The Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Release

The Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Release was a big event. Diego, from Taos, with his two sons and their cousin came. Katie, a high school teacher from Angel Fire came with her family to be a part of this annual release. People from Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Las Cruces, Raton and many other places were there. Game Warden Jordan Mitchell came from Cimarron and was surprised by the large turnout of people. Jordan said, “I believe it is because it was advertised on Facebook.” Some estimates said 250 participants, New Mexico Game and Fish were quoted as saying “more than 100 people showed up to do the 800-foot climb to release ten thousand fingerling trout”. People started arriving before 9 A.M. There was a ribbon of cars traveling on NM Highway 378 to the La Junta Campground to participate.

Volunteers packed down one of the many Wild River trails near Questa, NM. They carried 2-4 gallons of water with 50-150 trout in plastic bags. The trails vary in length from 1/2 to 1-1/2 miles and can be challenging. Most of the trails are well maintained but can be steep at places. The hike down, stocking, and hike back up takes about 3-4 hours. Volunteers are asked to bring good hiking boots, sunscreen, drinking water, hat, lunch, backpack, and of course your fishing gear (March can be a great time to fish the Rio). New Mexico game and Fish provides the bags, water, and fish.

The truck carrying fish arrived after 10 A.M. from Seven Springs Hatchery near Fenton Lake. Lawrence Dalessandro, a cold-water fish biologist, from Santa Fe was in charge of this event. He explained how to temper the fish so they would acclimate to the water in the Rio Grande. I heard one man whisper to his friend, “I raise tropical fish and water temperature is critical to their survival.”

Dalessandro placed the plastic bag in the river for 20 minutes, which allowed the water temperatures in the bag and the outside water time to equalize. Then, he allowed a little water to enter the bag. If none of the fingerlings turned belly up he let in more water. After a few more times he let a few of the fingerlings escape. When there were no apparent signs of distress in the freed fish, he opened the bag allowing the fingerlings to swim away. All in all, it took 30 minutes to release the fingerlings, not counting the trip up and down the gorge. Only ten percent of the released fish will survive which is about the same as the fish born in the wild.

Wild Rivers Superintendent Teddy Lucero said that the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act passed in 1968 which makes the recreation area 50 years old. There will be several activities this summer to celebrate its 50th anniversary. On March 25, 2018, The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument turned 5 years old.

Rio Grand del Norte National Monument--Wild River

This is a hidden secret area that few bikers have found. There are many miles of single and two track.

Book Review

Book Review: Arson in the Colony: Will and Stacie, Volume 1

By Oak Blackheart

 

Will and Stacie are two adolescents growing up in the late 50’s and early 60’s in Southeastern Oklahoma. The two would-be detectives ride bicycles just as cowboys ride horses. 

 

Arson in the Colony: Will and Stacie, Volume 1 is the first in a series. Will’s family moved to rural Oklahoma and Will and Stacie become instant friends. Houses in the area are being looted and burned. Stacie is almost manic to solve the mystery and Will is committed to the adventure. The two face many challenges where they have to use their ingenuity to solve the dangers they face from a rising creek to being captured and held as prisoners.

 

It is a delightful story of friends growing up. The story is a simple mystery enjoyed by girls and boys eight to eighty. Oak Blackheart, a teacher, wrote stories for students to read. There are seven stories in all which can be purchased as ebooks and paperbacks on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. 

www.bn.com  or www.amazon.com

Wild Rivers

Wild Rivers Recreation Area—Rio Grande del Norte National Monument 

by Oak Blackheart

The National Monument is a hidden secret for hikers, runners or mountain bikers. It is a paradise for anyone who wants to be outdoors. There are single trails and two track trails for the adventurers to enjoy. Many of the trails are listed on MTB Projects, a free app for smartphones which show trails all over the world sponsored by REI CO-OP.

The Vista de Questa has been around for awhile. There are also new trails Arroyo Diablo, Lower Arroyo Diablo and Loco. Obscure rebar markers guide the way to the trails: green, yellow red and orange painted rebar markers guide the way respectively. The trails are connected by TP (Taos Plateau) for example TP 244. The TP trails are two tracks. Some are marked with signs such as TP 242. Other trails are shown with numbers on MTB Projects. The Hidden Trail is an old logging road that you can find with the app which is a nice trail for beginning mountain bikers to ride.  

Maps of the area can be found in a skip-out shortly after the Bear Crossing Trail on the NM Highway 378 that also list the rules, or you can go to the Visitors Center. Teddy Lucero is the Superintendent of this BLM area. Tim Long is the Ranger. There are also volunteers to help you. The summer hours at the center are 10:00-4:00 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter hours are 10:00-4:00 Thursday-Sunday. Books, maps, clothing etc. can be purchased at the visitor center. Some areas if you park a car for more than thirty minutes there is a $3.00 user fee.

You can hike down 800 feet into the Rio Grande Gorge, or you can hike or ride a mountain bike from Sheep Crossing to Ute Mountain. There are toilets in the various campgrounds. Sheep Crossing is for day use and has toilets. From Sheep Crossing you can hike or ride a 5 mile loop of one of the prettiest areas in the monument on Loco and come back along Arroyo Diablo. These two trails have some steep and rocky parts. Mountain bikers are excited about these new single track trails.

This is a mountainous area so many of the trails are difficult. Arroyo Diablo (TP 244F) is difficult and many bikers port their bike up a portion of the trail. But, it is the easiest way to climb up to the Guadalupe Valley.

Bears, foxes, coyotes, deer and elk as well as big horn sheep and other wildlife can be seen by the stealthy adventurers. Bobcat tracks and sometimes even mountain lion tracks are found. 

This is a wonderful area with something for everyone. It is wise to tell friends and family where you are going in case of accidents. Be sure to carry water and snacks as the seasons are changing.

There are a few rulers to remember. Hikers have the right away. Be mindful of horses on the trail. Horses are bigger than you. Uphill has the right of way downhillers yield. Have fun, leave only tracks and take only pictures. The monument is a great place to enjoy.