Managing Editor:
James Perry

Sometimes the best way to appreciate all that your Jeep offers is to get out of the driver's seat and appreciate another form of outdoor recreation. In Red River, N.M., point the hood of your Jeep in just about any direction, pick your favorite activity, and prepare yourself for some of the best outdoor opportunities found anywhere in the West. 

Red River is an outdoor Mecca, bursting in every direction with a smorgasbord of fun for every enthusiast. Hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, skiing, all-terrain vehicle riding, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing, photography, horseback riding, or river rafting, no matter what hobby or sport you pursue, there's a good chance you'll find what you're after in the Red River area or the surrounding Carson National Forest. 

Of course, not all activities are available all year, but there is plenty of fun for any season. The middle of summer, some would argue, is when Red River and the surrounding area is at its best. With an average high temperature in July reaching only into the mid- to upper-70s, Red River offers mild temperatures at an elevation of 8,750 feet above sea level. 

July in Red River leaves some activities, well, out in the cold. Despite an occasional late spring snow squall, the snow will all be gone by July; with it goes all opportunities for downhill and cross-country skiing as well as snowmobiling. And despite some of the best big game hunting in the state being just a long rifle shot away on the Valle Vidal portion of the Carson National Forest, hunting seasons won't come around for another two months. 

The activities that are available in July, however, will be at their peak. 

All visitors to the Red River area will really benefit by making the Red River Chamber of Commerce on Main Street their first stop. There, visitors will be able to pick up maps, brochures, and details about the area. Several handouts outdoor fans won't want to miss cover hiking trails, biking trails (including local rules), nearby camping sites, and fishing information. 

All recreation-seekers not already familiar with mountain weather are advised to bone up on survival and first aid as related to high-mountain environments. Mountain weather can change rapidly, with temperatures falling dozens of degrees in an hour or less. Recreators should layer clothing with at least one layer providing warmth and one providing waterproofing. 

More Travels in the Area Click Here:

Altitude sickness, an illness that sometimes affects those who travel to the mountains from lowland elevations, finds victims suffering from a lack of oxygen. Generally, the illness only affects those who travel from elevations of near sea level to mountain areas above 8,000 feet. This is an illness with serious consequences--it can lead to death if not treated. 

Symptoms of altitude sickness include lack of coordination, excessive thirst, lack of equilibrium, sick stomach, vomiting, or a severe headache. When nothing else explains a symptom, consider the possibility of a lack of oxygen. Generally, moving to a lower elevation, or spending a day getting acclimated at a moderate elevation, will prevent any problems. Drink extra fluids and avoid caffeine and alcohol if possible. 

Hikers and bikers will find hundreds of miles of trails in the area--many beginning right in the city of Red River. Others are but a short distance away. 

Bikers will want to check out the Goose Lake, Old Red River Pass, Midnight Meadows, Pioneer Canyon, and Middle Fork Lake rides. A variety of difficulty ratings offer something for all riding abilities from beginner to expert, and ride details can be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce. 

Hikers will find themselves surrounded by great hiking opportunities while in Red River. The hardest decision will be whether to take one of the shorter, more accessible hikes, many of which begin right in town, or take a short drive to some of the best hiking anywhere in the country. 

In town, those interested in stretching their legs should consider the Mallette Park Nature Trail, a quarter-mile loop perfect for a stroll. The Red River Nature Trail hike, two miles one way or four roundtrip, never really leaves town and is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Both hikes are listed as easy or very easy, meaning just about anyone who can walk the distance will have no trouble. Also available are the Pioneer Trail (three miles, easy) and Middle Fork Trail (two miles, moderate). 

Longer hikes for those looking to kill an afternoon or a full day abound as well. Some trails allow vehicles to be posted at each end, allowing for a one-way trek, but others require a round-trip excursion. Distances here are for one-way hikes, so double the distance if you plan to return on foot. Try the Goose Lake Trail (six miles, moderate to difficult), Columbine Trail (four to six miles, moderate), Lost Lake (five miles, moderate to difficult), Horseshoe Lake (eight miles, difficult), or Wheeler Peak (eight to 10 miles, very difficult). 

On top of those treks, other areas in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness and Latir Wilderness offer dozens of other beautiful hikes. Check with the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest for details. When you visit the backcountry, you're advised to be well prepared and to always let someone know where you are going and when you'll return before hitting the trail. Also, please pack out all trash and practice the principles of "Leave No Trace" to leave things a little better than you found them. 

Car campers will find a bevy of beautiful spots on which to pitch a tent. Up Red River Canyon toward Questa, campers will find a series of easily accessible campgrounds; they do, however, tend to get crowded. A few miles to the west, Heron Lake offers a beautiful mountain setting where boats are required to operate at a wake-less speed. Heron offers the only lake trout fishing in the state along with trout and kokanee salmon. 

Just five miles further down the road, El Vado is the place for skiers and others who don't mind noise. To the south and east a bit, Eagle Nest Lake is a beautiful lake offering trout and kokanee salmon. Nearby Cimarron Canyon State Park is a beautiful little spot for camping. And check out the Wild Rivers National Historic Area on Bureau of Reclamation Land near Questa. 

The most obvious camping for folks who are either self-contained or who appreciate the solitude that getting away from an established campground offers is the Carson National Forest. Hundreds of miles of roads are available for campers looking to get away from people and noise--just be careful to stay out of the wilderness area and observe all closed gates and other restrictions. The national forest land opens up hundreds of thousands of acres of camping access. 

The forest also opens up hundreds of miles of roads for the family with a Jeep looking to explore. All-terrain vehicle rentals are available in Red River. Horse-packing excursions and trail rides are also available, offering people looking for a chance to get out from behind the wheel an alternative. 

But if cruising backcountry roads in your Jeep is your type of fun, the Carson National Forest will not disappoint. In addition to any organized trail rides, there are hundreds of other miles of roads to explore. Check with the Questa Ranger District for maps and details about the best options for your vehicle and driving abilities, as well as areas of interest. And if you simply want to sit back and watch, there are group excursions available out of Red River where you can simply ride along and look at the scenery. 

Rafting and kayaking is limited in the Red River area because most rivers are quite small, even when swollen with runoff. That doesn't keep some people from trying in places, however. One area that does offer some access and action is the Rio Grande where spring rapids challenge boaters, but by summer--particularly a dry summer--access is limited. 

If you're still looking for something to do, or maybe your idea of fun doesn't include dirt, there are plenty of sites to see and beautiful vistas waiting. 

Wonderful drives can be found in just about every direction. Try a drive down to Taos or Eagle Nest Lake, or head west to Chama. Be sure to bring plenty of film because there are places that just demand to be photographed. 

If an old steam-engine train ride sounds fun, make the drive to Chama and ride the Cumbres and Toltec train to Antonito, Colo., and back. The ride takes passengers through some of the most beautiful country in the West and is as peaceful an excursion as can be imagined. 

Along the way to Chama, near Questa, do not fail to stop and walk out on the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. This structure spans the Rio Grande Gorge; below, the Rio Grande in the distance is the state's largest river and one of the longest rivers in the country. And for the fishing fan in the group, a stop at the Red River Fish Hatchery is fun for young and old alike--see the state's efforts to grow rainbow trout for stocking into area waters. Tourists and those looking for a few keepsakes won't want to miss a short trip to Taos or one of the area's Indian pueblo sites. 

And if that's not enough? There are surely more options. Just stop a local on the street and ask what they suggest. New Mexico is known for its friendly people and Red River is a perfect example of that old west hospitality. Just don't be surprised if they decide to serve as your personal tour guide or invite you in for lunch as well. 

For more information on this and other Jeep Jamborees, please visit http://www.jeepunpaved.com/jamboree/index.html.