Beautiful Day Hike

Great trip and great weather in the Southwest US in August.  There was some rain, but the clouds that brought it were very beautiful!  Panoramas like the one below were common.  This is a view of Santa Fe Baldy (the very top obscured by clouds) and Lake Peak to the far right.  Short trip up the mountain from Santa Fe to the ski area parking lot and lots of hiking from there!  ~ 70 miles of hiking in 8 days.  Altogether, 1065 miles of driving.

Between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM

Lake Peak, near Santa Fe, NM. 

Into the Pecos Wilderness. Carson NF on the high road to Taos, NM.

Carson NF, near Taos, NM. 

From the valley to the ridge, this is an excellent trail!  Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Area (Carson NF) near Taos Ski Valley, NM.

Carson NF,  near Costilla, NM.

Carson NF. Near Costilla, NM.

Rio Grande NF. Near Creede, CO.

Hike right out of Creede. Up and over back to town, or another mile to the point. View from the Pinnacles.

Morning walk out back of the motel.  South Fork, CO.  Rio Grande River Valley.  

Wolf Creek Pass, Rio Grande NF. Near South Fork, CO.

Continental Divide Trail, Rio Grande NF. Near South Fork, CO.

View of Southern Rockies in Rio Grande Valley. Lookout Mtn. is in Del Norte, CO. 

From Rock Creek trail, Rio Grande NF. Near Monte Vista, CO.

Oh, what meadows!  Red Lake Trail, Rio Grande NF.  Plateau is ~ 11,000'.

Sunset, at low tide.