Santa Fe Baldy and Lake Katharine – 12,622 feet – Pecos Wilderness New Mexico
This is part three of our 4 day hike in the Pecos Wilderness - New Mexico. Read Part One - Hiking to Lake Johnson. and Part Two - Lake Katharine.What is it about water we find so amazing. We are drawn to it in nature in all its forms. Low lying fog, sun shining through morning dew, a mountain stream or an alpine lake. No matter what form it takes, water fascinates us. An amazing view is made that much more amazing
Lake Katharine – Backpacking Pecos WIlderness – New Mexico
This is part two of our 4 day hike in the Pecos Wilderness - New Mexico. Read Part One - Hiking to Lake Johnson. My heart is pounding, my feet ache, and I’m starting to doubt there is a lake up here at all. We feel like we have been hiking all day and the constant incline of the trail seems as if it will never let up. But just as we begin to think we should camp for the night
Nogal Peak – 9957 feet – Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico
Looking out across the Sacramento Mountains north of Sierra Blanca one peak stands out among the rest. Nogal peak is one of those mountains that calls people to climb it, and it has been calling my name every since I first noticed it in the Lincoln National forest outside of Ruidoso New Mexico. Nogal Peak - Lincoln Natioal Forest, NMMy family and I had decided to get away for the weekend with the hopes of catching one last ski day
Entire Lincoln National Forest Will Close Due To Fire Danger
Next Thursday May 12 at 8:00 am the entire Lincoln National Forest (including all three districts) will be closed to the public due to extreme fire danger. All National Forest System roads and trails will be closed, but all interstate highways, state and county roads through the forest will remain open, according to a U.S. Forest Service statement. The Forest Service has also stated that campfire and smoking restrictions have been effective minimizing the number of fires, but the
Fire destroys Parts of Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area
The Last Chance Fire continues to burn in the steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain of the Guadalupe Mountains. Thanks to a comment from an anonymous reader I have just discovered the Fire has also burned areas of Sitting Bull Falls including picnic pavilion overhang covers, electrical poles, associated trail systems, and climbing area at end of Forest Service Road 525A.Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area before the Last Chance FireAs I posted earlier this week the recreation area is closed for the
Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico
Since I moved out to West Texas and was introduced to the Guadalupe Mountains, I have wanted to visit Sitting Bull Falls. The Guadalupe Mountains form the highest mountains in Texas and are the focus of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The mountains extend into New Mexico creating the Guadalupe District of Lincoln National Forest. In this “forest” is a rare desert stream that cascades 130 feet over Sitting Bull Falls.Sitting Bull Falls We decided we would head out for a day
Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico – Crater Rim Hike
Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in the High Plains of New Mexico in the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. While driving home from Colorado my family and I stopped in to see this once active volcano and do some light hiking. From the visitor center you can drive up the 2 mile long paved road to the lower volcano rim. From there two paved hiking trails invite you to explore the volcano’s crater.At the entrance to Capulin Volcano National Monument When I
Sierra Blanca – Summit Hike – New Mexico
Last Labor Day weekend a friend and I decided to head out to south-central New Mexico to summit Sierra Blanca. Sierra Blanca rises 11,973 feet (some sources say 12,003 feet) above sea level and about 8,000 feet above the surrounding desert floor making her the most prominent peak in New Mexico. The peak is owned by the Mascalero Apache Indian Tribe and is considered the sacred place where “the creator gave us life.”Sierra Blanca New MexicoWe decided to make
Hermits Peak Summit Attempt
Well it has been a long busy summer for me which has had an effect on my blogging. I have had many adventures over the past 3 months and I am looking forward to blogging about them in the coming weeks.Back in early July a friend and I attempted to summit Hermits Peak (10,212 feet). Hermits peak is at the extreme southern end of the Rockies in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The peak rises 3700 ft above the town
Buck Mountian – New Mexico
While on a church retreat near Angus, NM I took a morning hike to 7,755 foot Buck Mountain. Starting at the retreat center we followed an old jeep trial into the Lincoln National forest. We looped around counter clockwise to the back side of Buck Mountain following a small stream for most of the way before heading up the west side. Once on top we found some Elk tracks and took in the view. We came back down on the