Mora Flats, Pecos Wilderness

The Mora Flats are a large marshy meadow crossed by several streams. Starting from Iron Gate Campground (18 miles in on NM 63, past the town of Terrero) it is an easy 2.5 to 3 miles to the flats. (We selected to hike in the Pecos because the Sandias, Manzanos and Mount Taylor areas are all closed due to drought.) The first 1/2 mile of the trail led to the junction of Hamilton Mesa and Mora Flats. As we arrived at the junction, a hiker reminded us that the great views are from Hamilton Mesa. We hesitated a moment and then decided to go ahead with our original plan. Most of the Mora Flats trail has a very gently, mostly down grade and was lined by Aspen. The most challenging part of the day was not the hiking but the 4.5-mile drive to the trailhead on a bumpy, unimproved road that really required a high clearance 4WD vehicle. Thanks to Jim's skillful driving, we got stuck only once. (I was reminded that we attempted to camp at Iron Gate Campground on a 4th of July weekend with Kenli and Shaw a few years back and had to turn back because we got stuck in mud.)

To our dismay, we discovered that the Flats and surrounding hills have been badly affected by the drought. The Flats looked dry and the trees, as you can see in more detail in the picture below, are dying.

This area is supposed to be covered with wildflowers in spring: false pine lupines, wild irises, geraniums and wild strawberries. We found irises and lupines. They were attractive but small and clearly suffering from the drought.

Doningo Baca, revisited

This was a day of playing hooky for me. I had planned a day off from work months ago to go to the San Antonio hot springs in the Jemez Mountains with Jim, Katy and Marlin. It turned out that the gate is closed until June. So, for my day off we went hiking in the Sandias and revisited Domingo Baca. This time we missed the turn off to the main wash and scrambled up a side wash. Still fun with plenty of things to see.... boulders

streams and mini waterfalls....

lichen....

and, of course, the tram. The trail stops right under the tram.

Durango Snow Shoe Hike, January 2, 2011

Bear Peak, Boulder CO, March 20, 2011

This year's hike during our annual spring trip to Denver as at NCAR, Western Mountain Parks Habitat Conservation Area. We took Mesa trail to Fern Canyon trail. Length: 7 miles, elevation: 6,080 to 8461 feet. The trail meanders across a creek, large sandstone slabs and grassy meadows. There are 2 routes up to Bear Peak, the long easy route and the short cut just about straight up the mountain. Since we started late, 11 am and had a dinner date with Jim's brother that evening, we opted for the shortcut. And steep it was, and not so short. We made it to about 400 feet in elevation from the top when it was more than time to turn back... Oh well, we will try again on another trip. A great hike even if we did not make it to the top.

I did my best to capture the beauty of the snow-capped continental divide mountain range all around us (Rockies).

View of the city of Boulder.

Serpent Lake Backpack, cont'd

On our second day, we decided to take a hike to the Continental Divide ridge line. We made it up to the saddle, in the direction of Jicarita peak. Although the hike was very short and not very steep, we were rewarded with gorgeous skyline views.

View from the windswept saddle.

Serpent Lake Backpack, cont'd

Restorative pose on the trail...

Standing around camp. It was too cold and too windy to sit and relax.... The theme of our w.e. was wind and more wind, including howling wind in the trees at night that was so loud that it rattled the tent and kept us from sleeping.

Evening ritual: the hanging of the food canister to keep the bears away.

Serpent Lake Labor Day Backpack 2010

Here is where we are going: Serpent Lake in the Northern Pecos Wilderness, 25 miles south of Taos. The trailhead starts at the end of FS 161 off NM 518 towards Penasco. The turn off to FS 161 is 1.8 miles past Angostura Camp. Round trip distance was 7.4 miles with 1,300 feet elevation.

A closer look of the wind swept lake. The lake is located in Kelly basin and surrounded by a fragile landscape of grasses, shrubs and wildflowers.

Off we go.... From left to right: Markin, Katy, Elisabeth and Jim.

Our photographer, Katy, could not resist a picture of our back sides. We like our comfort and gourmet foods, and do not pack light... Thank you Katy for taking all of these great pictures and letting me use them. (I left my camera at home.)