Las Cruces, NM (Dripping Springs) Oct. 7, 2008 I spotted this flower growing along the trail up to Dripping Springs. I was surprised to see the long stem that the flower was attached to. Our last hike of the trip turned out to be great for wildflowers!
Aster Family Las Cruces, NM Oct. 4, 2008 I found this plant growing along the Pine Tree Trail on the east side of the Organ Mtns.
Dripping Springs was a resort in the late 1800's, a slightly cooler area than the lower-lying Las Cruces and El Paso. Later it was used as a tuberculosis sanitorium until the mid-1900's. These livery ruins and a few other buildings are all that are left to show that this was once a thriving area. The name Dripping Springs comes from a spring that drips over the rocks on the side of the mountain. There wasn't much water the day we were there.
