THE PROJECT: Camp out with staff and volunteers from Amigos Bravos, the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation and Forest Service personnel for the whole weekend (Friday night through Sunday morning) or, just come help out for a day on Saturday. We welcome all the extra pairs of hands we can get to help us build erosion control structures to protect delicate riparian areas. Midnight Meadows is one of ten priority Wetland Jewels that Amigos Bravos has identified and mapped as areas requiring special protections and restoration priority in the Carson National Forest about 15 miles from Questa, New Mexico, north of Taos.
SCHEDULE/GENERAL INFO: Friday evening we will meet at the campsite (look for signs along Cabresto Road/Forest Road 134). We'll be there setting up by 4 pm but you can arrive at your convenience before dark. Everyone should bring their own dinner for Friday evening and camping gear for the weekend. For those coming for only the day on Saturday, plan on being up at the site by 8:15 a.m. Dogs (well-behaved with people and other dogs) and children are welcome.
On Saturday morning, Albuquerque Wildlife Federation (AWF) will provide coffee and breakfast burritos. The Forest Service and Amigos Bravos will provide a project overview/safety talk. We will work Saturday from about 8:30-4:00, and then enjoy a potluck dinner (AWF provides bison or veggie burgers) with a group of fun committed conservationists around a campfire. We ask that everyone bring a side dish or dessert for the potluck.
On Sunday, if there is still work to be done and if folks are willing to stay, we will work for a few more hours. We will finish up no later than noon. Leave as you need to. We're grateful for any help we can get!
GEAR: Bring everything you need for a weekend of camping. For the work, don't forget gloves, hat, long sleeves, long pants, sturdy boots, and sunscreen. Warm clothes for the evenings and plenty of water are essential. The campsite is located at over 10,000 feet so bring warm gear!
TOOLS:
The Forest Service will be providing tools. If you have pliers/fence pliers, a garden trowel or hand spade, it would be helpful to bring those.
DIRECTIONS:
Take Hwy 522 north from Taos to Questa. Pass the traffic light in Questa at the junction with Hwy 38, which goes to Red River and continue north on Hwy 522 for almost exactly 2 miles to Llano Rd. Turn east (right) on to Llano Rd. After about 1/2 mile the pavement gives way to a maintained dirt road. About another 1/2 mile it will turn sharply and wind its way toward the mountain, joining another maintained dirt road in close to a mile. This is Cabresto Road, also Hwy 563 and Forest Rd 134.
· Continue on FR 134 up into Cabresto Canyon.
· Drive about 13 miles up this road.
· Landmarks as you drive up FR 134:
· About 3 miles in, you will pass the turn off to Cabresto Lake on FR 134A. Stay on FR 134 up Cabresto Canyon. In about another 3 miles you will pass FR 597 to Red River. Stay on FR 134 up Cabresto Canyon.
· About 7 miles further up from the 597 junction, you will pass the turn-off to FR 54 and then .3 miles past this will be the junction with FR 54C.
· At about 13 miles up FR 134 and .3 miles past the junction with FR54 turn right onto FR 54C.
· We will mark this turn with Amigos Bravos signs.
· Drive up the steep and sometimes rutted road for about .1 miles and the turn-off to camp will be to your left.
· It goes down to a small rise above Bitter Creek and is at our work site.
Like any dirt road, there are some rough spots and recent rains can change things, but generally access to the camping area is suitable for 2-wheel drive vehicles and small campers.
COVID PROTOCOLS: Our top priority is the health and safety of our volunteers. While this is an all-outdoor event and Taos County community transmission levels are currently "Low" according to the CDC, people may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should stay at home as the BA.5 variant that is currently circulating throughout the country is highly contagious.
PLEASE RSVP: There is no cell signal at the campsite/work area, so, if you're planning on volunteering, please RSVP so, we can send you directions to the campsite and order enough food for the Saturday breakfast and evening potluck. Please email Shannon Romeling, Midnight Meadows Project Coordinator for Amigos Bravos at sromeling@amigosbravos.org, call 575.758.3874.
SITE:
An aerial view of the Midnight Meadows campsite is shown below for additional location reference.
