The Gorge Begins in Colorado

Unbeknownst to many the Rio Grande Gorge starts in Colorado about 6 miles north of the New Mexico border. It is typically considered to begin at the Lobato Bridge (AKA Stateline Bridge, Costilla Crossing), a beautifully restored 1890's steel girder and wood bridge leaping across the still broad river before it funnels into the Gorge.

Twin Peaks Hike

There are two black pyramid-like hills that have been beckoning me since I first visited the Gorge in February.  Today I announced to my son, "We're gonna climb those peaks."  He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Okay" in keeping with his easy going nature.

Fording the river at 400 cfs was a bit trickier than I imagined.  We had learned from previous crossings to avoid the narrower rocky rapid part as the water becomes swift and scary.  We made it across and while making our way downstream encountered a large beaver lodge wedged between a massive basalt boulder and the west gorge wall. This was no doubt the very large beaver I had seen swimming about several weeks before. I envisioned angry beaver teeth emerging and gnawing my shin bone as we went over the lodge hearing splashing and smelling musk.  We crossed over without incident.

The next leg of our journey was a game trail (antelope?) that utilized a ramp like structure for descending and ascendinf the 100 foot gorge.

We removed our life jackets and water shoes and climbed up to the baking desert plateau of the BLM.

As we trudged the two miles in a beeline fashion toward the hills, I coached my son on rattlesnake etiquette, hydration, and noting landmarks for the return trip.

When we reached the base an hour later I had this strange notion that I was a patriarch leading his son to the top of a desert mountain in the Holy Land (This part of Colorado can do that to you).  On this particular "mountain" the Lord provided swarms of gnats, piles of droppings from some rock rodent and an incredible view of the Taos Plateau and San Luis Valley.  There were windshelters made of volcanic rock on both peaks erected by some unknown party. Like us, they too were drawn to these distinctive black hills.

The Perilous Flight of the Airstream

Managed to get the 1969  Airstream to the Gorge Property after two hard days of laying flooring and rivetting patches on the roof where various pipes and vents once stood.  We are looking at making the 20 ft Overlander an 8 person bunk house.  This will take some doing.  It will be a bounce house after shoehorning all those air mattresses in there.

A Hermit's paradise

Guess I always wanted a place at the end of the world and this place is pretty damn close.  My companions are lichens, strange beetles, vultures, wrens and lowlying  needle happy cacti.  A hermit's paradise to be sure.

River Gorge Withdrawal

So I am going through gorge withdrawals.  My work schedule is preventing me from going out to the property.  I follow the weather at Jaroso and Antonito.  I look at the cfs readings at Lovato bridge.  All this-a poor substitute for being there, hearing the river and flilling my hands with the needles from the innumerable cactus growing there.  I want to chisel rock and forge a pathway to the bottom that even my wife would take with no reservations. Counting the days.

Anchors in along the trail to the bottom

Brought out the new generator, my old cheapo Black and Decker hammer drill and some Bosch bits and gave it a shot. Worked like a charm.  Put in eight climbing anchors:  two at the top of the last steep climb to the bottom and six along the ledge like sections of the trail down.  Tried out my Black Diamon belay and marmot climbing rope.  Took a bit.  But got myself and two kids down safely.

The river has been reduced from 420 to 120 cfs.  Noticeably lower but even at shin deep it's swiftness made staying on one's feet a challenge.  Found some warm black volcanic boulders on the BLM side conducive to lounging.  Heartened to see little minnows swimming around although they could be tadpoles for all I know.  Have not seen any large fish in the river here thoughit is  virtually   transparent at certain times of day. 

Insanse wind

Wow.  The secret to a treeless plain has been discovered.  That wind is 35 mph and constant.  The Rio Grande looks like it is flowing backward.  There are whitecaps.  Must consider this SW wind when designing the roof and windows or they will blow out or off.