Just Another Grand View

Just before sundown last night

Dr. K, Becca and I hit the Grand View Trail on a blustery, overcast morning and froze our tails off on the outbound leg of the hike.  We picked Becca's tail up on the way back.  Although the temperature was warmer--about 38F--it felt much colder because of the persistent wind.  That wind died for our inbound leg, however, and the trek was much more pleasant heading for the Jeep.  We drove up the mountain to Cloudcroft to dump garbage and pick up some drinking water, and the temperature was much more frigid up there.  Fortunately we didn't have to be out in the elements for too long.

Before the sun set yesterday it highlighted trees in the canyon

Sunset turns the trees gold

Gray Vireo

Three Gray Vireos

Tree along the trail

Scrub Jay

Dr. K appears to be smiling, but it's a grimace against the cold

Odd how the branches of this tree sheared off

Just another tree

Looking out at the Tularosa Basin

What's with all the Gray Vireos?

Becca heading for the cut

The cut

Long view across the basin

White Sands and the San Andres Mountains

At the base of the mountains White Sands National Monument

A closer look at White Sands

Midway ramada on the Grand View Trail

Rugged territory around High Rolls/Mountain Park

The hiker having the most fun

Mormon Tea growing cliffside

Still on the outbound leg

A look back at the Tularosa Basin

Dr. K is warmer now and, therefore, happy

White Sands from the Grand View Trail

Masterpiece on the front of a garbage dumpster in Cloudcroft

Shops along Burro Street in Cloudcroft

Cloudcroft's favorite watering hole