Bridget's turn to lead a hike, but once again sister Meagan takes over as Bridget recovers from surgery. (and doing fine--or hopefully will be by the time she sees this) The hike was only 4.5 miles---and it was easy until after lunch when we had to climb back up the mountain to the parking lot... OMG what a killer climb!!
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| The Hoofers: Our leader Meagan, Karen, Lynda,Jean,Pat, Ginny, Brigitte, Hilda, Jane, Judi... |
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| And Rose |
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| As I was taking this picture, some yelled don't take those they are weeds...but they are still pretty...Pretty Field BindWeed! |
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| How can I ignore them? |
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| Velvet Umbrellawort (Mountain 4 O'clocks) |
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| Wooly Cinquefoil |
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| Heading out |
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| Jacob's Ladder |
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| Red Columbine |
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| Richardson's Geranium |
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| Whipple's Penstemon |
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| Twistpod Draba |
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| Heading up to Kiwanis Cabin |
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| Flowers along the fence |
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| Showy Fleabane |
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| Pinque Bitterweed |
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| Pinque Bitterweed |
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| Geyer's Onion |
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Well look who shows up...the gals from Placitas: Mary, Jennise, Betty, Judy, and Barb.
Now we are a very large group of 16 Happy Hoofers! |
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| Heading up the ridge to the Kiwanis Cabin |
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| Great Views all around |
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| Until we get to the cabin, graffiti strikes here too |
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| What a shame to see all this |
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| Even visitors think that this is expected of them |
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| More views and time to catch up with each other |
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| Fendler's Sandwort |
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| On the trail to the Tram |
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| Nodding Groundsel visited by bees |
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| Difficult to see but here is some Sweet Cicely (It has a licorice taste) |
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| Penstemons |
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| Osha either before or after bloom |
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| Unknown |
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| Showy Fleabane |
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| Buckwheat |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Goldenrod |
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| Mountain Spray (Rock Spirea) |
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| Hiking along La Luz Spur Trail |
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| I love how many of the trees find a place to live on the edge of the cliff |
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| An interesting rock probably cracked from the freeze and thaws it has withstood over the years...looks like a star now! |
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| I was sure to take some photographs for those who were afraid to look over their left shoulders while walking on the narrow ridge trail |
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| Giant Hyssop |
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| Geyer's Onion |
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| Wallflower |
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| Geyer's Onion |
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| Hairy Golden Aster |
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| Purple Aster |
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| Kiwanis Canyon on the top of the cliff. |
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| More trees clinging to the edge of the mountain |
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| Scarlet Penstemons |
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| Sunflowers |
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| Velvet Umbrellawort (Mountain 4 O'clocks) |
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| Sapello Canyon Larkspur (Ugly Delphinium) A.K.A. Dot's Ugly Larkspur (Mountain Club) |
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| Sapello Canyon Larkspur (Ugly Delphinium) A.K.A. Dot's Ugly Larkspur (Mountain Club) |
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| Harebells |
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| Virgin's Bower (this is a perennial vining herb used by the Navajo as a lotion for backaches or swollen arms) |
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| Virgin's Bower |
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| Bright colors of lichen in the next 3 pictures...all on the same rock this was bright yellow |
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| Some more yellow, orange and light green and black |
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| This section was a brilliant orange |
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| Jean and I heard voices and there were some rock climbers across the small canyon from us....they had this rope(??) strung across to another canyon...how they did it???? why they did it???? Unfortunately the viewpoint we had was not good enough to figure out exactly what they were doing or trying to do? |
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| The Y on La Luz Spur Trail always a great lunch spot for our group |
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| Time for lunch!! Front to back: Meagan, Ginny, Jennise, Betty and Judi |
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| Karen and Judy |
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| Pat and Lynda |
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| Jean and Barb |
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| The "Unknown" Hiker (Brigitte) and Mary |
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Et Moi!! |
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| The tiniest Penstemon we had ever seen |
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| It took more than these two photos to get a clear picture...I spared you the blurry ones |
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| Sandia Alumroot, ( Sandia Mountain Alumroot or Coralbells) This is a rare species endemic to the mountains of Central New Mexico restricted to cliffs and rocky crevices |
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| The "bells" blend into the reddish rocks of the mountain and are very hard to see in this picture |
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| A Red Columbine with the green "seed pod" emerging from the blossom |
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| Gall on oak leaves.... Jean told me these were insects that implant themselves on the leaves until mature.. |
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| They do not hurt the leaf or plant just leave a hole behind after they emerge |
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| And now, the hard part. Climbing up the mountain to the Visitor Center at the highest point of the peak where our cars are parked ....after lunch! |
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| Plants growing out of the crevices in the rocks |
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| Isn't that sweet, somewhat put in some stairs to make the climb easier...not...where's the escalator? |
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| Check out the tree growing out from a crevice in this rock face |
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| Another photo for those not wanting to look over the edge...2 switchbacks along La Luz trail on the rock slide |
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| A blooming Green Gentian (Monument Plant; Deer Ears) |
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| Green Gentian |
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| Meagan said she found a rare flower so I asked to photograph it...This rare flower, "The Awesome, Magnificent, Beautiful Meagan Flower" Is actually a rock... |
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| The flip side of "The Awesome, Magnificent, Beautiful Meagan Flower" could this be some sort of fossil? This is so cool! |
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| Oh man, we are really getting tired now |
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| Stopping to catch my breath.... I mean ....take a picture of the view |
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| Another shot as I gasp for air-- hey it is 10,000ft up! |
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| Western Yarrow |
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| Almost there... |
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| Need some more air |
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| Albuquerque in the distance |
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| That last 1/2 mile nearly did us in...but we made it! |
I called my sister when I got home and she asked me what I did today. Told her, she said "In this heat?" I said "It was cooler on the mountain." She asked what was the temperature there. I said "86* She said OK?????...brushing me off as some crazy person.... "What? It was fun!!!!!
I AM A HAPPY HOOFER AND PROUD OF IT!!
2 comments:
Hello Rose. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to come across your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am so blessed to see a team of Happy Hoofers on a trail. Those pictures give you the glimpse of what you have seen. I have enjoyed your trip to the mountain. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 37 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with thelove of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourege young and the adults form the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have your team of Happy Hoofers to come to Mumbai to work with us bringing healing to the brokenheared by becoming hands and feet of Jesus. You could send your young grown up children or grand children to work with us. I am sure you/ they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends. My eamil id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
Hello Rose. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to come across your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am so blessed to see a team of Happy Hoofers on a trail. Those pictures give you the glimpse of what you have seen. I have enjoyed your trip to the mountain. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 37 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with thelove of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourege young and the adults form the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have your team of Happy Hoofers to come to Mumbai to work with us bringing healing to the brokenheared by becoming hands and feet of Jesus. You could send your young grown up children or grand children to work with us. I am sure you/ they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends. My eamil id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
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