McGaffey and Fort Wingate

Above, at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I took a Jeep drive up through Six Mile Canyon to McGaffey Lake Recreational Area. 

The lake was very low due to the drought. It was more like a mudhole. There were some people along the lake's edge. It looked like they were fishing, or trying to.

From there I drove along New Mexico Highway 400 towards the national forest campgrounds and, eventually, Interstate 40. 

In Fort Wingate, I stopped at the Veterans Park and snapped some photos, including a historical marker sign. From there, I drove on to Historical Route 66 that parallels Interstate 40. At Iyanbito, I got onto the Interstate as Route 66 ended there and drove it to Jamestown.

All in all, it was an enjoyable drive. Some photos below.

Above, McGaffey Lake, or what's left of it. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on NM-400 going north near the campgrounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly at McGaffey Lake.

Above, on NM-400 near Quaking Aspen Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, at Veterans Park in Fort Wingate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a historical marker at Fort Wingate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, heading east on Historic Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jeep T-Shirt

 Hmm. Maybe I should get one of these shirts!

Above, yours truly at McGaffey Lake in 2024. 

Drive To McGaffey

Above, McGaffey Lake today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After this morning's coffee/breakfast with the gang and watering the front yard trees, I decided to take a drive to McGaffey Recreation Area in the Cibola National Forest.

To get to McGaffey, I took Six Mile Canyon Road through Six Mile Canyon. The weather was pleasant (although a little windy) and the road was in good shape.

Once I got to McGaffey, I noticed that McGaffey Lake was pretty low. We hadn't received much precipitation this year. Hopefully the monsoon season (that starts in June) will add much more water to it.

Outside of trucks hauling dirt or gravel, I was the only one in McGaffey. I did drive around some ranch areas to the east. But turned around as the trucks were kicking up too much dirt. 

Still, I had a great time during this drive and did take a few pictures.

 

Six Mile Canyon: The Gate's Open!

Above, the gate to Six Mile Canyon is open. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After our Tuesday morning coffee at Denny's today, I took a detour on the way home to check out the main gate to Six Mile Canyon, known locally as "The Playground."

I am happy to report that the gate is open to allow vehicles (ATV, side-by-side, Jeeps) into the canyon.

So now I can drive the Jeep into the canyon and drive all the way to McGaffey Lake.

Drive To McGaffey

Above, McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A storm is supposed to hit the area starting tomorrow with rain or snow (or both). I just fired up the house heater (propane). This was the first time I've done so during the evening this season. The clouds are already gathering in the area.

With that in mind, I decided to take a Jeep drive up to McGaffey and the area near it. It has been a while since I last did so. Six Mile Canyon Road traverses through Six Mile Canyon in the Cibola National Forest and ends at McGaffey, a little west of McGaffey Lake. The road will be closed December 15 to vehicle traffic for the winter.

The lake itself had water in it but it was lower than the last time I was there. 

From McGaffey Lake, I drove to some ranch area nearby to the east. One ranch was occupied, whereas it was vacant and up for sale the last time I saw it, about two or three years ago. 

I drove a little further east to where another ranch is located and turned around there. I headed back through Six Mile Canyon. There were some other drivers in the canyon as I was driving through it. Some were hauling out firewood. Hope they had permits as it is national forest land. 

It was an enjoyable ride and the Jeep ran flawlessly.

Some photos:

Above, Six Mile Canyon Road about two miles from McGaffey. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the ranch that was for sale now occupied. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly at McGaffey Lake. 

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jeepin' In Six Mile Canyon

Above, yours truly in Six Mile Canyon yesterday.

As yesterday was a nice day out, I decided to take a Jeep drive into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. 

I figured that since the Six Mile Canyon Road will be closed as of December 15 for the winter, I'd best get some recreational driving in while I can.

I saw nobody else in the canyon, so I had it all to myself. I also saw no cattle in the canyon.

I drove in and stopped at the windmill and tanks along the way. I took a few pictures and after several minutes, I headed further into the canyon.

I reached the grassy valley, which is roughly the half way point to McGaffey Lake further south. After driving the road inside the valley, I headed back out towards Jamestown. 

All in all, it was a pleasant ride. I will be doing more driving in the canyon (weather permitting) until the road is closed for the winter season.

Some photos:

Willys Jeep M38A1 Brief History

Above, my 1952 Willys M38A1 at the gate to Fort Wingate Army Depot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the businesses I use for getting parts for my 1952 Willys Jeep M38A1 is Kaiser Willys Jeep.

To date, I have obtained several replacement parts since I bought it from a friend in 2019. They include a new gasoline tank, carburetor, lug nuts (right hand and left hand turns), wiper blade and arm.

Each year, they have a photo contest and those participating have their Jeep photo included in the following year's catalog. My Jeep was included twice.

They posted a "brief history" of the Willys M38A1 on their website.

It begins with:

The Willys M38A1 was produced from 1952-1971, with a production total of 101,488 (80,290 domestic / 21,198 foreign sales). The M38A1 was the introduction of the first rounded fender Willys Jeep which predates the civilian version CJ-5 (1955) of the Universal CJ series. Following the retirement of the flat fender M38, the M38A1 was redesigned with round front fenders, a contoured hood, two-piece windshield, top mounted windshield wipers, and outfitted with the 4-134 F engine and T90 transmission. The M38A1 (MD) was stronger than its civilian counterpart (CJ-5) with a stronger frame, suspension, reversed springs shackles and a 24 volt waterproof electrical system.

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Forest Fire Near McGaffey

A fire broke out yesterday near McGaffey. 

It is situated south of Fort Wingate and Jamestown. We're keeping an eye on this.  

According to the McKinley County Fire & Rescue:

Strong work today by McKinley County Fire Rescue. We had 4 confirmed Wildland Fires today. Also had two more called in that were found to be the forest fire in McGaffey. Thank you also for assistance by Gallup Fire Department and the US Forest Service. Three are out but the Forest Service is still on scene of the Merrill Fire in McGaffey. Additional resources will be arriving in the morning. Our units were released this evening. Good job everyone.

From the McKinley County Office of Emergency Management:

Updated 5.23.25 at 2259

Fire crews have made good progress on the Merrill fire with the help of two air tanker retardant drops. USFS resources will remain on scene overnight to continue building and reinforcing containment lines.

2024: Not Bad

Above, during the horseback ride in Monument Valley.

Well, 2024 is just about wrapped up.

The year hasn't been bad for me. For one thing, nobody in the family has passed away, which is always a good thing.

Above, during a boat tour in Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Thus far, it has been a mild winter. Not much snow has fallen as of late. But there's always January and February. 

I managed to do some traveling. Two clampouts were attended. A cruise to the Bahamas was taken. Helped with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Half Marathon in Ridgway, Colorado. That was immediately followed by a trip to Monument Valley. A visit with ex-roomie Jessica in Des Moines, Iowa. That included a visit to the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in nearby Winterset. Christmas was spent with the Geriminskys in Lake Havasu. I also visited Fort Sumner, New Mexico and toured the Billy the Kid Museum and gravesite. I attended this year's G-FEST in Rosemont, Illinois (near Chicago). It was good to see everyone there.

Above, during a Jeep drive to McGaffey Lake in May.

Happily, the 2024 Election turned out the way I wanted. We even gained some ground in the New Mexico legislature during the election. That is certainly a plus!

Above. with the gang at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup.

What 2025 holds is anyone's guess, but I am optimistic.

I plan on staying home tonight. It is safer that way. 

Happy New Year!

Drive To McGaffey Lake

Above, yours truly at McGaffey Lake. 

Late this morning, I decided to take a Jeep drive to McGaffey Lake in the Cibola National Forest.

It had been two years since I last been there. When I was there, the lake was all dried up with only mud in the middle of it.

Today, the lake was full and only inches from reaching the top of the spillway. Oldtimers here have said that this has been the fullest the lake has been in years.

I took Six Mile Canyon Road through the canyon until it ended at the McGaffey Lake Recreation Area. The campgrounds haven't been opened yet. There were some people fishing. I don't know if the lake has been stocked with fish this year.

After looking over the lake, I took Highway 400 to a side road to Six Mile Canyon Road. I decided to save wear and tear on the tires by cutting 2 miles of winding road by going this way.

Naturally, I took some photos:

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Six Mile Canyon Road two miles from McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, McGaffey Lake looking east. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, McGaffey Lake looking west. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, McGaffey Lake looking north. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on Highway 400. Photo by Armand Vaquer.