A bunch of years ago, NM4W used to do a New Year's camp-out down at Gordy's Hill. I'm a wimp and whine in the cold, so winter camping ain't my thing. I want to bring back the wheeling tradition, though, so here goes -> Revamped New Year's Day Run @ Gordy's Hill 1.0!
Gordy's Hill is the everyday name for part of the Quebradas Backcountry Byway, which NM4W has partnered with Socorro BLM to protect & promote. It is a fun play area close to home, with great views and fun wheeling. It gets toasty down there in the summer, so winter is the time to hit those trails!
Did you know that Gordy's HIll is named for Gordy Hicks, Mayor Pro Tem of Socorro?!? Pretty cool!
We will meet around back at the Roadrunner Travel Center (aka Marathon gas station) in Lemitar at 8:00 a.m. Driver's Meeting at 8:15. We will depart for the kiosk at 8:30.
Trailered rigs welcome and can unload either at Lemitar or out at the kiosk.
We will air down at the kiosk staging area, and aim to hit the trails by 9:15 - 9:30.
15 rig maximum, so sign up early.
Potential trails are listed below. I will fine tune the trails to be run that day as I see who signs up. I will be checking Profiles and rigs. You can check my Profile to see my rig. Please note particular trails you'd like to run in your Comment.
Fair warning - this run will tackle trails rated Level 5 - 7. We will use 3's & 4's to connect to harder trails. I want to play on big rocks and have things to climb and get over & around. These trails are interconnected and can be run in loops, so if we find something we like, we can go around and do it again. Or we can move on to another trail and tackle new things. We will take on 2 - 3' rock ledges, boulder gardens, shale hill climbs, off-camber areas, sand, and more.
Newbie off-roaders: this may not be the run for you. Please contact me so I can assess your skills and your sense of adventure or thrill-seeking. While a sense of adventure and thrill seeking is good, caution and experience are often better.
Moderate skill drivers: this could be a good time to build some skills. Again, if you are not sure, please contact me and I will talk you through what skills you need to have going into the day, and what skills you might work on as we go.
Pinstripping guaranteed. While we will provide spotting and hope to avoid body damage, well, it's a thing in our sport. Personally, I'm actively trying to scrape by a giant boulder and tear off my stock fender flares on a trail so I can feel more justified getting the after-market ones I really want. The passenger rear one seems to be the most likely thus far, so you may see me plan my lines accordingly, LOL. :-)
This run will not be appropriate for stock rigs.
This run will not be appropriate for full-size trucks.
Minimum Requirements & Recommended Requirements:
2" lift minimum/3" or higher recommended
35" tires minimum/37" or larger recommended
rear locker minimum/dual lockers recommended
winch required
front & rear recovery points required
Air down/air up capability (I have a spare compressor I can loan out)
GMRS radios (I have two spare handhelds I can loan out)
Rigs must be in good mechanical condition - this is not a fun place to break down.
Please refer to the NM4W 4x4 Run Preparation List for further guidance. https://nm4w.org/docs/?do_id=261
We will have lunch on the trail, so bring chairs and munchies. Even in the winter, it is easy to get dehydrated in the desert, so don't forget water. Unless it is an all-out blizzard, we will go that day - dress in layers for both cold wind and warm sunshine. Kids and fur babies welcome.
We will aim for airing up by about 4:00 p.m.
If there is interest in more trails than we can run on this day, I will plan a follow-up run in the spring so we can return and play on the rest of them!
Re Guns: While I respect your right to carry a firearm, please understand that I am a survivor of suicide by 9mm. I will carry PTSD from that event every day for the rest of my life. If you feel the need to bring a firearm along, please keep it concealed or left in your vehicle. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Potential trails/To be used as connector trails to the harder ones:
Lower Arroyo de Los Pinos (Level 3)
Arroyo de Los Pinos Loop (Level 4)
Upper Arroyo de Los Pinos (Level 4)
We will definitely do one or more of these:
Coyote Canyon (Level 6 Mandatory/7 Optional)
Pucker Falls (Level 6 Mandatory/10 Optional)
Happy Trails!
Mary
For more information on this Ride use the
link above to contact Mary with any questions.If you wish to go, be sure to fill out an Application Form to add youself as a potential NM4W member.
Be sure to have a look at our Trail Ratings information to know what you are in for.
You can also use our Photo Gallery to Search for photos from prior rides to this area.
NOTE: NM4W requires all ride attendees, including passengers, to sign a 'Release of Liability' waiver.
After you submit an Application Form, you can e-sign the waiver online before the ride.