GUMO or Bust!

[dkerr24]

I would add to Presidio's list of should not miss places Sitting Bull Falls. This is accessed off of NM 137 and is a neat area with lots of trails exploring the surrounding canyons.

Yep, I forgot that one...probably a freudian slip since it is a fee area and is rather busy when the weather is nice. Actually, Last Chance Canyon which is just before the SBF entrance station is virtually unused.

If you've never been to SBF it certainly is worth seeing.

So I take it I'll pass by the entrance to Sitting Bull Falls while on NM 137 headed to Dog Canyon from Carlsbad?

[presidio]

So I take it I'll pass by the entrance to Sitting Bull Falls while on NM 137 headed to Dog Canyon from Carlsbad?

Yes. It is well signed. Turn off is 2.7 mi south of the Dark Canyon intersection with 137, and 7.8 miles from 137 on a dead end road.

It's a nice introduction to the abrupt transition of the Guads from plains to canyon.

[mountaindocdanny]

The road is FR 3008 which is accessed via FR 540. It is accesible to high clearance vehicles with 4WD needed if there is any mud (not a problem this year). No real major obstacles. It is a slow road to drive and accessed much faster via mountain bike. Very easy and pleasant walk.

[Purple Prickly Pear]

dkerr24-
I spent a few days in GUMO in early October 2007.  You should check out McKittrick Canyon one day, for an easier day hike(depending on how far you want to go).  While it is super crowded in late October/early November with people checking out the leaf color, it was nearly deserted in early October. 
In addition to Lincoln National Forest which has been mentioned, there are a few trails in Carlsbad Canyon National Park.
-Purple Prickly Pear

[dkerr24]

Thanks for all the tips... I'll post a itinerary in a new thread instead of continuing Randell's thread.

[huachuca]

We spent four days in GUMO with Dog Canyon as our base in late March and had a blast.  Gary Carver (resident ranger) is a great guy and able to answer any questions you might have about the area.  If you go, take a couple of apples for his mules and tell him the folks from NC said 'Hi'.  We set our Scamp up near his corral but noticed the tent area was in a stand of pinion, juniper and scrub oak which appeared to be well protected from the wind.

As noted, Sitting Bull Falls is worth the visit.  Although its normally a fee area, one day (Wednesday I think) is a free day.

On the way into Dog Canyon just past Queen, there's a well maintained gravel road off to the left that's well worth the drive.  Great views of the valley.  Although we didn't camp there, if we'd known of these we'd had tried one of the dispersed sites for a night or two.

Lots of great hikes in the area but after last year's South Rim overnighter in the snow my wife had us restricted to day hikes only.  Lost Peak, McKittrick Canyon and the back side of Sitting Bull Falls from 137 were a few of the ones I recall.

This was our first visit but we'll definitely be back.  If we hadn't made plans for BB the following week, we'd have stayed on in GUMO/LNF area.  Hope you enjoy your time as much as we did.

Al