Bridal Veil Trail Redux

Beyond the Tularosa Basin, White Sands National Monument

Dr. K, Becca and I did the Bridal Veil Falls Trail again, and for the third day in a row we ran into no other hikers.  It was overcast for most of the hike, and the temperature never climbed higher than 58 F.  An intermittent wind made it feel chilly at times, but not unbearably so.  We did a good long hike--several hours worth--but were ready to head back to the ranch afterward.  There we encountered Haley and Hoss, both of whom were ready for some play.  Becca was glad to oblige them.

Is the right side of this hill barren due to overgrazing?

Red earth rich in iron oxide

A potential culprit in the overgrazing theory

An enormous Cholla, well over 6' 5"

Apricot trees in bloom near Bridal Veil Falls

Dr. K and Packrat in front of the falls

One happy hiker

Did I hear a bear?

Haley

Snoopy and the Red Baron

Hoss

Vestiges of Winter

Setting off on the Osha Trail

Spring may have sprung in the low country, but along the Osha Trail in the upper reaches of the Sacramento Mountains winter maintains a tenacious grip.  It was completely overcast for our morning trek, and the persistent wind made for a chilling experience.  Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed our hike on one of our favorite trails.  And, for the second day in a row, we ran into nobody else.  That's surprising because the Osha Trail is just outside of Cloudcroft, and generally there is always somebody hiking the loop.

Looking down toward White Sands across the Mexican Trestle

The village of Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Forging the trail ahead

Old-time trail marker

Skirting a particularly snowy stretch of trail

Dr. K tries to manage the local wolf pack

First Day of Spring

Ramp it up

Dr. K, Becca and I did a long hike on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail this morning.  We didn't see one other hiker during the entire trek.  The weather was perfect--in the mid-50s for the duration.  While the falls wasn't running high it was quite beautiful nonetheless, giving nourishment to a large number of apricot trees blossoming there.  Make sure you check out part two of this post to see some videos of the adventure.

Commander waits at the trailhead

Bridge over Fresnal Creek

Long-abandoned railroad trestle

Juniper-studded hills, pine-covered mountains

Don't ever fall into this bush because . . .

it's Allthorn

This looks man made, but it isn't

We'll be down there soon

The happiest hiking companion

Headed to the falls

I'm always intrigued by this abandoned ranch in the middle of nowhere

Apricot trees blooming at the base of Bridal Veil Falls

Closeup of Apricot blossoms

Bridal Veil Falls videos

Three videos from our trek on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail.

In the High Country Again

Dr. K lined up for the firing squad

We've been at our place in High Rolls since about 3:00 p.m.  Becca had the distinct pleasure of playing with her buddies Champ, Haley and Hoss when we arrived.  Hoss has finally stopped smelling like the skunk spray from the one who got him.  They all had a good time before the three of them trudged back to their nearby home.  Our hot water has a rotten-egg smell from the aluminum anode in the new water heater we installed recently interacting with the water from our well.  It will take about a day before the odor dissipates.  In the meantime we feel as if we've been locked in a room with a ton of hardboiled eggs.

Living on the edge

Notice the attire; still chilly up here

Headed up the gravel drive

The Sacramento Mountains near Haynes Canyon

Becca and the pumphouse

One of the swankier homes in the area

Perched on the ridge

Elk scat on our property

Stepping Out on Monday

The new Centennial High School in the distance

It was much cooler when Becca and I set off for Tortugas Mountain this morning.  We got in a long trek before encountering other hikers.  We crossed paths with two very attractive young women (the local college must be on spring break) who made cooing noises at Becca and who nearly made me retch with the sickly perfume one or the other had bathed in.  Honestly, it was quite horrific.  Both women were rather "dolled up," and it made me wonder why anyone would go hiking like that.  Of course, I routinely find cigarette butts alongside the trails.  Hiking and smoking?

A budding Mormon Tea plant (Ephedra viridis)

Dropping down out of the mountain foothills

Looking for varmints

Looking back at a huge varmint

The dead head of a Soaptree Yucca

Yucca yesteryear (foreground)

What monster is this?

When a dog marks her territory on the shadow of your head . . .