Scouting the Rio Grande Gorge

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Geo: 36.2699, -105.783

Scouting the Rio Grande Gorge for campsites and future kayak opportunities

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/taos/orilla_verde.html

After a night of fun and dancing in Taos, we headed out to the Rio Grande to see what the campsites were like and also check out the river. Because the state of New Mexico is still in drought conditions, the river is really low and even looked bony in some places.

Neither one of us were quite up to kayaking (feeling kinda lazy) so just drove along the edge of the river and checked out the campsites and decided to camp at Arroyo Hondo campsite. We got a campsite that looked out over the river and up to the mountains above the river. Beautiful view.

These are primitive in that there is no running water or flush toilets but the price was right........because we are seniors, only $5.00! We were blessed with a little rain after lunch. We watched as two girls were sent off from the shore of our campground on surfboards. They were poling standing up on them. Evidently this is a new rage in water sports.

We met the people who were also camping at this campsite and had some interesting conversations and enjoyed the campfire that Mike had built at his campsite.

The next morning we drove to the Pilar store and checked out what it would take to be shuttled up to the Taos Bridge and leave your car at the take-out point. Their price was $20.

Decided to think about it and headed for home.

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Photos

Camping on the Rio Grande near Taos
some of people on the river

Camping on the Rio Grande near Taos
you can see how low the water is in places as you ride along

Camping on the Rio Grande near Taos
people getting ready to do the racecourse part of the river

Camping on the Rio Grande near Taos
dog getting ready to do the racecourse