High Altitude Trek

Clouds over the Sacramento Mountains

Dr. K, Becca and I got an early start on the Osha Trail this morning, and even though the Cloudcroft area got a lot of rain yesterday the trail wasn't as muddy as we thought it would be.  Since it's summer vacation season, and everybody wants to spend time in the high country, we did see ten or twelve people at various spots in the forest, but the few encounters we had were all pleasant.  After our trek it was off to Cloudcroft to dump garbage and to hit Family Dollar for supplies.

Our driveway, pumphouse in background

Opposite view of our driveway, pumphouse shadow

Waiting for her buddies to show up this morning

So that's where I am

On the Osha Trail

Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)

White Sands National Monument from the Osha Trail

Dr. K and Becca

Indian Paintbrush

Bowed by heavy snows

White Admiral

Same White Admiral

I've looked at this White Admiral from three sides now

Becca and Dr. K

Becca and Dr. K

Tree canopy with sun

Lots of Sunflowers

Helianthus?

Cone Flowers

Another tree canopy

A pair of Fritillaires

Looks like Parry's Bellflower, but not exactly

Is this a Dandelion?

More trees with sun

Aspens near the head of the Osha Trail

Village of Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Cloudcroft