Community Forums

MarkK · 11-04-2018, 10:43 AM

Anyone taken a 40' DP up there?

I'm told the direct route north on 15 is not the way to go, rather go to Mimbres then follow 35 to 15 and then into the Hot Springs.

twogypsies · 11-04-2018, 01:03 PM

If coming from the east on I-25 don't take 152 west. It's very narrow, tight curves. Also, don't take Hwy 15 from 180 - 7-10% grades.

Instead, come in from I-10/180 at Deming, NM. City of Rocks State Park is very nice to park your RV and drive the toad up to Gila Cliff Dwellings.

You could also drive the motorhome take 180 to 152 to 35/15. (152 is ok from this end). You don't want to drive all the way to the Cliff Dwellings but instead, stay very closeby at Mesa campground, Lake Roberts, Gila National Forest. Some big sites there and some with electric. There's a dump station. Our favorite for our 40' MH was #16 then 15, 19, 20.

You're correct. Don't take 15 all the way up. Take 35/15.

ziaptrn · 11-04-2018, 01:17 PM

Yes we have driven to Hot Springs towing.
Your information is correct to head to Mimbres, then cut back and take 15 at the end as far as the 'best' route.
I'd recommend staying near Glenwood and then driving the toad to the Cliff Dwellings (which are must see, BTW).
Alternately, not a bad drive if you stay in Silver City and take the toad all the way up and back...certainly faster.
Enjoy!!

MarkK · 11-05-2018, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Instead, come in from I-10/180 at Deming, NM. City of Rocks State Park is very nice to park your RV and drive the toad up to Gila Cliff Dwellings.

You could also drive the motorhome take 180 to 152 to 35/15. (152 is ok from this end). You don't want to drive all the way to the Cliff Dwellings but instead, stay very closeby at Mesa campground, Lake Roberts, Gila National Forest. Some big sites there and some with electric. There's a dump station. Our favorite for our 40' MH was #16 then 15, 19, 20.

You're correct. Don't take 15 all the way up. Take 35/15.

Guess I should have explained, we're thinking about volunteering up there. The rig has to be driven up there. Either stay at the park HQ, or at the Hot Springs RV resort.

Do you see any issues?

Thank you.

MarkK · 11-05-2018, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziaptrn

Yes we have driven to Hot Springs towing.
Your information is correct to head to Mimbres, then cut back and take 15 at the end as far as the 'best' route.
Enjoy!!

Thank you for the affirmation given my other post we want to volunteer up there and will have to drive the DP all the way in.

twogypsies · 11-05-2018, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkK

Guess I should have explained, we're thinking about volunteering up there. The rig has to be driven up there. Either stay at the park HQ, or at the Hot Springs RV resort.

Do you see any issues?

Thank you.

Honestly, we don't recall the rest of the drive beyond Mesa c.g. where we stayed. It's a short distance from Mesa to Cliff Dwellings so I would think it would be just fine. Talk to both places to see what they think and ask how the road is from Mesa. Pick an 'off' day to drive in in case you have to go slow - like a Monday, Tuesday. Don't drive in on a weekend although it's not an extremely busy place but getting up to the Mesa c.g. area will be busier. That's a popular camping area.

We were also volunteers in many places and some we wouldn't purposely drive to for camping but driving it once and staying turned out to be doable for us. Coincidently, when we went to the Cliff Dwellings and were talking to the ranger, we were offered a volunteer job.... this was about 10 years ago. We had other commitments at the time. We did get most of our volunteering gigs by being there in person. We could talk to the rangers and other volunteers to get a feel of the place and the rangers could see our personalities, etc. It worked well for us.

Best of luck and have fun!!