Northern New Mexico - 2016 Bandelier, Valle Grande, Great Sand Dunes, Rio Grande del Norte, Petroglyphs
In May 2016, we went to northern New Mexico for a wedding and traveled around the state for 2 weeks. We started out in Española and visited Los Alamos, Valle Grande National Monument, and Bandelier National Monument. From there, we went to Taos and visited the church in Chimayo, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado. The trip ended with a quick visit to Petroglyphs National Monument.
| Image Number | Image (Click to Enlarge) | Caption | Image Viewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Española Inn
|
Española Inn We stayed at the beautiful Española Inn for two nights in order to attend the wedding at the Ghost Ranch in nearby Abiqui. It was a lovely place with large, comfortable rooms. |
754 |
| 2 |
Española Inn courtyard
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Española Inn courtyard This was our view from our balcony outside our room at the Española Inn. |
792 |
| 3 |
Apache Plume
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Apache Plume Fallugia paradoxa Rose Family May 21, 2016 Apache Plume is a small shrub with lovely white flowers. I found this one blooming along the highway going up to Los Alamos. clr: 1-w |
891 |
| 4 |
White Ragweed
|
White Ragweed Hymenopappas filifolius Aster Family May 22, 2016 I found this flower growing along the road as we were driving to Los Alamos. It was a very common flower in the northern New Mexico area. It varies from cream colored to bright yellow. clr: 5-y |
697 |
| 5 |
Paper Daisy
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Paper Daisy Psilostrophe tagetina Aster Family May 21, 2016 clr:5-y |
813 |
| 6 |
Scarlet Gaura
|
Scarlet Gaura Gaura coccinea Evening Primrose Family May 21, 2016 clr:2-r |
805 |
| 7 |
Hartweg's Sundrops
|
Hartweg's Sundrops Calyophus hartwegii fendleri May 21, 2016 clr: 5-y |
733 |
| 8 |
Soapweed Yucca
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Soapweed Yucca Yucca intermedia Agave Family May 21, 2016 clr: 1-w |
850 |
| 9 |
Los Alamos Bradbury Museum
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Los Alamos Bradbury Museum Like Oak Ridge, TN and Hanford, Washington, Los Alamos was built to manufacture the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in WWII. |
656 |
| 10 |
Bradbury museum in Los Alamos |
Bradbury museum in Los Alamos This is one of the exhibits at the Bradbury museum in Los Alamos. These statues represent Gen. Leslie Groves and Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, two of the key figures in the development of the bombs. In 2015 the National Park Service dedicated the Manhattan Project National Park, a three-part park commemorating the three national sites and their participation in the Manhattan Project. | 762 |
| 11 |
Fendler Bush
|
Fendler Bush Fendlera rupicola Agave Family May 21, 2016 clr: 1-w |
837 |
| 12 |
Wildfire damage |
Wildfire damage The mountains above Los Alamos have been scarred by frequent wildfires. | 767 |
| 13 |
Plains Larkspur
|
Plains Larkspur Delphinium wootonii Buttercup Family May 21, 2016 clr: 8-v |
756 |
| 14 |
Los Alamos Geology
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Los Alamos Geology The white layer of rock in this image is a very thick layer of pumice from a long ago eruption of the nearby volcano that created the Valle Grande caldera. Pumice is an interesting rock because it will float in water (until the little air holes fill with water). |
732 |
| 15 |
Valle Grande National Monument |
Valle Grande National Monument Valle Grande National Monument was added to the National Park Service in 2000. It is the caldera of a huge, ancient volcano. The grasslands in the valley are home to herds of elk and other animals. The burned area was from a recent fire. The pronunciation of the park is "Vie-ay grahn-day", meaning "big valley" in Spanish. | 700 |
| 16 |
Valle Grande National monument map |
Valle Grande National monument map | 743 |
| 17 |
Valle Grande National monument stream running through the grassland. |
Valle Grande National monument stream running through the grassland. | 732 |
| 18 |
An old cabin at Valle Grande National Monument
|
An old cabin at Valle Grande National Monument The park rangers take visitors on a guided van drive to see a different part of the park away from the visitor center. |
752 |
| 19 |
Valle Grande National Monument |
Valle Grande National Monument | 763 |
| 20 |
Pygmyflower Rock Jasmine
|
Pygmyflower Rock Jasmine Androsace septentrionalis Primrose Family May 21, 2016 I was amazed at these tiny flowers I found growing in the Jemez Mountains above Los Alamos and in Valle Grande National Monument. clr: 1-w |
853 |
| 21 |
Mouse ear Chickweed
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Mouse ear Chickweed Cerastrum arvense strictum Pink Family May 21, 2016 clr: 1-w |
781 |
| 22 |
Gunnison's Prairie Dog
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Gunnison's Prairie Dog Cynomys gunnisoni These shy little Prairie Dogs were seen at Valle Grande. |
718 |
| 23 |
Valle Grande, looking toward the Jemez Mountains |
Valle Grande, looking toward the Jemez Mountains | 739 |
| 24 |
Alpine Goldenrod
|
Alpine Goldenrod Solidago multiradiata May 21, 2016 This goldenrod species is found growing in the higher elevations of New Mexico. This was photographed in the Jemez Mountains above Los Alamos, I also saw it growing on the mountain in Taos at 9,000 feet. clr: 5-y |
845 |
| 25 |
Bandelier National Monument |
Bandelier National Monument Bandelier National Monument is located near White Rock, NM. It has fascinating ancient ruins of Native American cliff dwellings and valley structures. It is possible to enter a few of the cliff dwellings by log ladders. | 746 |
| 26 |
Bandelier National Monument ruins and cliff dwellings |
Bandelier National Monument ruins and cliff dwellings | 629 |
| 27 |
Visiting one of the cliff dwellings at Bandelier |
Visiting one of the cliff dwellings at Bandelier | 734 |
| 28 |
Bandelier National Monument ruins and cliff dwellings |
Bandelier National Monument ruins and cliff dwellings | 704 |
| 29 |
Bandelier National Monument ruins |
Bandelier National Monument ruins | 740 |
| 30 |
Hop tree
|
Hop tree Ptelea trifoliata Citrus Family May 21, 2016 At first glance, this small tree could be mistaken for Poison Ivy or Oak because of its' three-parted compound leaf. It is not related to Poison Ivy or Oak, it is more closely related to oranges and lemons. clr: 1-w |
811 |
| 31 |
My husband loves to smell the bark of Ponderosa Pine when we go out west, it smells like vanilla! |
My husband loves to smell the bark of Ponderosa Pine when we go out west, it smells like vanilla! | 730 |
| 32 |
Fleabane Daisy
|
Fleabane Daisy Erigeron divergens Aster Family May 21, 2016 I saw this wildflower blooming at Bandelier National Monument. It is a common wildflower in the southwest. clr: 1-w |
864 |
| 33 |
Pinkava's Scorpionweed
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Pinkava's Scorpionweed Phacelia pinkavae Waterleaf Family May 21, 2016 I found this common wildflower blooming in Bandelier National Monument. clr: 1-w |
785 |
| 34 |
Hidden Flower
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Hidden Flower Cryptantha crassisepala Borage Family May 21, 2016 This is a common wildflower of the southwest. clr: 1-w |
844 |
| 35 |
Hairy Golden-aster
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Hairy Golden-aster Heterotheca villosa Aster Family May 21, 2016 clr: 5-y |
883 |
| 36 |
New Mexico Locust
|
New Mexico Locust Robinia neomexicana Pea Family May 21, 2016 I found this tree blooming at Bandelier National Monument. It was at the beginning of its' blooming season, most of the flowers were in bud. clr: 3-p |
799 |
| 37 |
Pale Evening-Primrose
|
Pale Evening-Primrose Oenothera pallida Evening-Primrose Family May 21, 2016 clr: 1-w |
828 |
| 38 |
Bandelier Sidebells Penstemon
|
Bandelier Sidebells Penstemon Penstemon secundiflorus Snapdragon Family May 21, 2016 This was one of those, "Stop the car! I see a new wildflower"! plants. I spotted it on our way to Bandelier. clr: 8-v |
834 |
| 39 |
Perky Sue
|
Perky Sue Tetraneuris argentea Aster Family May 21, 2016 You can't help but smile when you hear the name of this wildflower! It is a common wildflower in the southwest. clr: 5-y |
826 |
| 40 |
Blanket Flower
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Blanket Flower Gaillardia pulchella Aster Family May 21, 2016 clr: 5-y |
751 |
| 41 |
False Solomon's Seal
|
False Solomon's Seal Maianthemum stellatum Aster family May 21, 2016 I found this flower blooming in the wooded area near a stream at Bandelier National Monument. clr: 1-w |
770 |
| 42 |
Bandelier Cupseeded Stickseed
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Bandelier Cupseeded Stickseed Lappula occidentalis capulata Borage Family May 21, 2016 clr: 1-w |
748 |
| 43 |
Fendler's Barberry
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Fendler's Barberry Berberis fenderli Barberry Family may 21, 2016 clr: 5-y |
857 |
| 44 |
Fendler's Meadow Rue
|
Fendler's Meadow Rue Thalictrum fendleri Buttercup Family May 21, 2016 clr: 5-y |
785 |
| 45 |
Wayside Gromwell
|
Wayside Gromwell Lithospermum multiflorum Borage Family May 21, 2016 |
890 |
| 46 |
Skunkbush
|
Skunkbush Rhus trilobata Sumac Family May 21, 2016 This three-leaved shrub is related to Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac, but it does not contain the urishiol oil found in its' itch-inducing relatives. It will have red berries later in the year. clr: 5-y |
876 |
| 47 |
Moonrise over the mountains
|
Moonrise over the mountains This beautiful sight was the grande finale of our first full day in New Mexico! |
751 |
| 48 |
Ghost Ranch
|
Ghost Ranch My cousin's daughter got married at the beautiful Ghost Ranch (north of Abiqui, NM). This ranch was a favorite haunt of the artist Georgia O'Keefe. |
615 |
| 49 |
Ghost Ranch Cabin
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Ghost Ranch Cabin The flat-topped mountain in the background was featured in many of Georgia O'Keefe's paintings. |
691 |
| 50 |
Blue Flax
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Blue Flax Linum lewisii Flax Family May 22, 2016 clr: 7-b |
837 |
| 51 |
Dwarf Gilia
|
Dwarf Gilia Ipomopsis pumila Phlox Family May 22, 2016 clr: 7-b |
782 |
| 52 |
Curlycup Gumweed
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Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa Aster Family May 22, 2016 clr: 5-y |
829 |
| 53 |
Gypsum Scorpionweed
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Gypsum Scorpionweed Phacelia integrifolia Waterleaf Family> May 21, 2016 clr: 8-v |
840 |
| 54 |
Berlandier's Yellow Flax
|
Berlandier's Yellow Flax Linum berlandieri Flax Family May 22, 2016 clr: 5-y |
828 |
| 55 |
Golden Banner
|
Golden Banner Thermopsis divaricarpa Pea Family May 21, 2016 clr: 5-y |
831 |
| 56 |
Globe Mallow
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Globe Mallow Sphaeralcea coccinea Mallow Family may 22, 2016 clr: 4-o |
807 |
| 57 |
Stinking Milkvetch
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Stinking Milkvetch Astragalus praelongus Pea Family May 22, 2016 clr: 1-w |
820 |
| 58 |
Blue Bowls
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Blue Bowls Giliastrum acerosum Phlox Family May 22, 2016 clr: 7-b |
755 |
| 59 |
Claret Cup Cactus
|
Claret Cup Cactus Echinocereus triglochidiatus Cactus Family May 22, 2016 There was a large patch of these beautiful flowers blooming near an old cabin at the Ghost Ranch. This cactus has flowers similar to the Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus, however, it has much fewer spines. clr: 2-r |
797 |
| 60 |
Beakpod Milkvetch
|
Beakpod Milkvetch Astragalus lentiginosus Pea Family May 23, 2016 I found this plant blooming along the highway near Chimayo. clr: 8-v |
731 |
| 61 |
Ghost Ranch
|
Ghost Ranch Oh, the stories those red rock canyons could tell of the cattle rustlers of earlier times! Dinosaur fossils have been found in those rocks too. The ranch has a small, but interesting dinosaur fossil museum. |
654 |
| 62 |
One of the Ghost Ranch dinosaurs displayed in the museum. |
One of the Ghost Ranch dinosaurs displayed in the museum. | 714 |
| 63 |
Ghost Ranch dinosaurs
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Ghost Ranch dinosaurs This Coelophysis dinosaur fossil was found in the rocks of the Ghost Ranch property. A small museum houses several fossils that were found nearby. |
661 |
| 64 |
A Ghost Ranch dinosaur |
A Ghost Ranch dinosaur | 737 |
| 65 |
Juniper Mistletoe
|
Juniper Mistletoe Phoradendron juniperinum Viscaceae May 22, 2016 There are several species of Mistletoe, they are found on certain types of trees. This plant is semi-parasitic on Juniper trees. clr: 5-y |
758 |
| 66 |
Santuario de Chimayo
|
Santuario de Chimayo When we left Española, we took the scenic "High Road To Taos" highway; I noticed a marker on the map for this beautiful historic shrine. It was an amazing little adobe church. I don't have any photos from the inside because photography was prohibited. There are many photos and relics left by worshipers and family members of people who have prayed there and been healed. One room was full of crutches and braces. Some rooms were full of baby shoes, clothing, toys, and relics of children who had either been healed or had passed away. |
718 |
| 67 |
Santuario de Chimayo
|
Santuario de Chimayo Many of the rock crosses had names of people who had died written on them. Small crosses made of sticks and string had been left between the cracks in the rocks or tied to fence wires by family members who had lost a loved one. |
665 |
| 68 |
Chimayo (3) |
Chimayo (3) | 775 |
| 69 |
A shrine at Santuario de Chimayo
|
A shrine at Santuario de Chimayo There were several shrines to Mother Mary in and around the church. People had left rosaries, candles, photos, rocks with names of loved ones or prayers, and flowers at the shrines. |
769 |
| 70 |
The High Road to Taos
|
The High Road to Taos We enjoyed getting off the main highway and taking the slower, more scenic route to Taos. The road was steep and curvy in some places! |
728 |
| 71 |
Going to the Red Rock Motorcycle rally
|
Going to the Red Rock Motorcycle rally The week we were in Taos hundreds of motorcycle riders came through town on their way to Red Rock for the huge motorcycle rally. We stayed up on the mountain at the Taos Mountain Ski Resort lodge. We were amazed to see a group of riders who had come from Mexico City, 1100 miles away! |
775 |
| 72 |
Motorcycle rally riders |
Motorcycle rally riders | 606 |
| 73 |
Mule Deer
|
Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus This curious Mule Deer was one of a small herd that crossed the road in front of us as we drove down the mountain into Taos one day. |
760 |
| 74 |
A Beaver Lodge
|
A Beaver Lodge This beaver lodge was in the creek on the way up to Taos Ski Mountain resort. A bit farther up the road a small lake had backed up behind a large beaver dam. I had hoped to see one of the beavers, but no luck! |
798 |
| 75 |
Kit Carson museum |
Kit Carson museum We spent one day down in the town of Taos. We enjoyed visiting the Kit Carson museum. | 696 |
| 76 |
Kit Carson and his wife |
Kit Carson and his wife | 601 |
| 77 |
Many of the doors and windows in Taos are painted blue. They look lovely against the reddish adobe. |
Many of the doors and windows in Taos are painted blue. They look lovely against the reddish adobe. | 705 |
| 78 |
Rio Grand del Norte National Monument
|
Rio Grand del Norte National Monument Rio Grand del Norte was set aside as a National Monument in 2013. It protects the beautiful canyon and surrounding lands, including this section of the Rio Grande river. It offers nice hiking, wildflowers, animal sightings, petroglyphs, and river rafting opportunities. |
737 |
| 79 |
Rio Grand river seen from the bridge
|
Rio Grand river seen from the bridge |
687 |
| 80 |
Rio Grand del Norte
|
Rio Grand del Norte Most of the roads in Rio Grande del Norte National Monument are dirt and gravel. We visited the park in May when the roads were dry and did not have any problems driving on them. This road took us from the river up to the top of the gorge. |
678 |
| 81 |
Rio Grand del Norte National Monument
|
Rio Grand del Norte National Monument Due to time constraints, we only were able to hike one trail the day we went to the northern area of the park. The La Vista Verde ("green view") trail followed the rim of the canyon and came to a dead end here. We enjoyed watching rafters running the rapids in the river below from this vantage point. |
698 |
| 82 |
Lizard at Rio Grand del Norte
|
Lizard at Rio Grand del Norte This little lizard looks like it wasn't too happy to have visitors! I spotted it while we hiked on the La Vista Verde trail. |
725 |
| 83 |
Baby Aster
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Baby Aster Chaetopappa ericoides Aster Family May 24, 2016 This pretty little aster grew in many areas. It tolerates dry conditions very well. clr: 1-w |
817 |
| 84 |
King's Lupine
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King's Lupine Lupinus kingii Pea Family May 24, 2016 I nearly missed seeing this tiny plant growing along the La Vista Verde trail in Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. clr: 8-v |
880 |
| 85 |
Rio Grand del Norte Petroglyph
|
Rio Grand del Norte Petroglyph We had heard there were petroglyphs ("rock writing") on the La Vista Verde trail. We looked the entire way to the end of the trail without finding one. On the hike back, I noticed a worn area where people had been walking off the main trail, it ended at a cliff. When we walked up to the dark rocks, I noticed this figure and other markings that had been scratched deeply into the rocks. |
661 |
| 86 |
Rio Grand del Norte petroglyphs scratched into the rocks |
Rio Grand del Norte petroglyphs scratched into the rocks | 715 |
| 87 |
Scarlet Hedgehog cactus
|
Scarlet Hedgehog cactus Echinocereus spp. Cactus Family May 24, 2016 I was excited to find a few Scarlet Hedgehog cacti in bloom along the La Vista Verde trail. There is another cactus with bright red blooms called Claret Cup that is similar, however, it has much fewer spines than the Hedgehog cactus. clr: 2-r |
788 |
| 88 |
Cutleaf Evening Primrose
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Cutleaf Evening Primrose Oenothera coronopifolia Evening Primrose Family May 24, 2016 clr: 1-w |
858 |
| 89 |
Rio Grande del Norte rafters
|
Rio Grande del Norte rafters There are several rafting companies that offer trips down the river for the more adventurous visitors. |
702 |
| 90 |
Rio Grand gorge State Park
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Rio Grand gorge State Park This is one of the few bridges that span the Rio Grande River in northern New Mexico. |
600 |
| 91 |
Rio Grand del Norte bridge
|
Rio Grand del Norte bridge There is a small state park here with picnic shelters. It is possible for visitors (who are not afraid of heights!) to walk out on the bridge and enjoy the view. |
721 |
| 92 |
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
|
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument This was one of the views from our last day as we were driving back to Albuquerque. The Rio Grande river is at the bottom of the gorge. |
689 |
| 93 |
Rio Grande del Norte hiking trail
|
Rio Grande del Norte hiking trail We saw a sign for a hiking trail for the southern area of Rio Grande del Norte National Monument along the highway as we were leaving Taos and we decided to stop. I was thrilled to find several wildflowers, many were new ones to me. This beautiful Indian Paintbrush was an old favorite! |
693 |
| 94 |
Foothills Paintbrush
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Foothills Paintbrush Castilleja integra Figwort Family May 28, 2016 There are many species of Indian Paintbrush in the western states! |
722 |
| 95 |
Rio Grande del Norte trail with Foothills Paintbrush
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Rio Grande del Norte trail with Foothills Paintbrush Just a lovely view of the mountains and wildflowers along the trail. |
754 |
| 96 |
Tufted Broomrape
|
Tufted Broomrape Aphyllon fasciculatum Broomrape Family May 29, 2016 I squealed with delight when I saw this plant! It is leafless and not green, meaning it is a parasitic plant. The roots grow into the roots of Sagebrush (Artemesiaspp.) and obtain water and nutrients from them. clr: 3-p |
911 |
| 97 |
Claret Cup Cactus
|
Claret Cup Cactus Another pretty Claret Cup Cactus at Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. |
715 |
| 98 |
Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus
|
Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus Echinocereus fendleri Cactus Family May 28, 2016 These are small cacti with beautiful pink flowers. We were lucky to be in New Mexico during cactus-blooming season, we saw 5 species. clr:3-p |
753 |
| 99 |
Doubting Mariposa Lily
|
Doubting Mariposa Lily Calochortus ambiguus Lily Family May 28, 2016 This is one of the prettiest wildflowers I saw on the trip! What a treat it was to find it! clr: 1-w |
721 |
| 100 |
Wolfberry; Pale Desert-thorn
|
Wolfberry; Pale Desert-thorn Lycium pallidum Nightshade Family May 28, 2016 It took me a while to identify this small shrubby plant. I found it along the trail in the southern part of Rio Grande del Norte. clr: 5-y |
731 |
| 101 |
Close-up of Wolfberry flowers |
Close-up of Wolfberry flowers | 572 |
| 102 |
American Vetch
|
American Vetch Vicia americana Pea Family May 21, 2016 clr: 8-v |
677 |
| 103 |
Bastard Toadflax
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Bastard Toadflax Comandra umbellata Sandalwood Family May 22, 2016 I was surprised to learn this plant is semi-parasitic. clr: 1-w |
806 |
| 104 |
Horehound
|
Horehound Marribium vulgare Mint Family May 24, 2016 This is a very common non-native plant that grows across the United States. I found it growing along the La Verde Vista trail in Rio Grande del Norte. clr: 1-w |
635 |
| 105 |
Prickly Pear Cactus
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Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia phaecantha Cactus Family May 24, 2016 clr: 5-y |
802 |
| 106 |
I need to work on this one! |
I need to work on this one! | 600 |
| 107 |
On May 25 we drove two hours from Taos to southern Colorado to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park |
On May 25 we drove two hours from Taos to southern Colorado to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park | 735 |
| 108 |
Great Sand Dunes NP (14) |
Great Sand Dunes NP (14) | 707 |
| 109 |
Great Sand Dunes National Park
|
Great Sand Dunes National Park I had heard of Great Sand Dunes National Park and seen it on my maps, so we decided to visit since we were so close. It is a popular park with people in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, but it is not well-known in other parts of the country. This was our first view of the dunes as we approached the park. The tallest sand dune is 755 feet high. See the map of the park: Park Map |
696 |
| 110 |
Great Sand Dunes NP
|
Great Sand Dunes NP Medano Creek runs at the edge of the sand dunes. It flows heavily in the spring due to snowmelt in the mountains. A fun thing to watch is the little surges of water that come down the creek every few minutes. It happens when sand grains build up slowing down the water. When the build up breaks down, water surges. The little surge is visible in this photo. |
635 |
| 111 |
Great Sand Dunes National Park
|
Great Sand Dunes National Park I enjoyed seeing the patterns of the ripples of water in the creek. |
680 |
| 112 |
Great Sand Dunes National Park
|
Great Sand Dunes National Park The sand in the dunes is made up of tiny particles of rocks and minerals from mountains many miles away. Wind blows the sand across the land until it piles up in the park. The darker sand is made up of heavier minerals and separates out from the lighter, but larger rock grains. |
694 |
| 113 |
Great Sand Dunes NP
|
Great Sand Dunes NP I had thought it would be fun to walk to the top of the dunes when I read about the park. Reality set in pretty quickly when I saw how high they were and then read it takes a couple of hours to trudge to the top! |
665 |
| 114 |
Sandboarding in Great Sand Dunes National Park
|
Sandboarding in Great Sand Dunes National Park Many people rented sandboards or even slid down the dunes on cardboard boxes. We saw many ball caps that had been blown off people by the strong wind! |
705 |
| 115 |
White Locoweed
|
White Locoweed Oxytropis sericea Pea Family May 25, 2016 I found this plant growing along the trail at Great Sand Dunes National Park. clr: 1-w |
800 |
| 116 |
Trumpet Gooseberry
|
Trumpet Gooseberry Ribes leptanthum Gooseberry Family May 25, 2016 clr: 1-w |
810 |
| 117 |
Vipergrass
|
Vipergrass Scorzonera lacinata Aster Family May 25, 2016 clr: 5-y |
719 |
| 118 |
Fendler's Bladderpod
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Fendler's Bladderpod Physaria fendleri Mustard Family May 25, 2016 clr: 5-y |
843 |
| 119 |
Great Sand Dunes National Park road warning sign
|
Great Sand Dunes National Park road warning sign When people are told not to take a passenger car on the road ahead, the park rangers mean it! Even driving on the "safe" part of the road to get to this trailhead parking area was tricky, the hazards past here were not worth risking our car or our lives to attempt going on. |
648 |
| 120 |
White-stemmed Blazing Star
|
White-stemmed Blazing Star Mentzelia albicaulis Loasa Family May 24, 2016 This flower was much smaller and very different from other Blazing Stars I have seen out west. clr: 5-y |
827 |
| 121 |
Shorthorn Spurge
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Shorthorn Spurge Euphorbia brachysera Euphorbia Family May 25, 2016 clr: 5-y |
798 |
| 122 |
Mountain Mahogany
|
Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus montanus Rose Family May 25, 2016 This was the first time I had seen this shrub in bloom. I had seen it in seed in the fall on past trips to the west. The seeds are fuzzy and curled in a "C" shape. clr: 1-w |
824 |
| 123 |
Great Sand Dunes National Park
|
Great Sand Dunes National Park This photo shows the amazing diversity of landscapes in this park. |
693 |
| 124 |
Marsh Marigold
|
Marsh Marigold Caltha leptosepala Buttercup Family May 26, 2016 On our last full day on Taos mountain, we decided to hike to Williams Lake. The trailhead was located at 10,000 feet. There was still snow in the woods at this elevation and very few early spring wildflowers in bloom. I was happy to see this pretty little Marshmarigold blooming. clr: 1-w |
588 |
| 125 |
Oregon Grape
|
Oregon Grape Berberis repens Barberry Family May 29, 2016 clr: 5-y |
805 |
| 126 |
Rocky Mountain Iris
|
Rocky Mountain Iris Iris missouriensis Iris Family May 23, 2016 I found these plants growing in a field on the northern outskirts of Taos. clr:8-v |
848 |
| 127 |
Cliffbush
|
Cliffbush Jamesia americana Hydrangea Family May 25, 2016 This was one of the few wildflowers blooming at the 9,000 foot elevation of Taos Ski Mountain where we stayed during the trip. clr: 1-w |
839 |
| 128 |
Scouring Rush
|
Scouring Rush Equisetum hyemale affine Horsetail Family May 25, 2016 This is not a wildflower, it produces spores instead of seeds. The tough, scratchy stems of this plant were once used to scour out cooking pots, thus the name "Scouring Rush". It is not an actual rush either. clr: 6-g |
807 |
| 129 |
Lady's Mantle
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Lady's Mantle Alchemilla mollis Rose Family May 28, 2016 clr: 6-g |
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| 130 |
Willow catkins |
Willow catkins | 686 |
| 131 |
Trailhead sign at Williams Lake parking lot
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Trailhead sign at Williams Lake parking lot It is not a good feeling to start a hike knowing there are animals you could possibly encounter that can eat you! We have never seen a mountain lion in the wild while hiking out west. |
641 |
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Wheeler Peak
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Wheeler Peak At 13,161 feet, Wheeler Peak is the highest point in New Mexico. The Williams Lake trail passes by this spectacular mountain. Even though we were hiking here on May 28, there was still knee-deep snow on the ground, it made for slippery hiking. |
714 |
| 133 |
Williams Lake
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Williams Lake Williams Lake is located at 11,100 feet in elevation. It was still frozen when we hiked there. Although it looks mostly clear in this photo, less than 15 minutes later we had to leave quickly due to an approaching storm! We weren't far back into the woods when we heard thunder and it started to snow! |
612 |
| 134 |
Williams Lake hike,br> |
Williams Lake hike,br> Trudging back through the snow to beat the storm. It was not an easy hike! | 705 |
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Williams Lake hike
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Williams Lake hike We had to watch for the blue trail blazes on the trees as we hiked up to Williams Lake. The trail was still covered with deep snow, it was hard to follow the trail in some places. |
687 |
| 136 |
Williams Lake hike
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Williams Lake hike We saw only this little ground squirrel and a marmot when we reached Williams Lake. |
652 |
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Solar Panels
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Solar Panels We saw these solar panels as we were driving on the interstate north of Albuquerque. |
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Petroglyph National Monument
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Petroglyph National Monument The day before we left New Mexico we squeezed in one more park to add to my National Park Passport book (this one made 6 on this trip!). Petroglyph is a bit confusing because it is a 3-part park and the visitor center is not near the petroglyph areas. The petroglyphs were marked on volcanic rock by the local Native Americans several hundred years ago. Later, Spanish explorers left their mark on some of the rocks too. |
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Petroglyph National Monument
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Petroglyph National Monument This was the only trail we had time to hike due to arriving at the park later in the day. Some of the petroglyphs are visible on this large boulder. There were many more on the rocks along the trail going up the hill. The trail guide was very helpful to explain what the petroglyphs may represent. |
724 |
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Petroglyph National Monument
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Petroglyph National Monument One of the more unusual petroglyphs. |
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| 141 |
Petroglyph National Monument
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Petroglyph National Monument This part of the park is on the outskirts of northwest Albuquerque, the neighborhoods are on the park boundary. The Sandia mountains can be seen in the distance. |
744 |
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Petroglyph National Monument
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Petroglyph National Monument This is the view of the parking lot and the volcanic cones in the distance. It is easy to see where the ancient lava flows ended. |
731 |
| 143 |
Spectacle Pod
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Spectacle Pod Dimorphocarpa wislizenii Mustard Family May 28, 2016 This plant gets its name from the seed pods that look like little green glasses. clr: 1-w |
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Cane Cholla
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Cane Cholla Cylindropuntia imbricata Cactus Family May 28, 2016 I had looked for this flower all week and finally saw it on our next to the last day at the Petroglyph National Monument visitor center! clr: 2-r |
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