Mangas Mountain Fall Colors - Gila (Apache) National Forest

 

Mangas Mountain

FR 11, Mangas Mountain

Mangas Mountain

Horse Mountain

Horse Mountain

Horse Mountain

Horse Mountain

Oaks along North Fork Alamocito Creek

It seems that while staying at the cabin on Horse Mountain the nearest place to see aspens in relative abundance is on Mangas Mountain. Last October year we tried to get a peek at them in their fall color. There were plenty of aspens in  El Toro Canyon on the southeast side of the mountain but we were too early to see anything but green leaves.

We went out this time on the last weekend of October and we knew already the trees were going to be at their peak. Well, we didn't know for 100% sure, but we had real good feeling. So out we drove using the Patterson Canyon Road (County Road A 095) to access Forest Road 11 which goes all the way to the top of the mountain and then back down the east side where it eventually becomes the Alamocito Road  and returns to NM 12.  A  couple of words of caution should be given about the western half if FR 11 (the eastern half has some problems as well that I've discussed in previous blogs of which I will remind later). First, it is very narrow, basically one lane until reaching the top of the mountain. We were very lucky to have met the only car coming down off the mountain, along with a few of what had to be CDT hikers, at a section that allowed us to pass with relative ease. Once we started the switchbacking and sidehilling we just had to be hope for the best. Second, although it is shown as a maintained road on Forest Service maps, it is very rough in places and very steep as well. I had wished I had used four wheel drive and if there has been any moisture at all, I would strongly advise using it starting at the initial intersection.

Along the way we could see, albeit through pines and firs, beautiful pockets and clusters of golden leafed aspens. There just wasn't anyplace to pull over to even try and get a photo of them. When we finally got to level terrain at the top, after perhaps the scariest minute or two of the trip : a slippery little curve where road seemed little more that a scratch on the steep and lofty mountainside, the roadsides were lined with the yellow, sometimes tinged with red, leafed trees. It was perfect and just what we wished for.

I had a hike scoped out further down the road using two canyons that I felt pretty confident would have aspens as well. We did not visit the lookout. We parked at the intersection of FR 11 and FR 4191Q, crossed the road and went down the hillside to the abandoned road at the bottom of the little canyon. As we walked there was the occasional aspen or oak amongst the pines to brighten our outing.

 

When we got down to FR 11, we hike just short ways before turning up a second abandoned road that followed a second canyon. Both of these canyons are headwater branches of the North Fork Alamocito Creek, but this second  one, where Indian Spring is located, looks like it carries significantly more flow during wet times of the year. That being so, it also contain many more aspens than the first.  We ambled uphill, snapping pictures as we pleased.

 At the top we had to use FR 11 to complete our loop. It was open and sunny, a bit too warm for this type of road walking, and a little longer than we would've liked, but it was all good when we made it back to the 4Runner. We decided to head downhill and east on FR 11 rather than go back the way we came.  We had our lunch at a grassy clearing near Alamocito Tank. 

Here is where the road, now lined with aspens as well, begins to follow the stream course of North Fork Alamocito Creek. It is slow going, as the canyon narrows and the road gets rougher and rougher especially at the crossings where there is no more surface just bare rocks. It gets better once you reach a small inholding of private property and after to the Forest Service boundary.

The North Fork has permanent water after it crosses onto private ranch property. This gives life to a true riparian bosque. Huge cottonwoods and oaks in full fall color made for a very scenic drive as we headed back to NM 12