First Section of the Rim Trail

Setting off on the Rim Trail

Dr. K, Becca and I did a semi-long hike on the first section of the Rim Trail (T-105) early this morning, and the only people we saw was a church group at the Slide Group Campground.  The hiking weather was near-perfect:  low 60s with a mild breeze.  Toward the end of the trek we even got sprinkled on a little.  Stopped at the general store in Cloudcroft for some supplies, then pulled over at a roadside stand to buy some mountain-grown Bing cherries, which are absolutely delicious.

Through the denser forest . . .

to the exposed western escarpment

and back into the woods

Indian Paintbrush

Sierra Blanca (12,001 feet)

Becca and Packrat

Dr. K and Becca

In the distance White Sands National Monument

180-degree loop on the trail

Watching the skies

Squirrel up a tree

Commander waits

Mountain rose