Everything Jemez
Fenton Lake reopened with a bang Saturday, July 30th. Most anglers reported catching limits of nice sized Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. Some up to eighteen inches.
Most baits were working Saturday and Sunday but worms and Salmon/Peach Powerbait seemed to be the hottest.
The new Spence Hot Springs parking lot and access trail were opened today (Sat July 30th) in conjunction with the reopening of the Santa Fe National Forest. The parking area has been improved, paved and striped for seven parking spots. This renovation has greatly reduced the parking capacity of this popular area and according to the forest service, will greatly reduce the use and overuse of the Spence Hot Springs. It is also designed to reduce the threat of flooding and trail erosion.
Just in time for the forest reopening tomorrow (Sat July 30th) we are receiving more beneficial rain. Slow, steady and widespread rain has been falling for at least two hours. The best part is that the west side of the Jemez is getting soaked today, which has not really been the case so far during this monsoon season.
According to sources, a decision was made yesterday (Wed Jul 27) to reopen the Santa Fe National Forest effective Saturday, July 30th.
The forest will revert to stage I fire resrtictions. All campgrounds will be opened, all forest roads will be opened, all picnic areas and fishing access areas will be opened. Stage 1 fire restrictions will be in place, which means campfires will be allowed only in designated campgrounds and picnic areas. Gas and propane stoves, and grills are allowed throughout the forest.
In my opinion, the delay in reopening the forest, is caution, caution, caution. With the Las Conchas Fire ( the largest in the State’s history) still smoldering after consuming nearly 157,000 acres, the last thing the Forest Service wants to do is open the forest prematurely. Should another fire erupt, it would be a publicRead more about Caution is the Word[…]
The trend the last week or so is for better rain chances in the Jemez Mountains. So far it has been pretty spotty. Feast or famine….some getting a few sprinkles and some getting significant amounts. Here in La Cueva at the store, yesterday I measured eight tenths of an inch. The first measurable rain thatRead more about Rain in the Jemez[…]
Because of the large amount of smoke in the area being generated on the southwest edge of the Las Conchas Fire, concerns have been raised and questions asked. This smoke is from a backburn operation that is going as planned. Yesterday evening beginning about 6 pm, fire personnel lit a 400 foot wide strip ofRead more about Las Conchas Fire Update[…]
Not a lot of changes up here in the Jemez. There is still a full closure of the Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District. Fenton Lake State Park remains closed as well. Everything is quiet…too quiet. We have had some rain, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Total of about half inch here at theRead more about No News is Good News??[…]
From the Jemez Mountain Electric Co-op…”Due to the recent Las Conchas forest fire in the Jemez Mountains and the state mandated closure of all NM state parks, the JMEC Board of Trustees has made a decision to hold this year’s Annual Meeting in Espanola. This year’s Annual Meeting will take place in Espanola, New Mexico.Read more about JMEC 2011 Annual Membership Meeting Location Change[…]
Due to the extreme fire danger, the forest closure and the Las Conchas fire, the 21st annual Kids Fishing Day scheduled for Saturday July 23rd has been cancelled. Hosted by NM Department of Game & Fish, Santa Fe National Forest, US Fish and Wildlife Service and others, Kids Fishing Day has always been a popularRead more about Kids Fishing Day Cancelled[…]