Having missed last years Train Trip due to dry conditions (they didn’t run the train in June of last year), it was really fun to be back. We had a full group for this years run. Think we had a total of around 12 rigs for the weekend? This run is always layed back. Heck, the train doesn’t leave the yard till 10am. Gives me time to catch the sunrise, then back to bed. To start, we chased the train out of Chama, though this years we weren’t able to chase the train via Apache Canyon to Osier since the trail was blocked by snow mid June. This year for the train ride, the docent we had was hands down the best- thanks Rich for making the day even better! For the last day, we chased the train out of Antonito. Starting at Hangmans Trestle. Was great to cover some new ground along the Cumbres and Toltec. Lava Tank has intrigued me for some time. After Lava, we headed back to camp, the chased the train from Sublette to Big Horn in the afternoon.

Such a great time this year riding and chasing the Cumbres and Toltec!

A great old homestead outside of Mesita. Ute Mountain in the distance.

A wonderfully moody drive through Mesita.

Ute Mountain.

Love this old single lane bridge over the Rio Grande.

Camp for the next few nights. Doesn’t get much better.

Evening sets in. Always love watching the sunset/sunrise from camp.

Sangre de Christos in the distance.

Wild Iris. They were popping this year

Mornings warmth.

484 in the Chama train yard.

So begins the chase out of Chama:).

Lobato. A few movies were filmed here… More Wild Iris.

Working through the Chama Valley.

Group shot as #484 passes by.

#484 on Windy Point.

Sadly, our route through Apache Canyon was still blocked by snow in mid June.

#484 coming into the Lo Pinos Valley.

Since we couldn’t make our usual spot along the Los Pinos River for lunch, we pulled off on a dirt road close to La Manga Pass (10,230ft) and stopped at a nice camp.

#463 stopes at the old track maintenance town of Sublette.

Brian and Mike soaking in the afternoon sun. Yeah Summer:)

Blanca in the distance.

Mogote Peak.

A fine summer day for a train ride:).

Working our way through the Chama Valley.

My pal Ross chased our train the whole day in his nicely built 100 series Land Cruiser.

Ige taking pics as we climb to windy point.

Great views of the Chama Valley.

Ross and Nelda.

Coming into the Los Pinos Valley.

A high flowing Rio de Los Pinos.

We spotted a herd of Elk while on the train. Note the little ones. They crossed the river shortly after this pic.

Coming into Osier.

Jack and Sarah got to check out #484 while at Osier.

After lunch, we started making our way to Antonito. Passing through more great country.

Toltec Gorge.

Jack and Sarah.

Passing through mud tunnel.

Brian soaking it the views.

San Antonio Mountain.

Big Horn Peak.

Coming into the San Luis Valley.

Lava Tank.

Enter Colorado.

A fine way to spend a summer day.

Ross chasing our train into Antonito.

Another fine summer evening sets in.

Campfire with good friends. Doesn’t get much better then this.

Suns warmth over Blanca.

#463 waits to depart the Antonito yard.

Brian watches on while #463 makes slow progress out of Antonito.

The gang at Hangmans Trestle.

Making our way to Lava Tank.

A new to me National Monument that we passed through.

Lava Tank in the distance.

Lava Tank.

Corbet checking to see if the train is close by. We ended up missing it.

Making our way to Big Horn.

Weather set in for a bit.

Rain cleared in time for us to take in some views.

Dropping down to Big Horn Wye.

Brian and his nicely restored LJ70 Land Cruiser.

Sublette, NM.

Hanging with the locals in Sublette.

Since we missed making the train into Osier, we did an after noon chase of the train coming into Antonito. Made it to Big Horn Wye as the train was heading back to Antonito.

Even spotted some white Iiris!

Last sunset from camp.

Las Mesitas.

Stopped in San Luis on the drive hone to stretch the legs and wake up.

Stations of the Cross.