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Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions

Knowledge through Wilderness Adventure

Directions to Base Camp

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From Gallup and the West

  1. Take Interstate 40 East to Thoreau (Exit 53).
  2. As you exit the interstate, turn right on to State Road 612, heading south.
  3. Base Camp is almost exactly 6.5 miles, on the right, from that stop sign. Refer to Finding Base Camp for more lyrical directions.

From Grants and the East

  1. Take Interstate 40 West to Thoreau (Exit 53).
  2. As you exit the interstate, turn left on the frontage road.
  3. At the next stop sign (~100 feet), turn left towards State Road 612 heading south (you will cross back underneath the interstate).
  4. Base Camp is almost exactly 6.5 miles, on the right, from that stop sign. Refer to Finding Base Camp for more lyrical directions.

From Chaco Canyon, Farmington and the North

  1. Take State Road 371 south towards Crownpoint and Thoreau.
  2. 371 will enter the town of Thoreau from the north, heading straight for Interstate 40.
  3. Cross underneath Interstate 40, continuing straight, and 371 becomes State Road 612.
  4. Base Camp is almost exactly 6.5 miles, on the right, from Interstate 40. Refer to Finding Base Camp for more lyrical directions.

Finding Base Camp

Base Camp is located on the western side of state road 612, south of Thoreau.

As you drive in on 612, you will wind your way up Wildcat canyon. Just before reaching the top, look for the large petrified log on your left (this is roadside geology, not a landmark — don't sweat it if you can't find it). You will crest a hill coming out of the canyon, and head back down into the plain.

Across the plain, there is a large wooded area. This is Base Camp. As you enter the trees, 612 bends to the left. Our gate is about half-way through that turn, on the right. There is a Cottonwood Gulch sign by the gate, although it is difficult to see at night.

As you enter Base Camp, please be aware of other trekkers around about. The speed limit on our driveway is 15 mph, for both your safety and ours. Parking is to the left, as you enter Base Camp proper, just past the Messhall, the QM shack (a small log cabin with a red roof) and the solar panel.