Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

End of Trail


JohnWesleyHardin

Recommended Posts

I am thinking about going to EOT.

 

My wife are planning a two week camping trip.  I live in Iowa so we are going to meander down and take our time getting back.  If I am only planning on participating in the main match when should I get there and when should I leave.

 

Also, do the spots fill up quickly?  Is it one of those deals where the spots are gone as soon as they open up?

 

Moreover, we are going to camp somewhere down there.  Any suggestions.

 

Will my wife be bored while we are there?  Anything we have to see while we are there?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi John Wesley Hardin,

 

I am thrilled that you are considering making your way to END of TRAIL! 

 

Registration for EOT will open January 1, 2019. There is an early registration discount if you register before April 1. EOT has the ability to host close to 1200 shooters, so- we simply don't "sell out". 

 

I have been working on the 'bones' of the EOT schedule and I posted it on the website a couple of days ago. Click here for a link to the EOT Schedule

In summary:

Monday/Tuesday June 17-18: Cowboy Warm Up match days

Wednesday June 19: Side Match Day

Thursday/Friday/Saturday, June 20-21-22: Cowboy Main Match 

Sunday, June 23: Top Gun shoot off and Awards ceremony

 

As far as camping goes, EOT does offer dry camping on Founders Ranch for $50 for the entire event. We also arrange water and dumping service directly to your RV for an additional charge on an as needed/scheduled basis. If you're not a fan of dry camping, there are several RV parks with full hook-ups pretty close to Founders Ranch. Again- there are great resources for lodging located on the SASS Website! Here is a direct link to the lodging page: Click here for a direct link to the EOT lodging page

 

As far as entertainment, there are a multitude of activities in the area. Ok, ok... maybe not so much in Edgewood/East Mountains area itself, but in about an hours' drive, you can visit some truly amazing sights. 

To list a few:

Santa Fe Plaza

Sandia Crest Tramway

Kasha Katuwe tent rocks

Shopping & dining

Casinos

Albuquerque Old Town

ABQ Zoo & Biopark

 

If you'd like to explore a little more of what New Mexico has to offer, you can visit: https://www.newmexico.org/

 

 

I hope this helps- if there's anything we can do here at SASS HQ to help make your trip to END of TRAIL and to the beautiful state of New Mexico a great one- just let us know!

 

I look forward to seeing you at END of TRAIL!
 

Misty Moonshine

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The match does not sell out and you can sign up pretty late.  There is dry camping onsite though I prefer the nearby Hidden Valley RV park near Tijeras for full hookups and a swimming pool at match rates.  With the cost of water and sewer service onsite Hidden Valley will actually save you cash.  There is no shortage of dry camping spots on Founder Ranch though I recommend parking on one of the first eight graveled rows in case it rains and the ranch gets muddy.  Albuquerque has plenty of interesting museums and the tram ride to Sandia Crest is memorable.  Check a travel guide like Tripadvisor for details.   I worked at the atomic museum on South Eubank and it is one of my favorite museums.  Old Town ABQ is a good tourist shopping area.  Santa Fe is interesting too if you arrive early or stay after the match.  It is an hours drive north of ABQ.

 

I would not arrive the day before the main match as a few days to get used to the altitude and low humidity will help you compete.  Most people leave Sunday after the awards ceremony.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

I would not arrive the day before the main match as a few days to get used to the altitude and low humidity will help you compete.  Most people leave Sunday after the awards ceremony.

 

Let me second that.   While it can be quite hot at EoT, there is basically no humidity.  Don't fall into the trap of "it's a dry heat."  Doing so can be quite dangerous.   Being from New England, where the summer will get up into the 90's with super high humidity, I actually found the high 90's low 100's with no humidity of EoT to be pleasant by comparison.  You've got to remember to drink a lot of water.   I have to admit that one day, I neglected to do so, and while it did not over affect me in a bad way, it was noticeable to a few that I was on the edge.   From that point on I was extra careful.   But, there was also a fellow on our posse who DID get affected in a bad way by the heat.   We had to get him medical help it was so bad.   He did recover, but it was not a pleasant thing to watch. 

 

As far as the altitude goes, Founders ranch is about 2000 feet HIGHER up than Denver.   I never really get used to the thinner air.  That took more out of me than anything else, so if you have a chance to acclimate, then by all means do so.

 

All of that being said, I had a great time at EoT a coupla years ago.  Met some great folks and really enjoyed myself.   Got some good natured ribbing for using a 30" barrel shotgun and a Lightning, but I shot the match clean.  (My first ever!)   If you can make it, go!  It is definitely worth going.   If there was any one thing I could make be different, I'd donate a piano to the Cowboy Chapel and make sure there was someone to play it and the old pumper organ they have there already.   But I don't have that kind of money!

 

Good luck!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Arriving a bit early is probably one of the best pieces of advice there is. Getting up to that altitude takes some adjustment and some folks handle it better than others. Once you’re there you can base camp at the ranch and explore from there unless of course you’d like full hook up camping and there are nice RV parks near by. Once the match starts there are usually activities each evening that are fun to attend and your wife may enjoy them also. During the day there’s plenty to do in ABQ and then on up to Santa Fe and Taos. 

 

One thing for sure is this EOT will be the best one yet. Misty and her crew manage to make it better every year and one first timer that I drug along with me last year plans on making it an annual event, he enjoyed it so much and he didn’t even shoot the match. If you decide to make the trip be sure and stop and say howdy up at the main gate, I’d love to meet you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As others have said, get there early to get acclimated. Use a sinus rinse so you don't have nose bleeds, lack of humidity and altitude take a little getting used to. We usually arrive on Sunday, shoot some warm-ups on Monday and Tuesday just to get used to the heat and thin air. While there be sure to eat at Chili Hills and try some SASS pie and try Pizza Barn for some great pizza.  EOT is a great experience so allow enough time to enjoy it.

 

Randy 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said:

Go to EOT!!!!

 

It's soooooooo much fun!!!!!!!

 

:D

Phantom nailed it, as usual.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's lots of great scenic drives in the area, up the Crest Road on the backside of Sandia Crest.  Further up North 14 to the funky little town of Madrid (once a mining town, but now a collection of art galleries and turquoise jewelry shops).  North 14 is also the best way to get to Santa Fe, it avoids the interstates.  Down south on 337 there are the Salt Missions ruins.  For more of a day trip, going up through the Jemez to the Valles Caldera is a beautiful drive. 

 

Another local restaurant of note is Burger Boy on North 14 in Cedar Crest, where you can sample the world's best (IMO) green chile cheeseburger.

 

I'm up at the shotgun / sporting clays range at Founder's and would be happy to provide directions to any of these places.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Shotgun Clay said:

 

I'm up at the shotgun / sporting clays range at Founder's and would be happy to provide directions to any of these places.

Shotgun Clay forgot to mention the fun you can have at the shotgun range at EOT. Its a

splendid place to spend the afternoon IMO:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.