The Field Station Site

Facilities

---

The Field Station buildings include a dining / instruction hall, two dormitories, a men’s and women’s lavatory, and a storage shed. Three levels of decks, including a large covered deck, connect the dining hall and the dorms. A number of cots with sleeping pads are available for visitor use in the dorms or on the decks. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own tents if they wish; there is ample room in the meadow to accommodate tents or tent campers.

The dining / instruction hall has an attached covered cook deck with refrigerator, outdoor cooking equipment, a microwave and generator for visitors’ use. The Field Station does not provide meal service, but local catering can be arranged by request, at cost, with advance notice. Otherwise visitors should bring their own meals. Cooking equipment and eating utensils, a drinking water purification system, and cleaning supplies are available in the dining hall. Large indoor tables and chairs are available for eating, lecture and study. A number of outdoor tables and woodstove are available for outdoor relaxation.

The Reynolds Field Station is Off The Grid. There is good connectivity for T-Mobile customers a short distance up the Reynolds’ private road from the Field Station, but there is no cellular service down in the meadow where the Field Station is located.

Electrification (indoor lighting and wall plugs), and installation of running water to sinks for washing up and cleaning cookware are scheduled for completion in 2024.

Visitor Requirements

---

The Reynolds Field Station (RFS) welcomes universities of all sizes, museums, natural history institutions, educators and their students at all levels, researchers and conservationists. All visitors and participants are required to schedule in advance with RFS through our Contact Us options. Professional research is by invitation from RFS management, and can be requested through our Contact Us options.

Due to the Field Station’s high altitude and rugged terrain, visitors must be physically fit to engage in activities occurring there. Visitors with pre-existing conditions must be medically cleared to participate in events at high elevations, and must make RFS management aware of any conditions that could put themselves at risk by their participation. The Programs at RFS are medically unsupervised, and the Field Station may be unmanned during selected research activities. A signed waiver and release is required for all visitors prior to arrival.

A PHI Air Medical helicopter medevac and air ambulance landing zone is located adjacent to the Field Station for emergency transport, should the need arise. Optional membership from PHI Cares is available that offers coverage for transport by PHI Air Medical for a nominal fee.

Scheduled visitors will receive information about safety, recommended equipment, and climate prior to their participation. They should arrive equipped accordingly, and should plan to spend time acclimating to the altitude at the beginning of their stay. Altitudes up to 8,000 feet above sea level, and drier, thinner air may induce altitude-related symptoms. Exposure to strong sun, cold or heat, wind, and extreme weather conditions should be anticipated in equipment visitors bring with them. Supportive hiking boots are advised for rocky, precipitous terrain.

RFS has loaner 2-way radios, first aid and other equipment that can be checked out for the duration of a visit by an adult responsible for their group. A limited number of loaner walking / hiking sticks can also be checked out. After completion of a required training session for adult drivers only, a 6-seat all-terrain vehicle can be checked out to transport groups around the Field Station. Due to the natural wilderness environment of the Field Station, RFS enforces a two-man rule for all excursions away from base camp, and an in-person or video briefing of key safety practices and information is required.

Getting There

---

Detailed driving directions to the Field Station will be provided upon scheduling. Forest Road (FR) 6A between US 60 and the Reynolds’ private road is a dirt road best navigated in all-wheel-drive vehicles. All but the last 1 1⁄2 miles of 6A to the Field Station is maintained by Catron County, but there may be times when weather conditions such as heavy monsoon rains and seasonal snows make it impassable. RFS is not responsible for the condition of FR 6A, but will endeavor to keep visitors informed of road conditions the day prior to their arrival. Visitors should exercise prudent judgment in traveling on FR 6A in inclement weather.

Visits will not be scheduled at peak monsoon or winter snow periods. The field season at RFS is generally from April through late June / mid July, and early September through November, depending on the onset and end of monsoon rains and winter snows.