Panchuela Campground is closed from May 4 to September 30th

Jack’s Creek Campground and Horsecamp is also closed until September 30th, as is the road to Jack’s Creek from Cowles. Per the Closure order: “The Described Road is in San Miguel County, north of Cowles, New Mexico, at the junction of New Mexico State Road 63 and NFS Road 555 starting at the middle gate toward the Jacks Creek Campground and Equestrian Area.” See the map inset below for visual explanation.

I am always grateful for maintenance work, but this closes two of the major access points/areas for the SF2T and the Pecos Wilderness for most of the season. Panchuela is almost exactly one-third of the way along the NOBO route from Santa Fe. It had up to two weeks overnight paid parking, at least six campsites, and in prior years has had a campsite host. Losing it for the season is no small thing.

Still, the bright side: Later this season we will have some nice improvements to the water systems and the vault toilets at these two major campgrounds and Pecos Wilderness departure points.

The Pecos Ranger station is hopeful the work will be done before September 30th. So check for updates, but be very clear: Until the Forest Supervisor rescinds this order, these areas are no-go. This closure affects the trailheads, so you cannot just park at Cowles and then walk into Panchuela or Jack’s Creek Campgrounds to get to the trailheads.

Per the Closure notice:

“Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited
on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and roads in and around the Field Tract
Campground, Panchuela Campground, and Jacks Creek Campground and Equestrian
Area…”

• Going into or being in Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
• Being on the Described Roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).”

That reads pretty plainly that we cannot walk through these campsites and areas at all.

Other noteworthy language in the closure notice:

• “A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. “

• “Contact the Pecos Ranger Station in Pecos, NM, (505) 757-6121, and Santa Fe
  National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Santa Fe, NM, (505) 438-5300, for more
  information about this Order.”

So what now?

The best alternate access point for SF2T hikers is to come down Winsor Ridge Trail into Cowles/Cowles Ponds area. There are two small parking lots there and an emergency phone. Not a great place for long-term parking though – this is a high-use fishing area and departure point. The parking lots are often full, especially on weekends. With these closures those lots may become quite packed.

The Holy Ghost trailhead and trail might also work, but it’s a long hike up/down Holy Ghost to get to the SF2T route.

You can also get into the Pecos Wilderness from Iron Gate Campground, but it’s quite a ways from the route of the SF2T and you’ll need a vehicle that can handle the very rough road to it. Think 4 wheel drive, high-carriage, with upgraded tires. But the parking is free.