The turnoff on Route 60, west of Magdalena.
The VLA off in the distance.
Yep, we're on Forest road 549.
We'll take a quick detour and check out Monica Cabin.
It's Monica Cabin. Not sure of its purpose, though.
Go sleep in Monica Cabin instead, it's just across the dirt road.
Destructive beetles at work.
Nice spot for a bathroom break.
This is why you take bathroom breaks every so often.
We're at Monica Saddle now, need to take a left on Forest road 138. The sign in the back warns 'Primitive Road - Not Suitable for Passenger Cars'. Yeah, kinda true.
Withington Wilderness. Cibola National Forest.
Forest road 138B heads to Mt. Withington summit. Grassy Lookout will have to wait for another day, but it will eventually meet up with Forest road 330 and finally State highway 107.
Couldn't open it to begin with, it is locked this time of year.
The ranger station.
The VLA again.
Pretty cool, a rain water collector before they became fashionable these days.
There is a corral here at the top of the mountain, not sure why.
First snow came a few days earlier.
Back on Forest road 549, heading south along Bear Trap Canyon.
It's the end of the season, I'd expect this to look better next spring.
Yep, still following the right road. Tree in the way, will have to go around to go straight, although I guess I could turn right here, maybe I'll do that next year.
Near the bottom of the canyon, lots of neat rock formations.
Another potty break.
On our way out of the canyon.
Last climb...
...and onward to State route 52. Forest road 549 is a pleasant drive through the San Mateo Mountains, not too much traffic and a few side roads to venture off on.
