N. M. Volunteers for the Outdoors conducts annual training & recruitment drive

The New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors (NMVFO) will conduct its annual trail maintenance and construction workshop in March and encourages the public to attend.

“The workshop is a great introduction to trail work,” says Ed DiBello, chairperson for the non-profit organization.

NMVFO volunteers perform trail maintenance and construction projects on public lands all around the state and enjoy camping out and socializing too.

“For New Mexicans and those new to New Mexico, it’s a great way to become familiar with the landscape and also to meet some great people,” DiBello says.

Training includes a classroom presentation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 15 at REI, 1550 Mercantile NE, Albuquerque. Hands-on training follows from 8 a.m. till around mid-afternoon, Saturday, March 17 in Albuquerque’s Sandia Foothills Open Space.

Last year 141 NMVFO volunteers including 80 first-timers participated in 19 projects on local, state and federal public lands providing 2,249 hours of labor at a savings of $44,463 to public agencies.

NMVFO projects improve the safety and use of public lands for all users through construction of new trails, maintenance of old ones, sign installation and other work.

Volunteers have planted native trees at the Valle de Oro and Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuges and removed of old fences and other debris at the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

“NMVFO works all over the state,” says DiBello.  “This year, we have projects ranging from Sugarite State Park in the north to Trout Creek down south in the Gila.”

Volunteers will hear from veteran NMVFO project leaders during the classroom training about the negative impacts from hikers taking shortcuts across trail switchbacks and the positive effects from using designated trails. Participants also will watch U.S. Forest Service instructional videos about trail construction and maintenance. Instructors will answer questions and go over this year’s list of NMVFO projects around the state.

Participants can put their newfound skills to work the following weekend rerouting an existing trail within the Sandia Foothills Open Space. Volunteers are scheduled to meet at 8:00 a.m.at the Embudo Park trailhead on the eastern end of Menaul Blvd. Coffee, juice, fruit and snacks will be available on a first come, first served basis.

NMVFO trail workers and Albuquerque Open Space employees will oversee the new volunteers during the event. Participants should dress for outdoor work and wear sturdy boots and work gloves, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and bring additional suitable clothing, snacks, water and personal items that may be needed.

The training is free. Participants also can join the organization for a nominal fee and participate in more projects.

NMVFO was started in 1982 and according to its mission statement is dedicated to improving outdoor recreational facilities in New Mexico and is an all-volunteer, action oriented, non-political, non-profit organization that promotes public involvement and education of the public in the maintenance, improvement and the upkeep of New Mexico's public lands for recreational use.

For more information visit NMVFO’s website at http://nmvfo.org/.

Outdoor recreation industry worried about lack of snow this winter

Sangre de Cristo mountains above Pojoaque.

Northern New Mexico’s outdoor recreation industry is bracing for a dismal year due to a record-breaking lack of snowpack this winter.

“This is scary,” says Ivan Valdez of The Reel Life fly shop in Santa Fe. “The health of our lakes, rivers, wildlife, the tourism economy, they all depend on that runoff.”

Snowpack in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado is at record low amounts and not expected to improve any time soon, says Chris Romero, snow survey hydrological technician with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Albuquerque.

“The long range forecast is we’re looking at above normal temperatures and below average precipitation,” Romero says. “We’d need twice as much snow as we normally receive to make up for what we haven’t gotten so far.”

Romero’s January statewide report shows snowpack at just 4 percent of median compared with 98 percent at the same time last year. Statewide precipitation stood at just 12 percent of average so far this winter and a little over 20 percent for the year. Springtime runoff forecasts are expected to be way down if not non-existent in some places, Romero says.

“If we don’t get some relief this could go into the record books as one of the worst winters ever,” Romero says.

Last weekend’s snowstorm was welcome but did little to alleviate the situation, he noted.

River rafting guides have ridden out droughts like this before and are prepared for low water conditions, says Steve Miller of New Wave Rafting in Embudo and president of the New Mexico River Outfitters Association.

“You can run the racecourse at any level and still have plenty of fun,” he says.

River rafting companies have adapted over the years to repeated drought related low water conditions by offering funyak rentals and guided float and fishing trips on the lower river.

The industry saw a banner year of hair-raising and lucrative runs through the Rio Grande’s Taos Box last year due to great high water conditions.

Rafters on the Rio Grande Racecourse section.

But this year could be another story this year as the ski industry has already learned.

“We’re open but considering the lack of snow and limited terrain, business is a little slow,” says Candy DeJoia at Ski Santa Fe.

The ski area averages 225 inches of snow a year but has only seen 24 inches so far this season, she said.

So instead the resort has been busy making man-made snow to apply to their most popular trails, she said.

Those who venture up the mountain will find discounted prices, great weather and plenty of room to ski, she says.

Other ski areas around the state are suffering the same fate with overall business down by about 30-percent this year, says George Brooks, executive director of Ski New Mexico, an industry association.

Brooks stressed that most resorts have good snowmaking capabilities and applying snow to their most heavily used runs to keep customers happy.

“We’ve still got a couple months of winter left and are hoping for snow,” he says.

The bleak snowpack outlook has state and federal forest officials worried about an early and heightened fire season.

Forest fire in the Sangre de Cristo mountains above Pojoaque. 

The U.S. Forest Service has suspended some planned  prescribed burns due to dry conditions and is monitoring the situation closely, says Bruce Hill Jr., public information officer for the Santa Fe National Forest.

“If the dry conditions persist there’s always the possibility of forest closures,” he acknowledged. “But it’s still a little too early to tell and we’re hoping we’ll get some help from Mother Nature.”

State forestry officials are urging the public to be prepared in case of wildfires.

“Create a defensible space around your home and property, prepare a “go bag” in case of evacuation with essentials like medications, important documents, family photos, personal computer information on hard drives and disks, and chargers for cell phones, basically have a plan just in case disaster strikes,” says Donald Griego, state forester for the New Mexico State Forestry Division. “The more prepared you are for wildfire, the safer you and your family will be.”

Detailed fire safety and evacuation plans can be found on the division’s website while up-to-date fire related news and information can be found at www.nmfireinfo.com.

In the meantime anglers and outdoor enthusiasts can take some solace in knowing that the state’s lake and reservoirs are at about 70 percent of average capacity, according to the state basin report which can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/nm/snow/.

Many of those lakes and reservoirs are within state parks.

“We have 34 state parks that provide wonderful outdoor experiences statewide,” says Christy Tafoya, director of the state parks division. 

“We encourage visitors to enjoy parks year-round, as we have camping, fishing, boating and hiking activities, as well as fun and engaging educational programs.”

Abiquiu Lake 

Romero says that much of the stored water in the state’s lakes and reservoirs is slated for use by farmers and municipalities.

“It’ll be released at some point and won’t be replaced by snowpack runoff so even that situation doesn’t look good in the long run,” he says.

And once again New Mexicans may have to ride out a drought hoping and praying for the monsoon season to bring some relief.

Enchanted Forest cross-country skiing and snowshoe area closed due to lack of snow

The Enchanted Forest cross-country ski and snowshoe area in northern New Mexico remains closed due to a lack of snow and the operator is seeking financial donations to help stay afloat until next year.

“This is unprecedented, there’s just no snow and we weren’t prepared for this,” says Ellen Miller-Goins of Red River, owner of the outdoor resort.

The 600-acre cross country ski and snowshoeing area is in the Carson National Forest near Bobcat Pass between Red River and Eagle Nest.

Snow pack across New Mexico and southern Colorado is way down this year due to drought this fall and early winter.

While many ski areas can make snow to stay open for business, Miller-Goins can’t and remains closed.

To offset the loss of business income and help cover expenses Miller-Goins is appealing to the public for help.

Those interested in donating can go online to her fundraising campaign page on Indiegogo’s website at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-enchanted-forest#/.

The campaign has raised almost $8,000 from more than 80 people so far while the goal is to reach $27,500.

Country music star, Michael Martin Murphy, who spends many of his summers in Red River helped out with a benefit concert last weekend at the Motherlode Saloon that raised almost $10,000.

“We had a good turnout and great time,” Miller-Goins. “It was very intimate and wonderful concert.” 

Miller-Goins says if enough snows falls in the coming months she may be able to open but she isn’t counting on that happening.

Kerry Jones, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, in Albuquerque says the outlook for snow in the coming months is well below average.

“I don’t think anyone had any idea it was going to be this brutal,” Jones says of the lack of statewide precipitation this fall and early winter. “This time last year they had four to five feet of snow at Bobcat Pass, there’s isn’t really anything on the ground up there right now.” The agency regularly measures snowpack at a site near Bobcat Pass.

The area’s so dry that Colfax County Fire Marshal Larry Osborn has just imposed a fire ban in some areas of the county.

The Enchanted Forest cross country ski area was created by Miller-Goins’ parents in the mid-1980s and she has been running it since 2010.

When there’s snow on the ground the recreation area features many miles of groomed trails, equipment rentals, lessons and heated yurts where cross-country skiers and snowshoers can spend nights in the backcountry.

“I love this place and other people do too,” says Miller-Goins. “And New Mexico needs places like this for our tourism economy to thrive so I hope people can help out.”

Miller-Goins also operates the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, an online newspaper at www.sangrechronicle.comthat covers the Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Cimarron and Taos area.

San Juan River's Simon Canyon Run Under Restoration

Last Chance run on the San Juan River below Simon Canyon.

New Mexico’s trophy trout fishery, the San Juan River below Navajo Dam, will be getting an upgrade for Christmas including two new boat ramps and many in-stream habitat improvements.

“This is a win-win project designed to benefit anglers, guides, outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife,” says Marc Wethington, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologist stationed on the river.

Work is scheduled to commence this month on about a mile of river between Simon Canyon and the Gravel Pit boat takeout. The area will be closed to the public during construction and boaters can use a temporary boat ramp on the river’s back channel at Munoz to takeout. Construction could take up to three months.

The estimated $1 million project caps efforts to improve this stretch of the river that was devastated by massive flooding in late 2014.

The flood from Simon Canyon smothered the riverbed with tons of sand and silt which killed off much of the bug life that sustains fish. What had been one of the river’s best dry-fly fishing areas held far fewer trout and fishing declined.

Simon Canyon.

Control of erosion and storm runoff was needed on the surrounding mesas that feed Simon Canyon and Sen. Martin Heinrich D-N.M., helped get it done.

“I am proud I was able to work with the San Juan Guide Association, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Farmington, Conoco Phillips and other stakeholders to improve the Simon Canyon watershed and reduce sediment flow into the San Juan River,” Heinrich said in a written statement. “The community needed immediate action and we were able to effectively deliver tangible and pragmatic results to ensure the San Juan River will continue to be a thriving and top destination for fly fishing in the country.”

The BLM conducted juniper and pinon tree thinning projects and planted native grasses on hundreds of acres within the watershed to reduce runoff and erosion. And oil companies operating in the area were prompted to make improvements to their roads and well sites to help in the effort.

That set the stage for the N.M. Department on Game and Fish to proceed with in-stream habitat improvements designed to help keep silt and sediment moving downstream when flooding does occur.

Cottonwood tree groves should benefit from the habitat improvement project.

Some of the improvements also are designed to benefit wildlife habitat in the riverside bosque by diverting water to it during floods and high water conditions, says Chris Philips of Riverbend Engineering of Albuquerque. The river restoration firm has been involved in many recent habitat improvement projects undertaken on the San Juan River.

Weeminuche Construction Authority of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe of Towaoc, Colo. won the bid to perform construction on the Simon Canyon project.

Wethington, who has been stationed on the river his entire 23 year career with the department, says the overall effort should help alleviate silt and sediment problems below Simon Canyon in the future.

Marc Wethnington.

Federal excise taxes paid by sportsmen and women on fishing tackle, motor boat fuel and other sporting goods funded the project.

The San Juan River is a top trout fishing destination for anglers due to its huge population of big fish of and many miles of public access. Fishing on the San Juan River contributes an estimated $40 million to the state’s economy annually, according to a New Mexico State University economic study.

Read more about the San Juan improvement projects at:

http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2012/06/mark-wethingtonfisheries-biologist-for.html

http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2014/07/brand-new-aquatic-park-on-san-juan.html

http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2010/04/blm-drops-more-rocks-in-san-juan-river.html

http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2014/03/san-juan-river-taking-on-whole-new-look.html

http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2011/11/latest-san-juan-project-to-limit-silt.html

http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2007/12/san-juan-river-improvement-project.html

http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2008/12/report-sums-up-shape-of-san-juan.html

Trout stocked all winter long to satisfy New Mexico anglers

Anglers can still catch plenty of tasty fish during the winter as the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish switches from stocking catfish to trout in many statewide waters.

Every fall, the department switches from stocking catfish in the summer to trout in the winter at Tingley Beach, the Albuquerque area drains and other popular fishing waters in the southern half of the state.

“Trout fishing in small community ponds in southern New Mexico is especially popular during the winter," says Dan Williams, spokesman for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Lake Van near Dexter southeast of Roswell is a popular winter fishing destination. 

Catfish thrive in warmer water while trout prefer it much cooler, and these waters are ideal for this kind of stocking program.

Rainbow trout, including some big ones, are already being stocked at multiple locations in the drains that run alongside the Rio Grande. 

Larger trout are frequently added during routine stocking to provide anglers even more fun while fishing.

"We’re fortunate here in New Mexico to have waters such as Tingley Beach and the Albuquerque-area drains that cool off enough in the winter to allow us to stock trout for anglers to catch,” Williams says.

Although the department doesn’t disclose exact stocking spots, general locations include: N.M. 550 river bridge in Bernalillo, the Corrales drain along the bosque, and the Rio Grande Open Space off Alameda Boulevard. 

Other stocking spots include the Shining River parking area, the drain between Bridge and Rio Bravo Boulevards, and the west bank of the Belen drain and the east bank of the Peralta drain between Los Lunas and Belen. 

Maps of the drains areas can be found in the fishing section of the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Thousands of trout are stocked every week from November through March. See the weekly stocking report on the department’s website for details of when and where.

Albuquerque anglers say fishing for trout in the drains requires some stealth and typical fishing techniques. Check out YouTube for some great videos of folks fishing for trout and bass in the Albuquerque area drains.

Trout in the drains usually can be found in deeper pools, under the shade of overhanging trees or around any kind of protective structure. 

Prime trout habitat on an Albuquerque area drain.

Try using a salmon egg or worm on a short piece of lightly weighted line just below a bobber or bubble so the bait rides just above the bottom. Spinners and flies are good lures too.

Most areas along the drains are open to the public during daylight hours and can be accessed by walking, riding a bike or driving if permitted.  For more information about riverside recreation in the Albuquerque area, visit the city’s website at www.cabq.gov.

A quiet afternoon of fishing along one of the Albuquerque area drains.

At Tingley Beach, anglers will find a kids pond for anglers younger than age 12, a central pond where bait is allowed and the bag limit is four trout per day. There is also catch-and-release only pond where only single, barbless hooks on artificial flies and lures may be used.

Kids enjoy some fishing at one of the ponds at Tingley Beach.

Anglers ages 12 and older need a current fishing license. Call the department’s customer service line at (888) 248-6866 to immediately get one. A license also can be purchased online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or from vendors such as bait and tackle shops and sporting goods stores.

Tingley Beach, also called Conservancy Park, is operated by the City of Albuquerque and features a café, restrooms, hiking and biking trails and security guards on patrol. See the city's website for more information.

Good winter trout fishing also can be found within a moderate drive from Albuquerque, including the Pecos River at Sumner Lake and Villanueva state parks. Anglers can wet a line for trout at Escondida Lake just outside of Socorro or on the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Lake at Truth or Consequences. 

The Pecos River below Sumner Dam is well stocked with trout during the winter.

Anglers will find plenty of well stocked winter trout fishing waters in the southern part of the state. For a list of those waters visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Most of the state's best fishing can be found at state parks. Visit their website for more information.