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| Railroad cyn Holden Prong Gallinas cyn, NM | |
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| | Railroad cyn Holden Prong Gallinas cyn, NM | | | |
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Railroad cyn Holden Prong Gallinas cyn, NM
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| no partners | | Left very early Weds morning to backpack into an area I had been in part of around 2012. Lush, beautiful, like areas of the Gila before the more recent fires. The Silver Fire had affected this area, and when I checked before I left 3 small fires were burning in the Aldo, but the trails I wanted were still open.
At the car park for the TH as I got ready to get going noticed some dark fluid coming from the front of the Toyota. Popped the hood and the experts at my normal shop that changed the oil either cross threaded or put on the wrong filter, and oil was sprayed all over the engine compartment and pooled where the filter was. Of course a small amount looks like a lot. There was still plenty of oil in the crankcase according to the dipstick; great they probably overfilled it too.
I had no cell service where I was, I had my Sat phone and mulled over my options. One try for Silver City and hope the engine didn't blow up before I got there. Get somewhere I had cell service and call for a tow. Do a shorter version of my trip then try to get to town to see what I could get done. After all no one would be open on July 4 and I didn't want to try to go to town and maybe not get there and the whole trip ruined.
I went up Railroad canyon to the crest then down into Holden Prong. I must say I was not feeling it, lots of burned trees, and lots of brush coming back, some of it the thorny locust but some raspberries too. Some nice riparian areas, a few pools, no running water. Holden Prong has a 40 foot tiered waterfall in it but with the lack of rain no falls running. Will have to go back. I camped in the Prong on down where it was not so narrow. Big smoke column near Black canyon but the wind direction kept it out of my canyon.
Nice night with great stars framed by some tall living trees. Next day back up the Prong, then a leisurely bit of the Crest trail, then I caught the Gallinas canyon trail the back over to Railroad canyon.
I camped in Railroad back down from the trail juncture at a nice spot; could've slept in the FJ but didn't want to. Lots of up and down with this short trip. Saw a nice bird with a bright yellow breast, orange head and black and white wings. Some deer, lots of bear scat but did not see a bear.
Two angry squirrels did not like my camp location and chattered loudly but fell silent at dusk.
Upon leaving I stopped in at some campers down the road to see if I could purchase some motor oil but no one had any extra. I made it to Silver City and pulled into the Toyota dealership. Normally I am not a dealership person as I think they overcharge you but I wanted the vehicle checked and if the threads were screwed up they should have the die to rethred it. Verdict was all was well, the mechanic felt they had pinched the gasket and over-tightened the filter.
So, not a great trip but any night under the stars is a good one, and a pack on the back is better than not having one. Vehicle is ok, and I might get to chew some butt on monday, but at least by then I will have cooled off. Life is good. |
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