The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak, Bluff Springs Closures Extended, and More

Water woes continue to confound the village. Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.

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What We’re Reading: Stephanie Nakhleh on Substack

What does the Reader read? Stephanie Nakhleh’s Substack, We Can Have Nice Things.

Nakhleh is a Los Alamos-based journalist who covers housing, local government, and the systems that determine whether communities work for the people who live in them.

What to expect from New Mexico’s 30-day legislative session

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Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Lodge:

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Forest Service Extends Bluff Springs Closure

The Lincoln National Forest (LNF) has issued an extended closure order for the Bluff Springs Recreation Area located on the Sacramento Ranger District.

Illegal off-highway vehicle use and damage to sensitive riparian areas led the LNF to close large sections in August of 2025. The Forest Service announced the closures would protect natural resources while crews work on restoration and maintenance projects through 2026.

Illegal OHV use led to some closures in the Bluff Springs area.

The broader closure took effect August 12, 2025, shutting down Rio Penasco, Bluff Springs, Wills Canyon, and Agua Chiquita to dispersed camping, off-road motor vehicle use, and campfires. That order runs through August 31, 2026.

Within that larger closure sits Bluff Springs Recreation Area, which faces its own extended shutdown until December 31, 2026, or until rescinded. Forest Service engineering crews will use that time to complete annual maintenance, restoration work, and infrastructure updates. The closure affects the recreation area’s parking lot, vault toilets, and the Trail 112 bridge.

Despite the restrictions, visitors can still reach Bluff Springs for day use by taking the Willie White Trail (T113), which remains open. The trail connects to Willie White Spur and leads directly to the springs. Dispersed camping, however, remains off-limits throughout the area.

For the full closure order, please visit the USFS website’s Alerts and Closures page.

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Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Noisy Water Winery:

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Listen Up: Mountain Talk Podcast with Jonny Coker Interviews Mayor Dusty Wiley

This week, local reporter and producer Jonny Coker hosts the inaugural Mountain Talk audio/video podcast, taped at his studio in Cloudcroft.

His first guest: Mayor Dusty Wiley, Cloudcroft’s newly elected leader.

Hannah Dean joins Jonny in the mayor’s first post-election interview. Stay tuned for information on how you can catch the first episode.

Coker (L) greets Trustee Matt Willett (Center) and Mayor Dusty Wiley (R) after the January 20 council meeting.

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Texas A&M Students Pass Through Cloudcroft on 1,000-Mile Ruck March

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Wiley Era Begins with Special Meeting on Water, Staffing

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Bark Beetle Population Surge Challenges Forest Management

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The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by PVT:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

• Noisy Water Winery
  Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.

• Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
  A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza

• Osha Trail Depot
  Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures

• John R. Battle, CPA, CVA, MAFF, CMAA
  Personal & Business Taxes, Tax Planning & Consulting

• The Stove and Spa Store
  We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!

• The Lodge at Cloudcroft
  Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts

• Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
  Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul

• Laughing Leaf Dispensary
  Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf

• Instant Karma
  Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique

• Off the Beaten Path
  Eclectic gifts & original artwork

• Future Real Estate
  Raise your expectations.

• Ski Cloudcroft
  The Southern southernmost in New Mexico

• Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
  Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement

• High Altitude
  Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue

• Blushing Yucca Esthetics
  ✨ Book your glow-up today✨

• The Elk Shed
  Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery

• The PAC
  Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds

• Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
  For all the ways you love to connect

• Bre Hope Media
  Professional photo and video services

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