Back in Gallina

Today we decided to drive back to Gallina and get the two boxes that we missed because of rain a few days ago. We left the house around 7:30am and made the beautiful drive up US285, US84 and NM96. It took us about two hours to get to our destination. We turned off NM96 onto FR103 and parked a short distance up the road at the Continental Divide Trail.

So the clues to the first box had us head west on the trail. We walked for about a mile and a quarter and found the landmark we needed - two carins with a log between them on the left side of the trail. From there we followed the rest of the clues and found Second Saturday Seekers: S.C Shade by Dragon D's. I found a spot to sit so I could stamp in. Once done I replaced the box and we headed back the way we came. The hike was beautiful. Lots of wildflowers, especially lupine. The weather was also great - clear skies with a breeze, just perfect. We arrived back at the car and then headed out for the next box.

The next box was on FR76 and we had passed this road when we turned off NM96 onto FR103. So we just assumed and drove the one and a half miles to a two track road on the left side. We parked and hiked up the road only to have it peter out in a short distance. We looked around but nothing made sense and there wasn't anywhere to go, so we returned to the car. Then we left the car where we were parked and walked back along FR76 to another two track road we saw. This road went further and we did see some of the landmarks but then it didn't make sense and we didn't find the box. So we returned to the car and drove back to the beginning of FR76 and tried the mileage again - it took us to the same area. So then Thomas read the clues and noticed the first part of the clue said to turn onto FR76 around mile marker 17 in Gallina. Well, we had turned off of NM96 onto FR103 at mile marker 23 for the first box and just noticed that there was FR76 off of FR103 right there. Needless to say, WRONG spot! So we got back on NM96 and drove through Gallina to mile marker 17 and low and behold there was another turn for FR76. So we drove along FR76 for the one and a half miles and we arrived at a very clear dirt road heading up the hill. So we parked, gathered our things and headed up, and up and up. The clues stated to pass through a grove of pines and then pass a clearing of fallen trees and then make your way to the top of the hill. Then stand at the edge of the road, face the mountains and look for three rocks. Well, we miscalculated what was meant by the top of the hill and we ended up passing the location and kept climbing. We arrived at a spot and I noticed another landmark from the clues so we decided to give it a try and see if we were in the right spot. We left the road and walked through an area of lots of dead branches. I guess I wasn't paying attention and my foot caught on one of them and I tumbled onto both hands and forearms. Thankfully, I wasn't hurt bad just some scrapes along my left forearm. When I got up my arm was covered with blood and Thomas and I noticed that lots of the branches had parts sticking up and we realized how lucky I was - I could have been stabbed in the chest or stomach or my eyes. We decided we had probably gone too far and the weather was changing. It had gotten cloudy, windy and it looked like a storm was coming. I also needed to get back to the car to get some wipes to clean up my arm. So, we turned around and headed back down the road. I stopped to take a couple of pictures and decided to reread the clues. Then as we walked down I kept my eye out for a couple of the landmarks. I saw one of them which was 'a largish rock in between two standing tree trunks. So, I left the trail and cautiously walked over to the rock - then I followed the rest of the clues and found the box - Second Saturday Seekers: What'll Ya Have? by Dragon D's. I was so happy!!! I was so glad to find the box because I didn't want to go home empty handed after being injured. So I stamped in and replaced the box all the while the sky was getting darker and the wind had picked up. Once the box was in place we continued back to the car, moving pretty fast hoping to beat the rain. We arrived at the car dry and I grabbed some wipes and cleaned up my arm and then we headed out. When we turned onto NM96 the rain started and it came down hard all at once. Someone or something was looking out for us and let us get to the car before the deluge.

It was a good day, we found both boxes we looked for and for most of the time the weather was perfect. We also enjoyed the hikes - great spot and wonderful views.

Headed to Gallina for Letterboxes

I have been having clues for three boxes in the Gallina area since last summer. We had tried to go then but the forest was closed at the time due to high fire danger and then after they reopened the forest we never found the time to get out there. So, we decided today was the day. We headed out around 8:00am and the drive took two hours. We arrived at mile marker 23 on NM96 just outside of Gallina and turned onto FR103. The clue told us to look for where the Continental Divide Trail crossed FR103. On our first pass we missed the trail and drove about five miles along the road never seeing a CDT sign. So we turned around and only a short distance from NM96 we found the trail. The sign was more on the side of the tree and we missed it from the direction we were heading at first but it was easily seen from our return direction. So we parked on the side of the road and followed the clues heading east on the trail.then the clue says "Cross an old dirt road, down and up 2 hills, and through a stile marked with a CDT tag. Cross 2 old dirt roads, down a hill then back up, past a large rock with an interesting cut out. Continue on, eventually walking down a rock path into the canyon. Pass the giant name rock and find the 6th stone cairn." It didn't give any distances. We ended up walking about two miles before we got to the 6th cairn. Thankfully, the trail is pretty level with only a few ups and downs that weren't that bad. Once at the 6th cairn it became a little cofusing. From here we had to take compass readings and steps four different times to get to the box. At first we weren't all that accurate because we were no where around the box. But we looked all the same. Then we returned to the cairn and started again. This time we were closer but still not where we needed to be. But instead of starting over we just decided to look at the picture provided and see if we could line up at the same angle - we did it and found NM Moose by Dragon D's. I sat and stamped in and the weather took a turn for the worse. The wind started blowing and clouds moved in fast. So I got the box back in place and we returned to the trail and headed back to the car. Remember, we have two miles to walk to get to the car. About five minutes into our walk it started to spritz, then that eventually turned into a steady drizzle. By the time we got to the car we were wet, not soaking, but still wet. Thankfully, the worst of the rain waited until we were in the car.

So we decided that this was the end of letterboxing for the day and we would come back in a few days. It ended up raining the entire way home. But we were still glad we got out and did a little hike. The area is beautiful and we are looking forward to finding the other boxes and seeing more of Gallina.