The Otero Mesa is a large expanse of BLM land approx. 1.2 million acres. The area sits in Southern Otero County in South Central NM. Myself and some others from various adventure travel sites got together for a weekend of exploration. Kirk and I stayed for the weekend and the others were just out for the day. Above are Sheryl and I, Kirk and Jose, all posied at the trailhead and getting ready to roll.
Shane and his Cherokee from Miitary Jeepers.
Kristin from Military Jeepers and Jose from Expedition NM.
Headed into the mesa on NM 506 from Hwy 54.
Once up on the mesa, we turned north toward and into the Southern Sacramento mountains. This area traversed several deep canyons as we made our way up into the mountains.
Once up on the mountains the road leveled off abit, but still continued to roll upwards.
We passed through the small town of Pinon, where we found pavement for a few miles. Once back on gravel we stopped to decide on lunch and a needed break. The wind was begining to pick up, so we pressed on to find a less exposed area.
We found a less windy canyon and and as luck would have it, a Geocash spot for Kirk, and a great little place to stop for lunch.
Kirk had scoped out a few Geocash spots along our planned route. We may have to look into this as it ads another sense of adventure as well as added fun to traveling.
As we headed south, the scenery began to change from the higher mountains to the desert foothills. It was bcoming time to start looking for a camp site. It was also time for Jose to leave us so he headed back toward home as we scoped out a good area to camp.
We found a nice dead end road off our main route, at the end of the road was a cattle watering area, nicely graded, with a large water tank we could use as a wind break. Camp was set up and Sheryl began a great dinner of smoked sausage w/peppers and fried potatos.
Kirks trailer and roof top tent.
The evening brought a beautiful sunset. This view is looking east toward the Guadalupe mountains with sunset creating a nice soft orange glow to the mountains.
Looking west, we were camped in a horse shoe like area, surrounded by the foothills on three sides.
Of course what in camping without a roaring campfire. The wind was picking up and temps were dropping, but the fire and good company made it all bearable.
The following morning bought clear skies and colder temps as we packed up and got ready to head out of the foot hills and back onto the mesa.
For such a desolate area there are many small ranches scattered throughout the area as well as many old corrals.
Out of the foothills and back on the mesa. Miles and miles of roads out here to explore.
One of our destinations for the trip was the Cornudas Mountains along the TX/NM State line.
We made it into the mountain range where we found a small lake, we stopped for a break and found the wind had picked up tremendously. The wind had become very cold and biting so we decided to call it a day and head for home since our adventure was coming to a close anyway. We'll head back out a explore this area during better weather.
We turned our vehicles north into the mesa and back toward the trailhead. It was a great weekend of exploring and meeting new friends. This is what traveling is all about so until next time, keep lovin your life as we do ours.
The Otero Mesa is a large expanse of BLM land approx. 1.2 million acres. The area sits in Southern Otero County in South Central NM. Myself and some others from various adventure travel sites got together for a weekend of exploration. Kirk and I stayed for the weekend and the others were just out for the day. Above are Sheryl and I, Kirk and Jose, all posied at the trailhead and getting ready to roll.
Shane and his Cherokee from Miitary Jeepers.
Kristin from Military Jeepers and Jose from Expedition NM.
Headed into the mesa on NM 506 from Hwy 54.
Once up on the mesa, we turned north toward and into the Southern Sacramento mountains. This area traversed several deep canyons as we made our way up into the mountains.
Once up on the mountains the road leveled off abit, but still continued to roll upwards.
We passed through the small town of Pinon, where we found pavement for a few miles. Once back on gravel we stopped to decide on lunch and a needed break. The wind was begining to pick up, so we pressed on to find a less exposed area.
We found a less windy canyon and and as luck would have it, a Geocash spot for Kirk, and a great little place to stop for lunch.
Kirk had scoped out a few Geocash spots along our planned route. We may have to look into this as it ads another sense of adventure as well as added fun to traveling.
As we headed south, the scenery began to change from the higher mountains to the desert foothills. It was bcoming time to start looking for a camp site. It was also time for Jose to leave us so he headed back toward home as we scoped out a good area to camp.
We found a nice dead end road off our main route, at the end of the road was a cattle watering area, nicely graded, with a large water tank we could use as a wind break. Camp was set up and Sheryl began a great dinner of smoked sausage w/peppers and fried potatos.
Kirks trailer and roof top tent.
The evening brought a beautiful sunset. This view is looking east toward the Guadalupe mountains with sunset creating a nice soft orange glow to the mountains.
Looking west, we were camped in a horse shoe like area, surrounded by the foothills on three sides.
Of course what in camping without a roaring campfire. The wind was picking up and temps were dropping, but the fire and good company made it all bearable.
The following morning bought clear skies and colder temps as we packed up and got ready to head out of the foot hills and back onto the mesa.
For such a desolate area there are many small ranches scattered throughout the area as well as many old corrals.
Out of the foothills and back on the mesa. Miles and miles of roads out here to explore.
One of our destinations for the trip was the Cornudas Mountains along the TX/NM State line.
We made it into the mountain range where we found a small lake, we stopped for a break and found the wind had picked up tremendously. The wind had become very cold and biting so we decided to call it a day and head for home since our adventure was coming to a close anyway. We'll head back out a explore this area during better weather.
We turned our vehicles north into the mesa and back toward the trailhead. It was a great weekend of exploring and meeting new friends. This is what traveling is all about so until next time, keep lovin your life as we do ours.
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