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Bicycle Tour Adventure #40

Day 1, 2, 3,
Side Visits: Pinos Altos, Gila Cliff Dwellings,
Petroglyph National Monument

Pictures and Stories About Bicycle Tour Adventures

Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR - Segment):
Tyrone, Tyrone Copper Mine, Silver City, Pinos Altos,
Lake Roberts, to Gila National Forest, (Southern Section),
New Mexico; By Bicycle Tour; February (Valentine's Week), 2012


Day 3 - Continental Divide (crossing #29 near Pinos Altos) to Lake Roberts

We were already moving downhill into Pinos Altos. Pinos Altos Museum, former Home and School.

It has Snowed, some places more than others.

Above Left: As we first arrived, there was a Solo Doe that ran off into a thicket on our left side.
For this image, we were already cycling downhill into Pinos Altos (Spanish/Mexican for High Pines or Tall Pines). Continental Divide crossing #29 is 40 yards/meters to our back. We're cycling north on NM-15 through downtown Pinos Altos to the town of Lake Roberts (on NM-35).
Above Right: The Pinos Altos Museum (owned and run by George Schafer, a third generation original resident, former Home and School). See our separate Pinos Altos and Museum web page.

The road out of Pinos Altos. Hwy-15 entering the Gila National Forest.
Above Left: The road out of Pinos Altos.

Above Right: Hwy-15, north bound, entering the Gila (the Native American pronounciation is Hee-luh).

Welcome - Trail of the Mountain Spirits - Scenic Byway. That may be a Great Blue Heron.
Above Left: Welcome - Trail of the Mountain Spirits - Scenic Byway. Have no worries, no one else can read it either.

Above Right: Not sure but that may be a Great Blue Heron up here at 7,000' (plus a duck).

A view as we start our second accent. A view as we start our second accent.
Above: Different views as we started our second accent (this was the big one).

A view across the sunny valley. Climbing in the snow and loving it.
Above Left: A view across the sunny valley.

Above Right: Climbing in the snow and loving it. Yes, Dennis forgot to leave the Motorcycle Helmet with the motorcycle, again [Re: the Red Helmet Bag]. We are near Cherry Creek Campground.

Moses was here before us.

We have climbed up to the switch backs. We have crested, our reward is lunch at this spot.
Above Left: The good news is that we have climbed up to the switch backs; the bad news is that we have climbed up to the switch backs.

Above Right: We have crested; our reward is lunch at this spot (in the sun!).

The Bee, as viewed from our luncheon. On the road again, some uphill climbs yet.
Above Left: The Bee, as viewed from our luncheon.

Above Right: On the road again, some uphill climbs yet.

13 Miles to Lake Roberts, NM (our destination). The day is warming up and we are decending altitude.
Above Left: 13 Miles to Lake Roberts, NM (our destination).

Above Right: Two things are happening, one, the day is warming up and snow is melting, and two, we are in a major decent (less snow at lower altitudes).

We're back in Pinion and Cedar country. We're more or less looking westward from NM-15.
Above Left: We're back in Pinion and Cedar country; no snow on the road (but still in the shadows).

Above Right: We're more or less looking westward from NM-15 and we have a view of the New Mexico portion of the Mogollon Rim.

On NM-15 in Gila National Forest.
On NM-15 in Gila National Forest.
On NM-15 in Gila National Forest.
It is glide time!. Warning, Hair Pin Turns.
Above Left: It is glide time! A person can burn up a break system on a run like this, the trick is to break hard, slow down a lot, and then re-gain coasting speed and NOT break steady on (per biking articles on this subject, the latest from Jan Heine in the March, 2011 issue of Adventure Cycling, V39, #2, p54, Mechanical Advantage).

Above Right: Warning, Hair Pin Turns.

We coasted to Sapillo Creek. Valley Info.
Above Left: We coasted to Sapillo Creek. We are near the intersection of NM Hwys 15 and 35. Turn Left to the Cliff Dwellings, Turn Right to Lake Roberts. Walk like an Egyptian!

Above Right: Valley Info.

More information about the area. More information about the area.
Above: You are Here (orange arrow box pointing) - More information about the area.

East bound and down. 4 miles to Lake Roberts.
Above Left: "East bound and down." Speaking of Smoky and the Bandit, this is the area
from which Smoky Bear was rescued as a bear cub (from a huge forest fire back in the 1950s).
For trivia buffs, it is NOT Smoky 'the' Bear.

Above Right: 4 miles to Lake Roberts.

Ranch Country. Snake warmer rocks.
Above Left: Ranch Country.

Above Right: Snake warmer rocks.

Sign for Lake Roberts Country Store, Food and Lodging. Lake Roberts Country Store and Cabin Rentals.
Above Left: Sign for Lake Roberts Country Store, Food and Lodging.

Above Right: We're home, we're done - Lake Roberts Country Store and Cabin Rentals.


This ends the bicycle travel log/travelogue for Day 3 and this ends our Bicycle Tour.
We had a wonderful time; the snow interruptions just allowed us
to visit more of the area via our 4x4.

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