Our second trip out to Tularosa, New Mexico proved to be a different experience from the first. The weather forecast changed dramatically and called for marginal risk of severe thunderstorms that included large hail, damaging winds, and even a chance for a tornado! This time around, we had two separate departure groups and a stricter timeline. Our wheelers departed between 8:00 and 8:30 am from El Paso, Texas and met at a gas station in Tularosa. At the meet, we discussed the change in weather with our participants and covered some safety and event expectations. Tecolote II was a 12-mile loop that would traverse canyons, two riverbeds, steep mesas, all ahead of looming and fast approaching thunderstorms.

The rain started coming down about an hour into the trail and delayed our much-anticipated lunch break for over an hour and a half. The group navigated various obstacles and explored the sights and wonders of the basin. Our team leads kept a warry eye on the developing forecast as the group caught a break in the weather and set up camp and fired up the stoves. In all, we mustered 27 participants that included our friends from Wild West 4x4 and NM Trail Hogs along with some new faces.

Folks, Tecolote II did not disappoint, the trail turned out to be rough for some but overall was an adventure that left everyone feeling accomplished. Aside from some broken sides steps (who needs those anyways) and a punctured sidewall the event was a success. Everyone that started, finished the trail and left before the torrential downpour moved in. Thanks to the rain there was no dust, plenty of mud, and some washed vehicles on the way home! This event continued the success from our last one and set us up for even better trails in the coming months! If you missed it, don’t worry we got more events coming down the pipeline. Till next time everyone!