Sally picked a great hike. And, in spite of the rolling fog bombarding the Sandia Crest and the threat of rain... yes, we felt some drops and donned our ponchos... we didn't turn back. We laughed at the prospect of lightning...after all the radio and tv towers were higher than we were and so were the trees that surrounded us. (Actually that never occurred to most of the Hoofers--and since this was my first hike with the Hoofers in like...FOREVER! I didn't bring it up!) The rain never really came, no lightning, and the fog disappeared eventually and we had a great time, a good hike and just fun!!!
 |
| As we entered the trail we were immediately greeted by flowers! |
 |
| The fearless Hoofers: Our leader--Sally, Judy P. Karen B. Janis, Barb, Tamara and ... |
 |
| Rose... a bit rusty with taking my selfie (sorry Tamara!) |
 |
| Enjoying the wildflowers as we head down the North Crest Trail |
 |
| Best guess: Fireweed |
 |
| Beautiful shady trail and the wind was kicking up pretty good, so we were grateful for the trail in the woods! |
 |
| Harebells (left) and Asters (right) |
 |
| Paintbrush |
 |
| So many beautiful wildflowers along the trail |
 |
| Paintbrush |
 |
| As we came to the area where there was a forest fire a few years ago we were surrounded by flowers! |
 |
| Lots of Asters |
 |
| And a beautiful array of colors |
 |
| Cutleaf Groundsel |
 |
| Beginning our climb to North Peak |
 |
| Sandia Alumroot (Corabells) (A rare perennial species endemic to the mountains of central NM -- in the Sandia mountains found mostly on cliffs and rocky crevice at elevations ~10,600 ft.) |
 |
| Breaking out of the trees we get a glance back at the Crest of the Sandia Mountains |
 |
| And other views as well |
 |
| Purple Asters |
 |
| Another flower found only at the top of the mountain (can't remember its name, I am really rusty--sorry) |
 |
| As the Sweep, I was taking my time looking at everything... and spied this Medallion Tree! |
 |
| The first Romanov Russian Tsar (Czar) Gestation Date 1613 |
There is another Medallion Tree that we didn't find. It was suppose to be ~ 100 ft. south of the Romanov Tree. I found it previously several years ago while hiking to North Peak, but could not find it this time. It is the Charles I King of England Tree. I hope it is still around!
 |
| From this spot I was able to zoom in on the Towers at the Crest as well as Hoofer Heaven (the green pasture at the edge of the mountain) which we would visit on the way back |
 |
| I saw this magnificent tree... It probably could have been a Medallion Tree... it was so huge and, as you can see, it developed twin trunks! |
 |
| Another view of the Sandia Crest Towers |
 |
| Oregon Grape flowers gone and the "grapes" took their place |
 |
| Reaching North Peak our lunch spot with great views! |
 |
| Sandia Alumroot |
 |
| They are just beautiful |
 |
| Janis at lunch sitting among the flowers! |
 |
| From left to right: Sally, Judy P., Tamara, Karen B., and Barb...and I am so rusty I forgot to take a picture of me! |
 |
| Sandia Alumroot -- since we can only see these near the crest, I took pictures of most of the ones I saw! |
 |
| This is a mushroom, we saw lots of them, but this was very unique! |
 |
| Skyrockets |
 |
| On the way I saw this unique mushroom (most likely a deformed one) |
 |
| Reaching Hoofer Heaven and looking back at North Peak where we ate lunch |
 |
| The Thumb or the Shield--I can never get it straight |
 |
| Barb, who doesn't like edges walked with us... but in the trees. We couldn't convince her that there was plenty of room between the trail and the edge. |
 |
| I took this picture especially for Barb! |
 |
| Stopping to take in all the flowers! |
 |
| I found this tree and thought it looked like a throne so I had to get Barb to sit on it for being brave enough to hike through Hoofer Heaven |
 |
| I took this picture to remind me that where this huge tree had fallen in the burn scar is the location of our Exit from Hoofer Heaven, for anyone who wants to take the reverse route. |
No comments:
Post a Comment