Recreation

Weekly Fishing Report: Nov. 19, 2024 

by

By GEORGE MORSE
Sports and Outdoors
Los Alamos Daily Post 

High elevation lakes will likely soon freeze over and be hard to access due to snow. Lakes that usually freeze over and offer ice fishing include Eagle Nest, Lake Maloya, Lake Alice, Fenton Lake and sometimes Heron Lake. This usually happens in December.

This time of year it’s always a good idea to call ahead to check on conditions.

Navajo Lake does not freeze over and remains open all winter. The San Juan River below Navajo Dam has excellent winter fishing and a little bit more elbow room during this time of year.

Streamflows remain higher Read More

New Mexico Cultural Affairs Budget Expands Cultural Diversity And Preserves Heritage

by

NMDCA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), has proposed a $48.8 million General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2026, emphasizing its role as the nation’s largest and most diverse state cultural agency.

“This budget is a commitment to safeguarding New Mexico’s identity, supporting our creative economy, and providing world-class educational resources,” Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego said. “By investing in our state’s cultural legacy, we invest in the people of New Mexico and ensure that our past informs a vibrant future.”

The request represents a 10% Read More

BLM To Begin Selling Christmas Tree Permits In New Mexico

by

SANTA FE – Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices will begin selling personal Christmas tree permits for harvest of piñon and juniper.

Permits will be available beginning Nov. 20 for the Farmington and Taos Field Offices and New Mexico State Office, Nov. 29 for the Socorro Field Office and Dec. 2 for the Rio Puerco Field Office.

The permits must be purchased before Dec. 24. The cost per tree is $5. Permits and maps may be obtained over the counter at your local BLM Office or online for some locations at forestproducts.blm.gov.

If purchasing online, you must have access to a printer for printing Read More

Valles Caldera To Resume Collecting Entrance Fees In 2025

by

One of the park’s new orientation signs overlooking Valle Grande. Photo by D. Krueger/NPS

VCNP News: 

JEMEZ SPRINGS – The National Park Service will resume the collection of park entrance fees at Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

VCNP will be able to retain 100 percent of the fees collected in the park for use on projects that directly benefit park visitors, including road, trail and trailhead improvements.

With this change, the NPS will also eliminate separate fees for fishing in the park. During a public comment period held this past summer, over two-thirds of Read More

Posts From The Road: San Juan Mountains Scenery

by

Ranch Land: Cattle ranching is prevalent in the San Juan Mountains north of Pagosa, Colo. Shown is a herd of cattle grazing in the high meadow grasslands surrounded by high mountain peaks in all directions. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Calm Waters: Calm waters create a mirror reflection of nearby trees at Williams Reservoir in the San Juan Mountains about 25 miles north of Pagosa, Colo. This was a small, calm inlet spotted on the south end of the reservoir but the beautiful reflections made it easy to spot. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly of Read More

Mountaineers On Staying Alive In Avalanche Country Nov. 19

by

Setting off into the winter backcountry, looking forward to natural wonders, but also carrying a healthy respect for avalanche danger. Courtesy/LAM

By WILLIAM PRIEDHORSKY
Los Alamos Mountaineers

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Los Alamos Mountaineers will meet on the third Tuesday of the month, Nov. 19. The social hour, with cookies, begins at 6:45 p.m. followed at 7 p.m. with the program.

At this month’s meeting, Rick Rubio will discuss key aspects of avalanche safety, including how to recognize and avoid avalanche danger. Avalanche is a significant danger for winter activities Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Shares Latest On Prescribed Burns

by

Ignitions are complete on pile burns in Jemez and Coyote Ranger Districts. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — On Saturday, fire managers from the Jemez Ranger District completed the 43-acre Triangle pile burn project. This project is near the community of La Cueva, adjacent to Forest Road 376 and Forest Road 604.

Meanwhile, fire managers from the Coyote Ranger District finished the 95-acre Gobernador pile burn unit, at the northern end of the district near Forest Road 169.

On Friday, the Española Ranger District completed 10 acres of the 52-acre North Ridge pile burn unit, part of the Hyde Park Read More

Early Winter Birding At Los Luceros’ ‘Dawn Until Dusk’ Day

by

Los Luceros Historic Site at 253 County Road 41 in Alcalde. Courtesy/LLHS

Los Luceros News:

The morning sunrise is a beautiful time to enjoy Los Luceros Historic Site and see various birds, including wintering sandhill cranes, as well as enjoy the historic buildings and farm.

Los Luceros offers extended hours from sunrise to sunset on the first Sunday of each month. This is a great time of year for visitors to see wintering birds including sandhill cranes, bald eagles, magpies, red-tailed hawks, mourning doves, ravens, crows, juncos and various species of finches.

Guests can explore the visitor Read More

Los Amigos De Valles Caldera Seeks Board Members

by

Valles Caldera National Preserve, Courtesy/VCNP

Los Amigos de Valles Caldera News:

Do you love nature and the outdoor experience? Are you interested in supporting Valles Caldera National Preserve? Then consider joining the Board of Los Amigos de Valles Caldera.

Los Amigos de Valles Caldera is seeking qualified and interested people to serve on the board to help  plan for the future. As the official “friends” group of Valles Caldera National Preserve, the board supports  the Preserve for present and future generations through outreach, education, restoration and collaboration. They Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Pile Burn Ignitions Begin Today

by

Prescribed pile burn ignitions begin today in the Jemez and Cuba Ranger Districts and Friday in the Española Ranger District. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Prescribed pile burn ignitions will begin today, Nov. 14, in the Jemez and Cuba Ranger Districts, and Friday, Nov. 15, in the Española Ranger District.

Pile burning is meant to treat slash such as branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim to reduce flammable fuels and mitigate the risk of large high intensity wildfires.

The decision to proceed with each pile burn depends on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, Read More