We were exploring the rim of Chaco Canyon when we came across this raven perched on the canyon wall hundreds of feet above the valley floor. Teig and I sat near him and he was not bothered by us. I loved his dark form contrasted to beautiful canyon walls. It was calming to watch him relax an the rims edge and the vast canyons stretch into the distance.
Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon
Waking up to a beautiful sunrise and this view in Chaco Canyon National Monument gets me motivated to saunter around the Colorado Plateau in northwest New Mexico.
Dirt Road to Cerro De Guadalupe
Our view sauntering on the 4x4 roads near Cabezon, New Mexico. Cerro De Guadalupe is one of the ancient volcanic formations that are extremely fascinating in the area. There is a numerous backcountry roads and tons of space to explore in this high desert region on the Colorado Plateau.
Cerro Chato Volcanic Peak
The ancient volcanic peaks in the Cabezon region of New Mexico are astounding to witness first hand. Exploring this area is worthwhile with few visitors and fantastic views of the New Mexico deserts and mountains. Teig and I love to get “lost” in the desert southwest.
Reflective above Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is one the most spectacular views in America. Looking down into the orange and red banded canyon made me feel inspired with the beauty of nature. This young woman appears to have a similar reaction to viewing the canyon.
Shadows in the Bisti Badlands
We experienced this wonderful landscape exploring the Bisti Badlands on the Navajo Reservation in northwest New Mexico. The rock formations are mesmerizing and a saunter out into the wilderness can create a sensation of freedom. Teig and I love this area and the serenity it allows for us and there is a plethora to explore that you can spend a week and constantly experience a new landscape on every turn.
Rio Puerco Volcanic Necks
Cabezon Peak is one of the best-known and most visible landmarks in northwest New Mexico. This giant volcanic plug is visible for tens of miles in all directions. Cabezon means “big head” in Spanish, and it is aptly named. It is the largest of several dozen widely scattered rocky monoliths, called the Rio Puerco necks. Rising above the Rio Puerco valley floor, they are some of the best-preserved examples of volcanic necks in the world. The craggy black peaks stand in sharp contrast to the sparsely vegetated, buff-colored lowlands from which they emerge.The Jemez Mountains are visible to the north. This starkly beautiful landscape is unique in New Mexico. At an elevation of 7,786 ft, Cabezon Peak towers more than 1,100 ft above its base, and 2,000 ft above the Rio Puerco nearby.
Chaco Canyon Pueblo Alto Ruins
Exploring the Pueblo Alta trail on the mesa at Chaco Canyon leads you to a wonderful ruin sitting lonely on the crest of a hill. Pueblo Alto Ruins are the highest ruins in the park and don’t have the pressure of tourists as the others because you have to climb a winding trail up the canyon walls then a couple mile stretch of the legs to the ruins but it is well worth the trip. I made it there in the early afternoon on a beautiful fall day just before Thanksgiving.
Lybrook Badlands Cave
Teig and I spent the day sauntering through one of the unique San Juan Basins Badlands. This citadel formation had a cave into it which was very interesting. I climbed up and peered into it. I was not brave enough to explore to deep for fear of a cave in. It appeared quite fragile but uber cool.
Gold in Lybrook Badlands
Exploring one of the San Juan Basin Badlands near sunset I ventured into a wash a came upon this beautiful scene full of gold color. Lybrook Badlands is a remote location where a person can get away from civilization and explore strange rock formations and study the ancient geologic record. Fossil hunting is fun but I would never keep them but leave them for others to enjoy.
Desert Storm near Abiquiu
Nothing better than a late afternoon desert storm in northern New Mexico. If you never seen a storm with the sun shining on you in the desert southwest, you need to add it to your bucket list. This one was outside of Abiquiu and brought a smile to my face.
Above the De-Na-Zin Wilderness
The De-Na-Zin Wilderness in northwest New Mexico is a fantastic location to get away from civilization. The desert is so unique here on the Navajo Reservation. The sun was near setting on this evening in late autumn. Teig and I had hiked all day in the canyons seen below and were now enjoying the evening with a beer in hand a no other soul for miles. This was heaven on earth!
Traildog in the Rio Grande Gorge
Teig and I hiked down Chiflo Trail down into the Rio Grande Gorge in New Mexico. It was fun hike to reach the river at the bottom of the chasm. Exploring the rock formations and the river were so very cool. I love and miss my birth state!
Sunrise on the Pawnee Grasslands
I love sunrises when we are out exploring Colorado. We witnessed this fantastic summer sunrise on the Colorado plains while camping at the Pawnee Grasslands. You just have to get out saunter through our wonderful natural areas.
Taos Ski Valley Autumn Panorama
Taos Ski Valley in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains during the peak aspen color run in early October. Rain and snow was moving into the Taos Ski Valley when I captured this panorama. Luckily I escaped with just a slight soaking of my clothes.
Valle Vidal in Autumn
The Valle Vidal in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico is quite the view during the autumn color change. The valley stretches out below you and the mountains are dappled in yellow and gold with the air is crisp and clean. From the higher altitude, you can view the high peaks to the south near Taos and Santa Fe. What a wonderful sight.
St. Louis Creek in the Fraser Experimental Forest
We were afforded the opportunity to relax and contemplate our existence next to this waterfall on a hike up St Louis Creek in the Vasquez Wilderness. The exploration of the Colorado Rockies help ground wayward souls. Teig and I are so very lucky to experience this wonderful life.
Autumn Colors Above Camp Hale
A 180 degree view from a few hundred feet above Camp Hale in the Eagle River Valley north of Leadville Colorado. This valley was surrounded in early Autumn color and we spent a good half day playing and exploring around Camp Hale.
Autumn Colors at Weston Pass
One of my favorite 4x4 roads is Weston Pass outside of Leadville Colorado. Coming from the Arkansas River Valley up to the top of the Mosquito Range is quite the visual experience especially when the colors are changing in fall. This view was mine late in the afternoon as I looked back towards the Collegiate Mountain Range with Big Union Creek winding down the valley.
Valle Vidal Corral
We came upon this western corral on our travels across the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. The autumn colors were showing in the aspens and we explored the corral and the valley below. The southwestern flavor is fantastic in New Mexico and the western ranching history is so very interesting. Don’t pass on the opportunity, if you ever get a chance explore the Valle Vidal region of the Sangre De Cristos.