Yesterday I ran my own half marathon at Holcomb Valley.
Let’s call it Run for a Cure (To find out why Amber is so stinky)
Turns out the answer was just cheese.
Anyways…
It was such an exhilarating morning run through an empty autumn forest. I saw three cars full of people during my three hours of running. That was it. How awesome is that? They were all super nice, and helpful as well, which was nice, as my GPS on my phone was not working at all and I really had no idea where I was heading.
Here are the top ten best moments of Holcomb Valley.
1. Finding random grave sites.
Every where.
Why don’t they just call Holcomb Valley, Holcomb Death Land?
I’m assuming these were all dead miners? Some of the more scenic graves were labeled, such as this one, John, apparently.
This was on the John Bull trail so I would assume John was a rancher in the area?
2. The terrifyingly random yet scary ranches that seemed out of the Blair Witch Project.
There was also a kids Playschool play ground right next to this.
In the middle of the forest.
In the middle of no where.
So random the mountains are.
3. The silence
I didn’t see any animals, besides a red tailed hawk. I heard few birds. Just a little wind and besides that silence. Most of the time, I felt like I was the only one in this entire valley.
4. Until I met a truck full of gold miners.
The pappies…. I mean random gold miners.
They were nice mountain men, who did not attack me with pick axes, so I would call that a win.
Comments
The bit about the not being attached by pick – axes. Made me laugh. So: I realize I’ve developed this irrational (it is irrational, right?)fear of encountering a mountain lion while I’m on a NM trail. One that’s not just going to walk on by. What is your thought process about such creature encounters, and do you carry any defensive tools?
I read a book, wrote in ’92, saying there were at the time something like under twenty cougars in my entire mountain range. Going by those numbers, I think the chances are pretty slim. I do carry mace and a box cutter at all times for protection. I’m more concerned about rattle snakes than any other creatures.
beautiful and eerie just the same.
Ah, box cutters. Never thought about those – easy and fast to open. Here in NM, cougars are in sufficient number that you can shoot one just because it’s Tuesday if you see one. Funny, I don’t worry at all about rattlesnakes, tho they are also in abundance here.
Hello Amber,
I have spent the summers in that area. That playground you came by is part of a scout camp (that my friends and I attended). The area is indeed beautiful. So glad you enjoyed your time there!
Vincent