Guess Which Trail . . .

 , , , we hiked this morning

We had to do a moderate morning hike before heading down the mountain this morning, so we did one of our favorites.  There was absolutely nobody else around.  When we got back to our place Cowboy came to greet us.  Before we left in the morning both Cowboy and Champ paid us a visit.  Becca feels blessed (I'm sure) to have so many buddies in the high country.  

Amazing clouds

The sky is clearer than yesterday

Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus growing in rock

This Hedgehog is starting to bud

Below:  the Tularosa Basin

These clouds indicate high winds aloft

Dr. K pets Cowboy

Cowboy wants a belly rub

Hey--what's going on over there?

Becca and Cowboy

What a face!

Biting Wind

View through the back window

When I first took Becca out to do her business this morning it was the coldest I've felt in some time:  25 F with a staunch wind.  Dr. K and I decided we'd all be best off if we stuck to the Grand View Trail because of the lousy conditions, and because the trailhead is only a fifteen-minute drive from our place.  The hike turned out much better than we could have hoped, primarily because we were pretty much shielded from the wind.  So even though it was cold, the sun was shining brightly, and we did a brisk trek without encountering anybody else.

About a quarter of the way on the Grand View Trail

Junipers on the edge of a rocky ravine

Warming up in the sunlight

White Sands is obscured due to heavy winds

Becca and Dr. K at the midway point (notice the haze)

Heading back

Linking Trails

Grand View Trail in shadow

Dr. K, Becca and I hiked the Grand View Trail, crossed Fresnal Canyon Road and linked up to the Bridal Veil Falls Trail in order to extend our hike.  We only did a short section of the latter trail.  The audio-less video at the bottom shows us descending the steep trail to the footbridge over the creek.  The weather was absolutely beautiful for an early-morning hike.  When we got back to the ranch we were greeted by a canine welcome wagon:  Hoss (Brown Lab), his dad, Champ (Black Lab), Hailey (Blue Heeler) and Cowboy (Australian Shepherd).

Footbridge over Fresnal Creek and railroad trestle ruins

View down Fresnal Canyon

Sign at midpoint of Grand View Trail

Becca, Hoss (left) and Cowboy (rear)

Hailey and Becca

Dr. K being mugged by Champ, Cowboy, Hailey and Hoss

Becca and Cowboy

Reminder of Winter

His and her benches on the Osha Trail

On the Osha Trail--all of which is above 9,000 feet in elevation--remnants of snow lingered  on the cold side of the Sacramento Mountains.  Where the sun hadn't reached the white stuff it was crunchy thick, but where it had been touched by sunlight it was iced over, making a good stretch of the going somewhat treacherous.  Becca, with her four-paw drive--had no trouble navigating, but we paranoid humanoids made our way cautiously on the narrow trail, as stiff as mannequins on ice skates.

Patch of sunlight in the shadowy forest

In the distance:  White Sands National Monument

Mandala shell

Snowy sniff

Snow at the base of Aspen trees

Small stand of young Aspens

How to ice a butt

Dr. K and her walking stick (Becca in background)

Commander

To the Falls and Back

On opposite sides of the gate

It was 27 F when we went out this morning, and things didn't warm up all too quickly afterwards.  Still, the sun was shining and the cold wind was really a breeze.  For a gorgeous Sunday morning on a spectacular trail in the Lincoln National Forest we were pleased to encounter only seven other people on our hike.  Just two had dogs, a man and woman with mini-canines they picked up to pass Becca.  The woman commented on how well behaved Becca was, and I immediately (accidentally) stepped on Becca's foot, causing her to let out a loud yelp.  Dr. K worried later that the man and woman probably thought we were torturing Becca into obedience.

Dr. K and Becca on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail

Waiting for the pokey humanoids

The chasm in the center of this photo . . .

. . . is where we are now

Apricot blossoms near the falls

There are many apricot trees near Bridal Veil Falls

Being Spat Upon

I didn't realize how cold it was when we started off this morning, and I was underdressed, even though I wore my black Adidas windbreaker and long pants.  Then to add insult to injury Becca and I were spit upon by an angry dark sky.  It didn't last long, however, replaced by a bitingly-cold wind.  Nevertheless, we got in a nice hike before we returned home, packed up and headed to the high country--where we are now.  It's even colder up here in High Rolls--low 40s, overcast with a fierce wind.  Yipee!

Hiking Ahead of the Wind

Becca in the bobsled run

Becca and I got in a long hike before the wind picked up.  On the way back we ran into our friend Jimmy who was heading for the top of the mountain.  Although we only saw one other guy in the outback this morning, the parking lot at the Sunset Area was really packed when we returned to our car.  Outdoor enthusiasts were getting an early start on the weekend, perhaps.

A shady break

Can you see how far ahead she is?

Plastic bag in Ocotillo (boy did I have trouble getting it out!)

Pleasant surprise: this area has been cleared of pallets and railroad ties

Beautiful morning before the winds came

There's the leader of the Pack(rat) again

 Our friend Jimmy starting up Tortugas's steep western face