Valle Vidal - Eagle Nest, New Mexico

Today the weekly excursion was the Valle Vidal area of the Carson National Forest. Jerry and Charlene offered to let us, along with Larry and Mollie, ride with them on the tour. We entered the Valle Vidal just east of Cimarron. We had not been driving very long when we spotted a bear in the distance. We stopped for a picnic lunch, then hiked about 1/2 mile to the old Ring Ranch. The Ring Ranch was home to a family with seven daughters in the late 1800s. The property is now owned by the federal government and used by the Philmont Scout Ranch as a resupply depot for treks hiking the Valle Vidal.

The old Ring Ranch

View of Baldy Peak from the Ring Ranch

Our next stop was Windy Gap (elevation 9,265'), where you get a great view of the Valle Vidal.


We drove onto Shuree Ponds, where two-years ago we photographed a bear around the ponds. There were no bears this year...just a few fishermen. Larry decided to try with is fishing pole and caught a 16" rainbow trout.

Costilla Creek

On the way back to the campground we stopped at a Mexican restaurant in Questa for some good food and conversation. It was a great day and good times were had by all!