Day Trip
The pines at Bluewater Creek Picnic Ground are a short journey away

This is the first glimpse people see of Bluewater Lake's south shore, near Mile Marker 11 on State Hwy. 612, on the way to the Bluewater Creek Primitive Picnic Ground which is about 2.5 miles beyond the end of the highway pavement of Bluewater Acres. [Photo by Jim Maniaci/Independent]

By Jim Maniaci
Staff Writer

The U.S. Forest Service's Bluewater Creek Primitive Picnic Ground is about 2.5 miles beyond the end of the pavement of State Hwy. 61. [Photo by Jim Maniaci/Independent]

CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST — Before the snow arrives, people wanting to enjoy a fall picnic can have a very special treat in the Mount Taylor Ranger District in the tall pines only a few miles from the south shore of Bluewater Lake.

But you need to do it soon, as the gate will be locked Oct. 30. Otherwise you will have to wait until mid-May, when it is scheduled to be reopened.

So pack your picnic basket before winter attacks the area at 7,500 feet elevation. And bring your own water and Porta-Potty, as well as tables and blankets, for the Bluewater Creek Primitive Picnic Ground has no prepared metal fire rings there is one ring of rocks or picnic tables. On a recent Sunday morning, the restrooms were locked.

Coming from either Gallup or Grants, it is reached by a nice two-lane graded and graveled road, Forest Road 178, with Forest Service maps showing it connecting with Forest Road 180 which comes out near Bluewater Village. The forestry road continues directly from the two-lane pavement of State Hwy. 612 from Exit 53 on Interstate 40 at Thoreau.

You quickly climb through trees and small canyons which only give a hint of what you'll find about 10 miles farther on. This little tease of topography abruptly ends after about four miles and you broach a pleasant valley with a ranch. The state Transportation Department is repaving the highway and has reached about half the distance to the Bluewater Acres settlement beyond the southeastern end of Bluewater Lake.

Route 612 winds its way 13.25 miles south to the Zuni Mountains, ending many miles north of where the creek's headwaters are located far upstream. At the far end of Bluewater Acres, the pavement ends. That's because at the Cibola National Forest boundary cattleguard it turns into the well-maintained graded and graveled federal road. From the cattleguard it is 2.25 miles to the picnic turnoff, just past the bridge which carries traffic over the creek.

Leaving Bluewater Acres, first you will pass the Fossil Firewood Cutting Area, which is on top of the creek's steep canyon walls. The road snakes its way down the west side of the canyon, providing great views of the rugged east canyon walls painted with natural patina and gorgeous tall pine trees posted in terraces like sentinels.

In less than a mile, a new world unfolds with the creek far down the cliff looking like a thin ribbon winding its way toward Bluewater Lake to the north. The road makes a 90-degree bend as its descent becomes noticeable. There's a small pullout, a good spot to take pictures.

Once you've enjoyed your picnic, you can hike for several miles along the east side of the creek where the trees are spaced apart so much it looks like a long meadow. Or you can make like a bighorn sheep and scramble up the ledge to the west.

This time of the year, though, be sure to bring your warm boots, jackets, coats, scarves, gloves and umbrellas, for the black clouds can build quickly and be blown in by strong winds before you know it, abruptly dropping the temperatures and soaking you to the skin.

There is no admission fee, only the cost of the gas, for a quiet delight less than a half-hour from the noisy, rushing freeway.

To contact reporter Jim Maniaci in Grants, telephone 285-6184 or (505) 870-7775 (cell).