October 10, 2016 · 5:35 am
Head ’em up; Move ’em out
If you drive the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in a clockwise direction, you exit the Carson National Forest along the northeast portion of the loop. Continuing along state road NM 38 you will see grazing land, ranches, pass by the ghost gold mining town of Elizabethtown, drive through the town of Eagle Nest where NM 38 merges into U.S. Route 64, and, after a short detour, hit Angel Fire. You may even see some wildlife along the way. We came across this little guy below after departing Angel Fire to rejoin U.S. Route 64 back to Taos.
A deer friend of mine
The panorama below was taken along the northeast portion of the Enchanted Circle heading toward Elizabethtown:
Along the Northeast portion of the Enchanted Circle
So, too was this ranch:
Ranch Country
Out of the Carson National Forest headed for Elizabeth Town
Ursula and I had been to Angel Fire before, so this one was a quick side trip without a stop for lunch:
Angel Fire Ski Resort — base: 8,600 feet; top: 2,600 meters to 10,677 feet/3,254 meters
We rejoined U.S. Route 64 and then, less than ten minutes after our encounter with the deer pictured above, we stumbled upon a scene right out of the Old West — a cattle drive. Alas, not a single 1873 Colt .45 or Winchester Model 1892 (see examples after today’s gallery below) to be seen anywhere, unfortunately:
Ranching
Move them little doggies
Herding
Modern Cowboys & Cowgirls
Cattle Drive
Horsing Around
Ranching tools of the Old West:
U.S.F.A. Rodeo copy of a Colt Single Action .45
Rossi copies of the Winchester Model 1892
Filed under Automobiles and Driving, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation
Tagged as Angel Fire, Carson National Forest, Eagle Nest, Enchanted Circle, fall foliage, New Mexico, Old West cattle drive, photography, R. Doug Wicker, Red River, Taos Loop, travel, travel photography
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