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Showing posts from January, 2018

El Cerro de Tomé

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Aka Tomé Hill. Valencia County, NM.  25 miles south of Albuquerque.  Rio Grande winds up the valley on the left side.  Well, I finally have a chance to catch my breath and reflect on my time in New Mexico, the "land of enchantment".  I put 1118 miles on the car, and I really only scratched the surface of the state.  New Mexico is a day hiking wonderland!  It's is also in a drought condition, especially the southern half, so pray for rain for New Mexico.  Another unfortunate situation is that the southern forests have moderate burn damage.  In both the Lincoln and Cibola National Forests I visited, burn damage was prevalent.  I don't know the causes of the fires, but with the generally dry conditions, the rejuvenation time is bound to be long.

Manzano Peak foothills

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Manzano Mountains. Cibola NF, near Mountainair, NM. I also visited the Abo site, one of the Salinas Pueblo missions.  It is also near Mountainair.

Valley of Fire

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Lava beds as far as the eye can see. Near Carrizozo, NM. The lava is now teeming with plant and animal life.

Capitan Peak Trail

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Capitan Wilderness, Lincoln NF, 30 miles NE of Capitan, NM.

Capitan Gap

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Lincoln NF, near Capitan, NM. 

Nogal Peak approach

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Lincoln NF, Crest Trail, near Ruidoso, NM. Also, a good view of the Capitans from the ridge.

Carrizo Peak

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Lincoln NF, a few miles outside of Carrizozo, NM.

Little Gallinas Peak

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Beautiful views courtesy of a forest fire! Cibola NF, near Corona, NM.

Santa Fe Park

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Santa Fe NF. Approximately 10 miles NW of Santa Fe, NM. 

Rio Grande Rift

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Looking back towards Picuris Mountains. Carson NF. Near Taos, NM. The day before (and before the snow), I got to see the rift up close near Questa, NM.  Ute Mountain is in the distance.

Chuckwagon Canyon

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Valle Vidal, Carson NF. 15 miles SE of Costilla, NM.

La Manga Pass Snowshoe

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Rio Grande NF.  Road to Red Lake Trailhead. About 12 miles NE of Chama, NM. Also, view of Conejos River Valley.

Champney Island

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Altamaha WMA Glynn County, GA

Altamaha River flood plain

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Sansavilla WMA, Wayne County, Ga

Cannon's Point Preserve

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St Simons Island, GA

White Candle Trail

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FD Roosevelt SP, GA