Osha Trail Once More

Huge tent caterpillar tent

We did yet another hike on the Osha Trail just outside of Cloudcroft before heading down the mountain for the low desert.  The sheer number of tent caterpillars in the Sacramento Mountains is amazing, and the fourth image here shows a tent teeming with the squiggly insects.  I hiked in shorts and a short-sleeve shirt this morning, and was slightly chilly in a stiff wind and temps in the low 50s.  I'm remembering that feeling now as I bake in 90-degree temperatures in the lower Chihuahuan Desert.

Malformed Whatsit flower

Sock-like caterpillar tent

Tent caterpillars galore

Cliff Rose

Becca in her favorite element

A Day on the Dunes

Mark of Arabia

We spent the better part of a day hiking the Alkali Flat Trail at White Sands National Monument. We were blessed with good weather:  not too hot with a nice stiff breeze.  Whenever I hike at White Sands I always wonder about the Spaniards who first encountered this wonder of nature.  Were they as amazed by the sight as I am each and every time I see it?

Dr. K and Carol on the dunes



The White Sands are really white gypsum



An albino lizard at White Sands National Monument

Kate and Carol:  intrepid desert hikers

Mark at a tree pedestal

Packrat at the pedestal

Mark and Carol traversing the white sand

Carol and Kate descending a large dune

White Sands Verbena

Visitors in Hubbell Canyon

Mark and Becca along the Hubbell Canyon Trail

We had a fabulous visit from my cousin, Carol (who I hadn't seen in forty years), and her husband, Mark.  We did a lot of high-altitude hiking in the beautiful Sacramento Mountains.  Here we all are on the Hubbell Canyon Trail, where Carol made the big spot of the day:  a Mexican Spotted Owl, who was content to sit and watch us fawning over it.  After our long trek we drove to the solar observatory at Sunspot and toured the facilities on the western escarpment of the mountain.


Something good is up there



Carol's big find:  a rare Mexican Spotted Owl

Dense stand of young Aspens

Four happy campers at Sunspot, New Mexico:  Mark, Carol, Kate and Bob

Pine pollen



Walk proudly my son



Images from the Osha Trail

Dr. K, Becca and I did a relaxing hike along the Osha Trail this morning.  We only saw one other person on the trail, a forest service worker carrying a huge chain saw and a can of gas.  He was taking care of two trees that had fallen across the trail because of high winds last night.  The first (image #1) was gone by the time we got back down the trail.  Becca was very suspicious of the worker because of his big chain saw, but she let him pass without incident.

Scenes From the Mountain

Cliff Rose on the Rim Trail, Sacramento Mountains

Images from a morning hike along the Rim Trail in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby in flight

Becca on the Rim Trail

Yucca blooming in the mountains

Large Horned Lizard

Chokecherry in bloom

The Lodge, Cloudcroft, New Mexico

1st and 10th tee box at the Lodge golf course

Quick Trek Before High Rolls

Becca in the shadow of a Yucca

We had to do a quick hike this morning before heading to High Rolls.  Even though we were in a hurry, Becca nonchalantly took a break in the shadow of a Yucca, which was just wide enough to accomodate her width.

Monday Quickie Hike

Foothills trail under cloudy skies

A slightly forced hike this morning because of other obligations, but Becca and I still put some mileage on our paws.  It was pleasantly cool on our trek due to a cold front that blew through last night; it brought some heavy storms to the Sacramento Mountains, and even a tornado to Socorro County.  Fortunately the tornado touched down in open land.  It has already sprinkled here a bit, and there's a possibility of more precip.

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains



Always on the lookout



Long road to Tortugas

A millipede with an inquiring mind

Soaptree Yucca in bloom (notice the hula skirt)

Yucca blossoms (left) and Ocotillo wands

A huge Cholla cactus behind our house



A dove's nest in the Cholla branches