Trip to Cool Off, Then to Dry Out.

[Adrian W]

After an endless summer of set backs, such as Lincoln Nat'l Forest being closed due to drought conditions, fires in other parts of the state, family obligations, we were able to go camping in our Scamp. We did week camping up to the mountains to cool down and then 3 days down into the desert to dry out. We stayed a week in Cloudcroft camping, then two days at the Valley of Fires BLM Area near Carrizozo in Southern New Mexico. Plus a day to drive home and unload.

Ten Day Trip End of August - Early Sept

It has cooled down nicely since we left, only 91 degree high today. Nice and cool tonight. Should be cooler tomorrow.

The campground is on a sandstone ridge which was not over run by lava, an island called a Kipuka in a sea or harden lava. The lava is olivine basalt, similar to Hawaiian lava flows. There were several Pull Through Type Loops, some back into sites, some tent sites down closer to the lava flow.



View From the Top of a Rocky Mount about 3/4-way in the campground, which is on a high ridge looking down onto the lava flow, looking north to US 380.


View South from the Mount, Lower area with Tent Sites.


The Rocky Lookout Mount.


View from the Lava Flow Trail.

Valley of Fires BLM Campground is the best BLM campground we have seen in New Mexico. Better shower house than some of the State Parks and some water & electric sites as well. Cost not bad as well, especially with a Senior Pass...1/2 off.

We were on the first loop/pull through after the handicapped accessible Sign by the shelter where the trail takes the first turn. Trail Map.....also over head shot of campground.

More information on the area.