had to turn around and I was very thankful the wheelbase was not any longer that it already is. The road up to Cabresto Lake (Forrest Access Road 134A) is pretty rough, but again, not much of a challenge.
Here is a trail description w/ GPS waypoints for Greenie Peak:
http://nm4w.org/WEBEJEEPIN/Trails/New_Mexico/Greenie_Peak.htm
Map location of Greenie Peak:
Greenie Peak - Google Maps
Map location of the Anchor Mine:
Anchor Mine - Google Maps
Map location of Cabresto Lake (end of Forrest Access Road 134A):
Cabresto Lake - Google Maps
On the way up to Greenie Peak (note the Red River Ski Area in the background):
At the Greenie Peak / Midnight Meadows road juncture:
Greenie Peak (note the ski area) Est. elevation 11,250 ft:
Midnight Meadows:
A different meadow on the way down to 134:
After we got back to Amarillo, I had a morning available to go to the Canadian River area. There are some wide open stretches where I was really able to open it up, but had to really be alert for beer bottles. The area had received a lot more rain than usual and the vegetation was really grown up and there were a lot more deep mud holes than I remember (mud is not my thing). I would have gone further in, but I didn't want to spend the effort trimming back trees / bushes or get my less than 2 month old truck scratched up. There were quite a few more ATV trails than I remember. Due to the increase in garbage (mainly beer bottles / cans), frequent underage drinking (while operating an ATV), frivolous new ATV trails and the numerous additional mud holes, I would not be surprised to see this area get shutdown at some point.
Map to the turnoff off of US-287 (the pointer is a little off):
Canadian River Flats turnoff - Google Maps
The Canadian River in the background:
The Canadian River in the background:
Here is an older pic of the area:
As a bonus, I was passed by this on the way into Houston:
I am not a Chrysler fan, but the ACR is AWESOME!!
I have put 3000 miles on in less than 2 months. This truck is a road trip machine. It is very quiet at speed, a very smooth ride and passing on two lane roads is effortless (not quite as effortless as the G8, but impressive nonetheless). Off-road capabilities were what I expected, but I am very thankful it is not longer or wider than it currently is (I think the SuperCrew Raptors will have some big issues with anything other than wide open terrain). This is a great jack of all trades vehicle. I am happy :thumbsup:
In the Red River area, I drove up to Greenie Peak, back down through the Midnight Meadows area to Forrest Access Road 134. We went east on 134 to the Anchor Mine. We took a side trip off of 134 up to Cabresto Lake for some fishing (no luck) on the way back to town via Questa.
Greenie Peak is not much of a challenge but parts of the trail are relatively slow going and I used low range quite a bit for the additional engine braking. The width of the truck was only an issue in a couple of places (good thing I brought my tree pruners!!). There were two places I had to turn around and I was very thankful the wheelbase was not any longer that it already is. The road up to Cabresto Lake (Forrest Access Road 134A) is pretty rough, but again, not much of a challenge.
Here is a trail description w/ GPS waypoints for Greenie Peak:
http://nm4w.org/WEBEJEEPIN/Trails/New_Mexico/Greenie_Peak.htm
Map location of Greenie Peak:
Greenie Peak - Google Maps
Map location of the Anchor Mine:
Anchor Mine - Google Maps
Map location of Cabresto Lake (end of Forrest Access Road 134A):
Cabresto Lake - Google Maps
On the way up to Greenie Peak (note the Red River Ski Area in the background):
At the Greenie Peak / Midnight Meadows road juncture:
Greenie Peak (note the ski area) Est. elevation 11,250 ft:
Midnight Meadows:
A different meadow on the way down to 134:
After we got back to Amarillo, I had a morning available to go to the Canadian River area. There are some wide open stretches where I was really able to open it up, but had to really be alert for beer bottles. The area had received a lot more rain than usual and the vegetation was really grown up and there were a lot more deep mud holes than I remember (mud is not my thing). I would have gone further in, but I didn't want to spend the effort trimming back trees / bushes or get my less than 2 month old truck scratched up. There were quite a few more ATV trails than I remember. Due to the increase in garbage (mainly beer bottles / cans), frequent underage drinking (while operating an ATV), frivolous new ATV trails and the numerous additional mud holes, I would not be surprised to see this area get shutdown at some point.
Map to the turnoff off of US-287 (the pointer is a little off):
Canadian River Flats turnoff - Google Maps
The Canadian River in the background:
The Canadian River in the background:
Here is an older pic of the area:
As a bonus, I was passed by this on the way into Houston:
I am not a Chrysler fan, but the ACR is AWESOME!!
I have put 3000 miles on in less than 2 months. This truck is a road trip machine. It is very quiet at speed, a very smooth ride and passing on two lane roads is effortless (not quite as effortless as the G8, but impressive nonetheless). Off-road capabilities were what I expected, but I am very thankful it is not longer or wider than it currently is (I think the SuperCrew Raptors will have some big issues with anything other than wide open terrain). This is a great jack of all trades vehicle. I am happy :thumbsup:
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