New Mexico Article & Photos by Bradley F. Koetting
W
hen I crossed the New Mexico state line I had two very specific goals in mind. First and foremost
was escaping the stifling Texas heat at all cost, and second, find and ride some of the hundreds of miles of ATV trails in the southern New Mexico high country. With no particular destination in mind, I climbed my way up out of the Chihuahuan Desert of Far West Texas slowly ascending the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains – a mountain range stretching some 85 miles across the rugged south-central New Mexico landscape.
After creeping-up the beautifully desolate expanse of a 3,500 foot ascent, I found myself surrounded by the high reaching Ponderosa Pines of the Lincoln National Forest – a protected area spanning over 1,700 square miles and named after America’s 16th
I pulled-up the rocky driveway and parked in front of a group of roaring grizzlies. Fortunately, these bears weren’t the four-legged furry man- eaters, these were bears more to my liking – pure Yamaha.
president. The
Lincoln National Forest is also the birthplace of Smokey Bear, once referred to as “Hotfoot Teddy”, the original black Bear cub rescued from a 1950 wildfire that destroyed 17,000 acres of the Lincoln National Forest.
Blink once at the wrong time and you might just miss out on the gigantic joys of the tiny town of Timberon, New Mexico. At an elevation of just over 7,000 feet, Timberon is quietly cradled in a dynamically forested canyon just 31 miles south of the ski village of Cloudcroft. I don’t know if it was divine destiny or just sheer luck, but the first indication of life that I saw was a sign on the roadside that read, “Sacramento Mountain ATV.” There wasn’t much else around, save the post office and a hunting lodge. The only sound being that of the wind through the pines – an event which inspired the name of one of New Mexico’s premier ski resort towns, Ruidoso, just an hour and a half drive from Timberon.
Jeremy McMahon, owner of Sacramento Mountain ATV, was briefing a group of folks from Argentina on the intricacies of handling these 4-wheeled beasts in extremely challenging terrain. This was music to my ears and after explaining to McMahon that I was hoping to tag along, I suited-up, saddled-up and off we rode. Timberon offers trails for both the slow-moving sightseer as well as trails that will challenge even the most proven rider. From the Sacramento River we traversed the rocky trails leading up to Sacramento Peak. At an elevation of 9,262 feet, one can look out over the Tularosa Basin and further beyond to White Sands Missile Range, the largest military installation in the United States and birthplace of the atomic bomb.
After stopping to drink from a spring- fed waterfall, we made our way to the southern edge of the canyon for some stunning interstate views. From our perch atop a rocky southern precipice, I looked out over the very foothills which had brought me here. From my vantage point I recalled the suffocating heat of the desert but I no longer felt it. The midday air was crisp and clean and most important, pleasantly cool. Further south stood the sprawling Guadalupe Mountain range stretching across the Texas-New Mexico border and peaking at 8,751 feet – the highest point in Texas. The day ended atop Hornbuckle Road with a fiery orange sun setting over the Organ Mountains, the western most boundary of White Sands Missile Range.
Beyond the wide variety of trails and fresh mountain air, Timberon offers other pleasantries to those who seek the serenity and pleasing climate of this high country refuge. A
testing nine-hole golf course requires both accurate distance and Zen-like patience. With amazing views and freshwater fishing ponds spotted throughout the canyon it’s all but impossible to let a bad day on the golf course dampen your spirit while in Timberon.
I met-up with McMahon later that
night at Timberon’s one and only watering hole, The High Country Lounge, which serves this bustling community of 300 eclectics as the 19th
hole, a restaurant, and
the venue for the infamously blood- curdling event of Saturday night karaoke. Originally, my visit to Timberon was to last no more than a few days. After two years I’m still here. It’s tough to leave a place with an average mid-summer
temperature of 72.50 degrees Fahrenheit. The Land of Enchantment is also home to historical legends such as Billy the Kid, Geronimo and the 13,500 year old Clovis points, an Indian spear head first discovered in New Mexico. There’s lots to see here and it’s best
seen atop an ATV. Keep in mind that even though this place is a serene and boundless area of unobstructed beauty, it can turn deadly in an instant. This land shows no mercy to those who carelessly disrespect it.
It would behoove all trail-riding thrill seekers to ride with a knowledgeable, highly qualified guide. In the southern New Mexico high country that guide’s name is Jeremy McMahon and the name of his business is Sacramento Mountain ATV. For more information or to make reservations call Jeremy at 575-987-2516 or visit his website at
www.sacramentomountainatv.com. Beat the summer heat while enjoying the ride of your life. Timberon, New Mexico is a small community yielding large rewards to those brave souls who choose to test it. It’s a place where a short weekend trip might just might end up becoming your next home.
26 S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE - AUGUST 2011 -
www.SS-OffRoadMagazine.com
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