In the previous episode of “RVSue and her canine crew,” Bridget and Reggie, having had a picnic and fun at Williams Creek Reservoir, look out the window of the Perfect Tow Vehicle, anxious to see where we go next!
Williams Creek Reservoir, 25 miles north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado
“Okay, get into your positions, crew. We’re going to search for boondocks.”
We drive Forest Road #640 a few miles north of the reservoir.
We pass one boondock before arriving at Cimarrona Campground which shares the same name as a mountain peak (12,577 ft.) directly to the north. The boondock is pleasant enough, although it is very unlevel.
NOTE: To see an aerial view of the mountains north of Williams Creek Reservoir, go to peakery.com.
Cimarrona Campground is 27 miles from Pagosa Springs.
It has 21 sites. Cimarrona Creek flows nearby, a short walk from the campsites, and there’s also a trailhead. Camping fees are $20 regular/$10 with senior discount.
Some of the campsites are short. This one, although close to the campground road, is shaded well.
This next site can handle a longer rig. One would step out of one’s rig to a copse of aspens and sit in deep, cool shade at the picnic table.
“Okay, I have another idea where we can look for boondocks.”
The PTV retraces her tracks south, past Williams Creek Reservoir and the campgrounds, to the junction of Forest Roads #640 and #631. Instead of turning left which would take us toward our camp, we turn right toward Weminuche Valley.
Weminuche Valley, seen from Forest Road #631
Approximately a quarter-mile past the turn for the reservoir on FR#631, a two-track, dirt lane ascends a knoll on the righthand side.
“Hey! That might be a boondock site up there!”
I park the PTV on the shoulder and set Bridget and Reggie on the ground.
“C’mon! Let’s check it out!”
What caption would you put with this photo?
We hurry up the lane and my anticipation grows with every step.
This is nice. Yes, very nice. I like this!
Is that a fire ring up ahead? I think it is!
“YES!”
I twirl around, evaluating the site.
A fire ring . . . large, open area . . . a mix of sun and shade . . . These tall Ponderosas make good shade . . . breezy . . . no rodent holes . . . no deadfalls nearby . . .The reservoir is only a few miles away . . . oh, my, a view of the valley from our back window!
Bridget and Reggie trot across the campsite, obviously pleased to be here.
I take photos from different angles.
“This shade is wonderful, isn’t it, Bridgie.”
I want to investigate further up the lane.
I call the crew to come with me. Reggie wants to go, of course, even though the afternoon sun is hot once out of the shade. Bridget stands up, sees what I have in mind, and decides otherwise.
“Where ya’ going, Bridge? Don’t you want to walk with us?”
Bridget is a lady with an independent mind.
She makes herself comfortable in cool grass in the shade.
“Okay, honey. You stay here and watch us walk up the lane. We’ll be right back.”
Gee, she’s a smart dog. She definitely knows her own mind . . . .
“C’mon, Reg.”
At the topmost rise of the lane, I discover two more campsites!
One is above “our” site and looks difficult to access. The other is on a dirt lane parallel to the one we’re on. Both sites are nice enough with some shade. I still like the first one we found the best!
I pull out my Verizon jetpack and turn it on.
Searching, searching, searching . . . Darn it! No signal at all!
The camp host at Bridge Campground told me there’s no internet signal around Williams Creek Reservoir and beyond.
Gosh, I wish he were wrong. Well, that nixes this site for us . . .
“Okay, we’re going, little guy. Bridget is waiting for us.”
At our approach Bridget gets up and joins us.
“Time to go home, sweetheart. I bet you’d like a drink before we leave.”
I take a last look at the heavenly boondock and we head back to the Perfect Tow Vehicle parked below.
As the three of us walk the lane, I notice another distant view.
I’d walk the crew in the morning and see the sun rise over that mountain. Oh, well . . . maybe someday we’ll camp here . . . . I’m glad for this day and for this place . . . and for our camp among the aspens and pines on Trail Ridge.
“Did you have fun today, guys?”
The answer to that question is obvious!
rvsue
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