Backpacker Magazine – September 2009

Rip & Go: Wheeler Peak Loop - Wheeler Peak Wilderness, NM

Connect alpine lakes and tag three summits on this wildflower- and wildlife-packed loop.

by: Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan

Tags:
• New Mexico
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• Destinations
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• RipGo
|

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On the Menu
Breakfast 1
On the road
Snack
Trail mix
Lunches 1 & 2
PB & honey bagel
Dinner 1
Old Mike's Rice
Breakfasts 2 & 3
Oatmeal
Snack 2
Energy bar and beef jerky
Dinner 2
Wheeler Quesadillas

Old Mike's Rice
A super-easy dish that packs a punch

2 cups instant rice
4-ounce can chopped green chiles
5-ounce can chicken
1 chicken bouillon cube
4 ounces pepper jack cheese

Bring two cups of water to a boil; add rice, chiles, chicken, and bouillon cube, stirring to break up cube. Cover and simmer five minutes. Finely chop cheese; sprinkle on rice, then eat.

Wheeler Quesadillas
Can't stop with just one

8 corn tortillas
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
4 ounces pepper jack cheese
1 cup salsa
2 teaspoons olive oil

Finely chop cheese and chipotle pepper. Place a tortilla in lightly oiled skillet; top with pepper, cheese, and salsa. Heat until cheese melts, then fold tortilla and flip. Toast opposite side, then eat. Repeat.

The Grocery List (Aisle #) in nearest store below
1 pack trail mix (4)
1 pack beef jerky (4)
2 bagels (5)
4 packs oatmeal (6)
4 energy bars (6)
7 oz. chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (7)
8-oz. jar salsa (7)
4-oz. can green chiles (7)
5-oz. can chicken (8)
1 chicken bouillon cube (8)
1 box instant rice (8)
8-oz. jar peanut
butter (9)
1 jar honey (9)
1 pack corn tortillas (dairy)
8 oz. pepper jack cheese (dairy)
Pack olive oil

Nearest Grocery Store
Der Market Food Store
307 West Main Street, Red River, NM; (575) 754-2974; dermarktfoodstore.com

Pit Stop
On the way out of town, grab a jumbo Middle Fork Pork burrito with a side of fresh guacamole at Tia Buena's. And don't miss the obligatory slathering of piquant red or green chile on top. 325 W. Main St., Red River, NM; (575) 754-6577

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