Elliot Barker Wildlife Area

Between the Boy Scouts of America's Philmont Ranch and the Chase Ranch, there's a stranglehold on the land around Cimarron, New Mexico. Both ranches are posted to the opening of the orifice.

After a pleasant but disappointing conversation with Katie, the wrangler, I gave up on visiting the Barker Wilderness. She REALLY didn't want me to go through the Philmont Ranch property. "Four water crossings," she said. "One knee deep. We do it with the ranch truck, but I doubt your car can." She suggested I go back, past the Philmont property sign, and camp on the Chase Ranch property. But, she allowed, she probably wasn't the best person to ask about where to camp.

Neither Katie nor did anyone at the Chase Ranch know when the valley had last had cattle on it. Judging by the vegetation along the stream, it looked like it'd been a while. 

So rarely seen, at least out west, I was prompted to take the video.

BARKER not Baker! (Dummkopf!)

Moose!!

We emerged from our post-Gunnison (Colorado) meanders barely more than a minute north of Slumgullion Pass with a vague notion to connect with highway 50. Thus, we went north on highway 149 until Chance -- that kind-hearted devil -- put us on a popular overland route through the Uncompagre National Forest. 

A bee!!! A bee!!

Although many maps show 149 only going as far as Big Blue campground it does, in fact, continue around Sheep Mountain, past Big Cimmaron C.G. to emerge on highway 50 hardly more than a mile east of the hamlet of Cimarron.

Coming from 149, there's alot of private land on either side of the road afore you reach National Forest. But hit's uh purty drive an' d'road's suitable fer yer Ma's caddy.