San Juan Mountains

[Barko1]

I only had a few days but the 107 temp drove me out of S. NM up to the nearest high country not closed due to fire hazards
This is a shot of the Pacheco fire just N of Santa Fe.

Found some snow near 10,000', this is just below Wolf Creek Pass.

Same spot, just a forest road off US550 where I have spent the night a couple of times

This waterfall is across the highway, don't think many people know it is there

Dogs like the camp, Lost Trail Campground, free, mostly empty, 17 miles of dirt off CO149

Reason for pulling the trailer

Might be something under there

No treated water at Lost Trail CG but this works

On the way home near Chama, NM

Then back home, two weeks and back out there

 

[RJones]

My favorite part of the state. Alot of snow still up there for sure!

 

[highz]

Great pics Barko! Love seeing that flowing water.

 

[Dughlas Stiubhart]

Hey, Barko, looks like all you all have been having a great time up there in the San Juans. Thanks for the photos!

 

[SunMan]

Yeah Barko...always on an adventure!

 

[Barko1]

Hey, Barko, looks like all you all have been having a great time up there in the San Juans. Thanks for the photos!



Only 250 miles for you Stew! I suspect you can find nice cool places closer.

Functional notes: I had installed a low pressure drop auxiliary trans cooler on the F250 and it seems to have resulted in a good 20 - 30 degree temp drop. I was carrying the camper and pulling 2000# so I was just over 11,000# and even going up Wolf Creek I topped at around 170 degrees, the next day in higher temps (95+) with some good hills going South it was about the same so I'm very pleased and really think it is one of the "really ought to's" What led me to that was installing the temp gauge

Also I like my new screen door but will add a little crossbar on the bottom to try to minimize dog damage.

Wave 3 was used for a couple hours, still works like a champ.

I had battery issues, my little 7w solar charge regulator was telling me all was well although the battery indicator wasn't indicating anything and when I turned on my inverter it started screaming that I was down to 10v which seemed accurate as the Coleman/Stirling 12v fridge was giving me the low voltage warning as well. Got to where my LED lights were dim. After a charge by running the truck things perked up but again went low. I drove it home and am back to 12.7. I just turned the fridge on and will see what happens, usually the solar would be plenty to keep it well charged (75w). The batteries (2) are suspect as they were cheap and are getting several years old so I wouldn't be surprised if they are dying but the charge controller is also suspect as it was indicating a maintenance charge when the batteries were about dead, it should have been indicating full charge mode. I was sitting below Wolf Creek Pass getting AT&T on the IPad so I ordered a new controller from there I have another trip coming up and I need to have everything working right. I guess if the batteries drop I'll swap the controller and see what happens and if they still die I'll replace them with a pair of 6v I have in my other camper. Any thoughts?

 

[1tonpaulie]

Hey Barko
I really like the picture of the drz in the swimming hole. Your pictures are really great. Please keep them coming.

Paulie

 

[Barko1]

Hey Barko
I really like the picture of the drz in the swimming hole. Your pictures are really great. Please keep them coming.

Paulie

I thought you'd like that one I tried to avoid one pool and ended up stuck in muck, my daughter pulled a bit while I gassed it and pushed and the knobbies got it out. If you ever head West let me know and I can show you some great riding.

 

[Desert Rancher]

I had battery issues

I would suspect the batteries, after all they are a "wear-out item".

A Hydrometer is cheap will show the status of each cell. I am surprised this isn't mentioned more often when batteries are discussed.

Jeff

 

[Barko1]

I would suspect the batteries, after all they are a "wear-out item".

A Hydrometer is cheap will show the status of each cell. I am surprised this isn't mentioned more often when batteries are discussed.

Jeff


I 2 amp charged them all night and still low this am, increased to a 10 amp charge. I have a hydrometer, may check them. I suspect a bad battery might be making the charge controller goofy as well??? When I added the battery I just used one that I had for a trolling motor and the other was older so I have been waiting for something to crap out. I'll fix it next week.

 

[highz]

Question for you Barko. Not too far from Lost Trail CG is Regan Lake on FR 521. Have you been there? Do you know if it gets crowded?

 

[Barko1]

Question for you Barko. Not too far from Lost Trail CG is Regan Lake on FR 521. Have you been there? Do you know if it gets crowded?


Have not been there, appears to be North from 520 where I was. I see it is near San Cristobal which may have more traffic. There were very few people at Lost Trail and plenty of good boondocking spots nearby, further up 520. Lost Trail has 7 spots, Ranger in Creede said they would fill over the 4th holiday but usually there are only a couple people there, more tents than anything. I was pleased that there were so few people around. Road Canyon Reservoir was busy in the mornings with people fishing but maybe 2 parties fishing at Rio Grande Res. I like the areas off 149, carries so much less traffic and tourism than 550. Some nice spots up towards Bristol Head as well.

 

[highz]

Good info. Thanks

 

[Barko1]

I 2 amp charged them all night and still low this am, increased to a 10 amp charge. I have a hydrometer, may check them. I suspect a bad battery might be making the charge controller goofy as well??? When I added the battery I just used one that I had for a trolling motor and the other was older so I have been waiting for something to crap out. I'll fix it next week.



Update. I think both the charge controller and batteries were having troubles. I put in two nearly new 6v batteries, they were fine, 12.8, but didn't seem to be benefitting from any solar charge. I swapped out the controller ($21) and I started getting nearly 2x the voltage going to the battery and the battery is now at 13.2 Think it's good to go