Abiquiu area

Old Jun 12th, 2015, 05:00 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Abiquiu area

We're renting a house with water access in Abiquiu for a week in June. I was wondering if it was a good idea to try & rent a kayak. I have a kayak back here in New England but am unsure of the water levels in the Abiquiu reservoir. We'll essentially be on the Chama river as it flows into the reservoir. Does anyone know of a place that rents kayaks and preferably would deliver or which would be convenient to pick up?

Also, any must sees? We're day hikers and plan to do Ghost Ranch and probably go down to Bandelier. Probably visit Santa Fe and maybe Taos. Any recommendations for local attractions would be appreciated.

After our wk in Abiquiu we're driving to Pagosa Springs CO for another wk so any ideas for that whole area are appreciated.
Berkshiregrl is offline  
Old Jun 12th, 2015, 05:13 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 61,800
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Both times I have seen the Chama in summer it was way too shallow to kayak.
jubilada is offline  
Old Jun 12th, 2015, 05:46 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 82,680
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
You're probably already aware of the tours of Georgia O'Keefe's home, but just in case you aren't -
http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/abiquiu-tour.html

Tickets sell out fast so get advanced reservations if you are interested.
starrs is offline  
Old Jun 12th, 2015, 06:22 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The recommended minimum flow requirements for kayaks, canoes, and rafts less than 12' is 300 cfs. For rafts over 12' in length the recommended minimum from is 500 cfs. The BLM manages a 31-mile stretch of the Rio Chama – from El Vado Ranch to the Big Eddy takeout. Another put-in/take-out spot is Chavez Canyon, which is about 22.25 miles from El Vado Ranch and 8.25 miles from the Big Eddy takeout.

You can check current flows and also find out about permits and other important info at-

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...chama_wsr.html

There are LOTS of threads here about SF and Taos, use the search box above.

Start a different post about Pagosa Springs and also search as per above.

You are coming from sea level, I'd guess. Have you hiked at altitude before? Be sure to read up on how to acclimate to altitude.

Have you been in the southwest in June before? Be sure to use hats, sunblock, Chapstick. Know that a person often doesn't realize they are getting dehydrated here since you don't sweat. Be sure to drink LOTS more water than you think you need; I highly recommend using Camelbaks.
DebitNM is offline  
Old Jun 12th, 2015, 08:04 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I, too, highly recommend the tour of Georgia O'Keefe's home that starrs linked to above. We visited the O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe the next day, and though we'd been there before, doing the tour greatly enhanced our viewing.
NewbE is offline  
Old Jun 12th, 2015, 11:35 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There used to be a huge cellphone dead spot between Abiquiu and Chama.

It may no longer exist or you may be trying to get away from the damned thing, but if you are dependent, maybe some one like Deb could update my experience.

Also, this is very, very empty country. There are lots of gravel road and some that are less than that. Map mileage has not too much to do with how long travel takes.

You cannot expect to find anything you don't bring with you when you go into the back country. What appears on the map as a settlement may be a community with no gas or groceries available. Excellent advice on hydration and solar exposure above. You don't notice you are dehydrating because it happens so subtly.

It is ungodly beautiful, by the way, and utterly Worth It.
Ackislander is offline  
Old Jun 13th, 2015, 05:11 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ack is 100% correct about drive time, lack of services in some small communities. Always fill up when you have the chance [both the car and YOU!]

I haven't been up that way in a bit, so not sure of cell phone service. IF there is any, it would be most likely Verizon. We have T Mobile and can barely get service in Santa Fe. [But it's good down here in ABQ area and GREAT in Europe - better than here!]
DebitNM is offline  
Old Jun 13th, 2015, 10:21 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Echo Amphitheater is really cool. Also, you can contact Bode's General Store in Abiquiu with any questions. They sell just about anything and everything you could need and if I remember correctly, there were kayaks there for rent. Call them to make sure:

http://www.bodes.com/

We loved the hike to Chimney Rock at Ghost Ranch. We also enjoyed hiking and climbing at Plaza Blanca (White Cliffs). Read the reviews on TripAdvisor to get exact driving directions cause it is a little confusing.

We stayed in a beautiful casita overlooking the lake and had one of the most memorable vacations ever. We stocked up on groceries and wine at Trader Joe's in Santa Fe and stopped at Bode's a few times. You are in the middle of nowhere but it is absolutely magical, especially once the sun starts to set. The colors are amazing and you really understand why Georgia O'Keefe lived and painted there.
AustinTraveler is offline  
Old Jun 18th, 2015, 05:17 PM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thx everyone. The water level is fine where we're staying. We're outside of Abiquiu and right on the water where it flows into the reservoir.

Austin, that's probably near where we're staying. Ours is the Casita del Lago and the gorgeous views were what sold me. We've been to Abiquiu before, way before, before our 16 yr old twins were born and we stayed at the Abiquiu Inn so my memory is a bit foggy. I have also saved both of those hikes as well as a few others and also want to go down to Bandelier and Los Alamos as there's some nice hiking in that area.

Unfortunately it is not turning out to be that easy to rent a kayak. I may just order a cheap one and pick it up at the Walmart on the way from Albuquerque.
Berkshiregrl is offline  
Old Jun 18th, 2015, 05:45 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This place is near me; lots of friends do excursions with them. They have rentals.

http://www.quietwaterspaddling.com/rentalskayak-fishing
DebitNM is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2015, 07:19 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Debit: Yes, I saw them. Quite a few places in ABQ rent but it's just not convenient for the return. We're going to CO from Abiquiu and so I'd have to spend several hours driving back & forth to ABQ just to return the kayak.

We'll probably do a Chama river trip and I may just have to forgo renting a kayak this time unless I can find a local who wants to rent me theirs.
Berkshiregrl is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2015, 09:28 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Did you ever call Bodes? I know they had kayaks for rent when we were there.
AustinTraveler is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
catbee
United States
12
Jan 17th, 2016 02:08 PM
happytrailstoyou
United States
5
Mar 26th, 2011 02:58 PM
adnil1962
United States
16
Mar 25th, 2011 05:56 PM
donnawho
United States
7
Jul 11th, 2009 03:09 PM
2beetles
United States
15
Jan 3rd, 2007 06:08 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -