February 2, 2015 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

JANUARY 2015 WORKDAY SUCCESS

We had a PHENOMENAL work day last Saturday! We ended up with 24 volunteers (including two Forest Service representatives) so we got a lot accomplished!

We worked on the Clarke private property (through which we have a legal easement in place for public access) down at the mouth of Laborcita Canyon outside La Luz.
We filled most (not all) of the holes caused by the old water line failures.
Cleaned rocks and weeds from most of the rail bed (though there’s more to do).
We worked on most of the old wood culverts — cleaning out the input sides — we have more to do with those.
MAJOR IMPROVEMENT: We routed the rail bed around one of the more dangerous spots near the end of the property.

MORE TO DO IN THE FUTURE

More tree and culvert prep (amongst other various tasks)
The entire south side of the rail bed needs to be ditched for erosion control
Other moderately dangerous area (more holes) will need some serious work

Thanks everyone for coming out!

Culvert work

Cleaning up the rail bed!

Tread work

As always, we’ve got many more photos! Check them out on our official Flickr page!

January 21, 2015 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

Work Day – Jan 24th!

It’s a new year and after taking December off we’re back in action with some NEW projects!

What we’ll be doing

To start the new year we’ll be working on two pieces of privately owned lands at the mouth of Labrocita Canyon just above La Luz.

The original railed runs through these two properties (we have easements in place with the owners of the land, so we’re all legal for public access) and we’ll be taking on the task of transforming the original rail bed into a usable hiking trail where needed. A lot of the rail bed is in pretty decent shape, but a lot is not. We have some major work ahead of us in the months to come. We’ll be coordinating with the city and Forest Service and, as always, the Forest Service will be providing us with support.

Be sure and bring your own drinking water, sun protection, work gloves and study boots. As always there will be work for all skill level and ages.

When/Where: Saturday, January 24th, 2015. Meet at 9am and we’ll work until noon.

Directions to the La Luz Creek area where we’ll start from the main intersection in La Luz (click this link for a Google map)

Driving Directions

Drive to the center of La Luz (the three-way intersection of La Luz Road/Main Street and Alamo Street) and then do EITHER of the following:

– Drive south about 50 feet and turn east on to Section Road.
– Travel east on Section Road 1.1 miles to just before you cross La Luz Creek… YOU ARE THERE! Park along the side of the road.

– Drive north on Main Street (leave La Luz) about 1.9 miles and turn east onto Labrocita Canyon Road.
– Travel 1.4 miles up Labrocita Cayon Road to the cut off that crosses La Luz Creek (south side of the road).
– Cross the creek… YOU ARE THERE! Park along the side of the road.

Thanks!

If you need any additional information, please call 575-434-1949 (ask for Grady) or e-mail nmrailtrails@gmail.com

May 22, 2014 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

National Trails Day – New Trail segment ribbon cutting!

Inaugural Opening…Shortcut to the Mexican Canyon Trestle.

On Saturday, June 7, National Trails Day, our New Mexico Rails to Trails Association will host the inaugural opening and ribbon cutting of a section of the original rail road bed previously unavailable to the public. This pristine 800 foot stretch of rail-trail is located just up-trail from the Mexican Canyon Trestle, and contains is own trestle and a beautiful, quaint cabin. Gates will open at 9 am, with a short ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 am, and close at 4 pm. Displays and refreshments will be available. This shortcut will only be open to the public on select days during the summer/fall season.

Access to the new section is about 1/2 miles down-trail from the Trestle Recreation area using Forest Service Trails 5001B/5001. The Rec Area is immediately west of Cloudcroft. Signs will be posted. An alternate access is also available via Little Mexican Canyon Road located at the Highway 82 entrance to the Rec Area. This access is also walk in only-no vehicles allowed, and the road is very steep (even steeper on the way back!). And there is no public parking in the immediate area.

Dr. Bonnie Brooks, who has a tremendous affection for the area, recently granted property to the New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association as part of a life estate deed. The new shortcut is on this generously donated land. Dr. Brooks will be at the ribbon-cutting. NMRTA is preparing the area for visitors to enjoy on June 7th, and is particularly working hard to complete construction of “Bonnie’s Bridge”, a small bypass footbridge that will allow visitors to view the features of the railroad trestle that is no longer safe for public use.