1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Enchanted Rockies Trail

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by RedRunner87, May 20, 2020.

  1. May 20, 2020 at 2:09 PM
    #1
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    First overland trip for the 4Runner!

    Enchanted Rockies Trail

    Starting point: Show Low, AZ

    I traveled from Colorado Springs to Phoenix to pick up drawers and roof rack cross bars from my buddy. We decided to get a jump on the Enchanted Rockies trail but cutting our Day 1 drive down so we shot up to Show Low, AZ to camp.

    [​IMG]IMG_8558 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8559 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8560 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Day 1: Show Low, AZ to Lincoln, NM

    Time to top off the gas tank and start our journey to Lincoln

    [​IMG]Untitled by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    New Mexico!!

    [​IMG]IMG_8561 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Pie Town, NM! To bad everything was closed and we could not get any pie in Pie Town.

    [​IMG]IMG_8567 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    We decided to have lunch outside of the Very Large Array Radio Telescopes

    [​IMG]IMG_8568 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8569 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Finally made it to the trail head for the Enchanted Rockies Trail

    [​IMG]IMG_8572 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8573 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    The beginning on the trail was pretty easy. Just a gravel dirt road, which was nice at the end of the day. We decided that we could get a little bit of a jump on this section of the trail while we found a camping spot.

    [​IMG]IMG_8574 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8575 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8576 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8580 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8581 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    We found a suitable campsite for the night

    [​IMG]IMG_8582 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8585 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
     
    Bob, Spare Parts and MeefZah like this.
  2. May 20, 2020 at 2:10 PM
    #2
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Enchanted Rockies Trail

    Day 2

    On Day 2 we started in Lincoln, NM and traveled to Corona, NM. This section should be approximately 106 miles.

    As we traveling down the trail my buddy radios "Is that a water park ahead of us"?

    [​IMG]IMG_8586 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8589 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    It ended up being a Bible Ranch in the middle of no where.

    This section of trail wasn't hard, but it was rocky enough that we could only travel about 10mph's give or take.

    [​IMG]IMG_8597 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8607 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8609 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Time to air up as we are about to hit the highway

    [​IMG]IMG_8616 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    ...well that section of highway was a lot shorter than we thought. At least this section was a lot of "County" roads. So we could pick up the pace.

    [​IMG]IMG_8617 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8618 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8620 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    We detoured to the Roswell Incident Site. This is the debris field left from the UFO

    [​IMG]IMG_8623 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8624 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8625 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    The obligatory fuel up picture

    [​IMG]Untitled by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    This was on the drive up to the camp site. Free roaming cows everywhere.

    [​IMG]IMG_8627 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8628 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Camp! This camp site had soooo many bugs it was crazy.

    [​IMG]Untitled by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
     
  3. May 21, 2020 at 2:36 AM
    #3
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Member:
    #1122
    Messages:
    2,544
    Gender:
    Male
    Lexington, Ohio
    So far so good.

    Do you know what tent your friend has?
     
  4. May 21, 2020 at 7:08 AM
    #4
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited

    That’s the hardshell CVT
     
    MeefZah[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. May 21, 2020 at 7:09 AM
    #5
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    Looks like fun, Enchanted Rockies is one I’ve been looking into lately.
     
  6. May 21, 2020 at 10:24 AM
    #6
    Starr

    Starr Life Off the Road, off the Grid

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2020
    Member:
    #13542
    Messages:
    253
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jonathan
    SouthEast Maui
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma 3rd Gen 2017 quicksand TRD OR, T4R 5th Gen TRD ORP silver , Tundra 2000 TRD OR silver, Deere 5300 4wd, Wrangler 1994 ARB air lockers, 1998 BMW R100RTL.
    KDSS, Baja Sport amber fogs, PRO Black wheels, BFG KO2's
    Looks like a great trip. Thanks for posting.
     
  7. May 21, 2020 at 2:08 PM
    #7
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Hardshell CVT. I believe his is the discontinued model. He got like 40% off of it at the time.
     
  8. May 21, 2020 at 2:16 PM
    #8
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Enchanted Rockies Trail

    Day 3

    For Day 3 we traveled from Corona, NM to Pecos, NM. This section is about 156 miles, but was a little bit more with the Bypass

    Beginning of Day 3

    [​IMG]IMG_8630 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    We had some more flat "County" roads till we hit the highway. We may have accidentally hit a cattle guard a little to fast and jumped both trucks. I definitely do not recommend doing this.

    [​IMG]IMG_8632 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Got a little bit of pavement time

    [​IMG]IMG_8633 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8635 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Found a cool tunnel right before the highway to get some "Gram" worthy pictures

    [​IMG]IMG_8642 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8643 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8652 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    We ended up doing the Bypass because the new owners of a property locked a gate you have to take. The Bypass according to LifeStyle Overland "TRAILERS, LARGE RIGS, OR STOCK RIGS NOT RECOMMENDED". I did this trail with stock suspension but I do have 255/80's(33's). I hit my skids a couple times and completely flexed the 4Runner out. It took us around 2.5 hours to go 12 miles. It is super slow going with a lot of rocks and off camber sections. We were also the first ones threw this section in awhile, so we had to scout out some sections to figure out where we were going. Plan on some extra time taking the Bypass.

    [​IMG]IMG_8653 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8654 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8655 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8656 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8657 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Campsite with a killer view! Was totally worth the long drive of this section.

    [​IMG]IMG_8658 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8659 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8660 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
     
  9. May 21, 2020 at 2:17 PM
    #9
    rcems2000

    rcems2000 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Member:
    #12558
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    2019 4 Runner SR5
    Black Step Rails
    That looks like a fun trip. Great pictures and thanks for sharing
     
  10. May 21, 2020 at 2:32 PM
    #10
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    It was a lot of fun! Some really cool sights to see in New Mexico
     
  11. May 22, 2020 at 8:31 PM
    #11
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Enchanted Rockies Trail

    Day 4

    This section is from Pecos, NM to Angel Fire, NM. This section is about 140 miles and probably the most beautiful section.

    ...and we are off!

    [​IMG]IMG_8661 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    So many cows in NM

    [​IMG]IMG_8663 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8668 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8669 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8670 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Air up time again for the highway
    [​IMG]IMG_8673 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    ...so how do you know your friend is in from Phoenix? He makes you stop and take a picture when he sees snow.
    [​IMG]IMG_8674 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8677 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8679 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8680 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8682 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8685 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8687 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8689 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    RTT Problems

    [​IMG]Untitled by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Camp! This camp site was absolutely amazing

    [​IMG] by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG] by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8694 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG] by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
     
    masamitsu likes this.
  12. May 23, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #12
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2016
    Member:
    #2395
    Messages:
    1,344
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lee
    Collierville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    Custom scratches
    Great stuff! You happen to have a Gaia track of that route?
     
  13. May 23, 2020 at 8:28 AM
    #13
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    We followed Life Style Overland route. The only thing we did different was the Roswell side trail. I'll link everything in my last post.
     
    fajitas21[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. May 24, 2020 at 7:04 AM
    #14
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Enchanted Rockies Trail

    Day 5

    Today we were supposed to go from Angel Fire, NM to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. But due to COVID-19 National Parks are closed. So we decided to detour and camp with a couple buddies in Colorado Springs, off of Rampart Range Road. One day we will have to finish the Angel Fire, NM to Estes Park.

    Airing up and heading to the The Springs

    [​IMG]IMG_8698 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8696 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_8695 by Vincent Torres, on Flickr

    Made it to The Springs. Found a little mud and this was the end of our trip for this time.

    [​IMG]Untitled by Vincent Torres, on Flickr
     
  15. May 24, 2020 at 7:11 AM
    #15
    travelinscout

    travelinscout New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Member:
    #13203
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP MGM
    Looks like a great trip! Thanks for sharing.
     
  16. May 24, 2020 at 7:12 AM
    #16
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
  17. May 24, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #17
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Thank. Super bummed about GSDNP since I have never been there. I guess that just means a future trip to plan to finish this out.
     
  18. May 24, 2020 at 7:25 AM
    #18
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5

Products Discussed in

To Top