Kasha Katuwe National Monument, NM

We are heading out today towards Colorado Springs, CO, where we will spend a week visiting friends.

I do have to put a "few" more pics up from one of my favorite places in-between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and that is Kasha-Katuwe "Tent Rocks" National Monument.  This is such a fun and colorful little area, complete with a slot canyon.  Mike and I did this 2 years ago and I had to go again, just couldn't keep from taking pics!  Many of these are probably from the same spots I took pics last time....but the lighting is different!;)

Embuto Trl, Sandia Mtns, Albuquerque, NM

A few days ago, Mike still being gone, I hiked the Embuto Trail in the Sandias, elevation change 2100ft.  The weather was cold (high 40s) with rain likely around 2pm.

What a great day!  Before getting on the trail, I had to explore the canyon that the trail actually follows, only higher overlooking the canyon.  That was fun!  Some small waterfalls and minor rock climbing.

Then, as the weather was still holding, I climbed up out of the canyon onto the trail.  Lovely and scenic, it rained on and off and I kept thinking as I continued up that I should probably turn around as it was looking like more rain and how far did I want to go....no one else on the trail.  But I could not stop as it was so beautiful and peaceful.  I finally called it quits upon reaching a junction with trails going in 3 diff directions.  No sooner did I start back down when it started hailing!! ( It was about 2pm!) Tiny little hail came down in a curtain!  Bouncing off the trees and me and starting to pile up it was so heavy!  I walked through hail for about a half hour before it turned to a light rain.

Just another great day!;)

snow in the mountains!

Into the canyon following the stream....

then one of several small waterfalls

lots of wildflowers down here!

looking back down on Albuquerque in the distance after hopping up on the trail

looking down in the canyon from the trail

A spotted towhee, singing his
heart out, demanded I take his
picture:)

the hail came down!!!!

South Crest Trail?, Albuquerque, NM

Goodness, time for a few posts!  We've been, sort of, in Albuquerque for a few weeks now but I went to visit my beautiful grandchildren in WA for a little over 2 weeks.  I'm back now but Mikes gone for a week diving, so I'm hiking!

I put him on the plane Saturday and drove to the South Crest Trl in the Sandia Mountains. We had not done this trail when last here 2 years ago.  Turns out, I did not do much that day either as the beautiful, partially sunny morning, turned to snow about 1 mile up the trail!  Not in the forecast;)

I made it up to the junction, 2 miles, where the South Crest Trl actually begins and just a bit past before calling it as the snow was coming down heavily and sticking and I was alone.  But it was beautiful and will have to try it again some day!

Most of the good hiking near Albuquerque is in the Sandias and this time of year you have to go prepared for any kind of weather when hiking in them:)

here comes the snow

I think he was wondering what I was doing up there!