The old town of Folsom, NM was the starting point for the 2014 Outlaws Run. Once in town, and realizing the museum in Downtown Folsom, and our meet up spot was closed for the season, I started to figure out our next move. But as fate would have it, and while some of us was waiting for more of the gang to show up, we befriended not only staff from the museum, but the owners of the Folsom Hotel. Who kindly offered a tour of the old brick hotel, as well as a night camping on there family land. We meet up in the old town of Folsom, NM for the 2014 Outlaws Run. A place with quite an active Outlaw past. Pulling up to the museum in Downtown Folsom, our planned meet up for the run, I was bummed to find it closed for the season. I pondered the next move, but was quickly distracted as the gang started to trickle in. While hanging out at the closed museum, we’d end up befriending the lady’s that run it. Coming in on there day off to do paper work. They Kindly opened up the museum to us. It was also at this time that we befriended two brothers, owners of the Folsom Hotel. They graciously invited us over for a private tour of the old hotel. Visited by Outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, “Black Jack” Ketchum, Billy the Kid and Jesse James. It was a fitting way to start the run, topped off by the brothers inviting us to camp on the family ranch for the night.
For the rest of the run, we’d chase Outlaws across the Northern portion of NM. Ending in Colorado as a early winter storm set in.
Act 1: Folsom NM, Mills Canyon, Ocate and the Scenic drive to Toas.
Heading South to NM. Spanish Peaks in the Distance.
Crossing into NM. Near Emery Gap.
Folsom NM. With the gang starting to trickle in. We meat at the Museum in Downtown Folsom, NM.
Enjoying the afternoon sun while waiting for more of the gang to arrive.
Most of the crew. While Arriving in Folsom, i’d find that the museum was closed for the season, but a chance arrival of one of the workers there led us to have an off season visit.
Taking a stroll through Downtown Folsom.
The old Folsom Hotel.
While hanging out at the museum in Folsom, we befriended the owners of the Folsom Hotel, noted for hosting many Outlaws in its day. Including Butch Cassidy and some of his ” Wild Bunch”.
Around the Hotel.
A cool old poker table inside the Hotel.
Getting a tour of the upstairs.
After a tour of the Hotel in Folsom, the owners kindly offered there family ranch for us to camp for the night. It was a hard offer to refuse. Apparantly the cave that “Black Jack” Ketchum hid out in is located on there Ranch.
Being led to camp.
A fine spot for our first nights camp for the run. Located next to the Dry Cimarron River.
Evening sets in.
Always good around the campfire.
Morning stroll around camp.
Starting the drive out of the Ranch.
The Dry Cimarron River.
Views.
Some of the gang.
Ol’ Skelator.
Daniel couldn’t pass up a crossing of the Dry Cimarron River.
Dan S in his clean FJ60.
Gassing up in Des Moines, NM after some breakfast.
Freedom School.
Cutting across country south of Capulin, NM, making our way to Mills Canyon.
Bak on Pavement for a bit. In the Kiowa Grasslands, almost to Mills Canyon.
Dropping down into Mills Canyon.
Crossing the Canadian River down inside Mills Canyon.
A fine spot for lunch. Amongst the old Orchard farm planted by Marvin Mills.
Enjoying the warm fall day.
After lunch, a few of us went out exploring. We followed an old road along the Canadian River for a long time. It ultimately faded out within the thick brush. But was a fun afternoon drive.
Evening sets in as we head back to camp.
Sean got yet another flat with his Duratracks. Took multiple tire plugs, but held up till we were able to get back to town.
Another fine evening around the campfire. Originally had it planned to be at Mills Canyon just for lunch. But the country was just to good to pass up, along with having the canyon to ourselves.
Mills Canyon Hotel. Originally built by Marvin Mills.
Marvin Mills had quite the operation within the Canyon. Planting an Orchard Farm on the Canyon Floor.
Morning views of Mills Canyon from camp.
The road looked liked it goes through on the map. Felt bad telling the group no when they asked about it. Originally had it planned to camp near Cimarron, and not Mills canyon. Upon further reading, this old route looks to be the old wagon route that led to Marvin’s Hotel at the bottom of the Canyon. A good reason to get back and explore.
Overlooking Mills Canyon as we climb back out.
Back in the Kiowa Grasslands.
Back onto pavement for a bit as we head to Wagon Mound to top off the tank, then Ocate.
Almost to Wagon Mound, NM.
“Wagon Mound” in the distance.
The Turkey Mountains just outside of Wagon Mound, NM. The “Diamond A” ranch is nestled up against the base of the Turkey Mountains.
Try to get a group shot…. Thanks friends.
Ocate, NM.
Outside Ocate, NM. taking the back way over Ocate Mesa to Angle Fire, NM. The Fall Colors were fantastic.
A dreamy old homestead tucked into the Aspens. I could live there.
We had to stop to take in the views.
After some pavement to get to Angle Fire, we turned off a dirt road and aired back down. This would take us to Taos, NM.
Vibrant fall colors made for a fantastic afternoon drive.
Looked like a wonderful potential for a spot to camp, but the road was closed to motor vehicles.
Our views for the afternoon drive. Doesn’t get much better than this!
We stopped many, many times to enjoy the Aspens, and take pics.
Shawn C.
Dan S.
Just about perfect!
Act two: A morning exploring around the Rio Grande Gorge, the scenic way to Chama, NM, Steam Trains and a Stunning drive into a wintry Colorado.
Evening sets in over the Rio Grande Gorge.
Rio Grande Gorge.
Camp fire goodness.
A peaceful morning stroll around camp.
Morning light over the Sangre de Christo’s.
We spotted this guy walking across the road.
Found some fun dirt roads to play on for the morning.
It was here, as we played in the dunes, that some of the group tried to find a dirt track to Highway 64, while some of us ended up backtracking to get to 64. While crossing over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Shawn Cardinals FJ60 started making funny noises then died. Shawn made arrangements with the shop that Daniel was just at in Taos for his loose brake calipers. So at the Gorge, the group broke up, with some staying in town while the rest of us headed on to Chama NM, via 64. The scenic route.
We had to make a stop at the train yard in Chama, NM on our way to camp. Evening light was perfect.
A few trains were “warming up” in the Chama yard. Preparations for the next day.
Camp outside Antonito, CO.
The gang back together, minus Shawn’s 60 that was still being worked on at the shop in Taos, NM.
Around the Chama, NM train yard. #487.
Outlaws 2014 would be my first ride on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. It’s become something of a love affair:).
Our train ride begins. Chama, NM to Antonito, CO.
What was to be the theme for the day. Vibrant fall colors.
Working our way through the Chama Valley.
Fall colors.
Enjoying the nice fall day.
Fall colors seemed to be at there peak.
Doesn’t get much better than this.
“Windy Point”
A few fall cattle drives were going on the day we rode the Steam Train.
Blowing off steam and making our way into the Los Pinos Valley.
Doesn’t get much better than this:).
Coming into Osier. An old track maint. town. Also our lunch stop for the day.
Toltec Gorge.
Just perfect.
Making a stop at the old track maintenance town of Sublette, NM. Here, they stop to inspect the train.
Looking back at Sublette.
Getting closer to Antonito, CO.
The Outlaw crew acting like we were being robbed on the train.
Camp outside Antonito, CO.
Starting the drive over Stunner Pass. A fitting name.
Fall colors at there peak:).
Taking in the views:).
Group shot.
Lunch stop at Platoro Reservoir.
Stopped to check out an old miners cabin.
An early winter storm sets in as we make our way to Summitville.
The old town site of Summitville, CO.
End.