Snow Lake
June 1-5, 2023
We rarely camp more than one or two nights at any one location. But we stayed five days at Snow Lake, and it was barely enough time.
The Pecos River
May 5-11, 2023
Though it gets far less press than the Gila, the Rio Grande or the San Juan, the Pecos is one of New Mexico's most important rivers. The purpose of this trip was to follow the Pecos north from Bottomless Lakes to Villanueva, enjoying our New Mexico State Parks pass along the way.
Mineral Creek
May 20, 2023
An absolutely perfect day at Mineral Creek! Despite all the rain this week, the water was just high enough to be be exciting (but not dangerous). Nice mixture of sun and big puffy clouds all day, and the downpour waited until five minutes after we got back to our cars!
Little Dry Creek
April 27, 2023
Our original destination did not pan out, but the fallback was an excellent choice. Since we last hiked Little Dry Creek, the trail has been greatly improved, and this Spring's abundant snowmelt created a wealth of water features!
El Morro, El Malpais
April 10-17, 2023
We've visited this area many times, but this trip with Silver City friends Rebecca and Dale gave us more time to explore some of the lesser-known wonders of these two adjacent national monuments.
Rocky Canyon
April 6, 2023
Sometimes all you need is the dappled light of a piñon juniper forest, the crunch of yellow grass underfoot, and that bluest of blue skies.
Skates Canyon
April 1, 2022
After an extraordinarily cold and snowy Winter, Spring has finally sprung. On a clear and sunny Saturday, we set out to explore Skates Canyon in the Gila Wilderness.
Allie Canyon
March, 2023
Allie Canyon has become one of my favorite hikes. I put it on the calendar for Gila Hikers for March 25, but given our very wet Winter and late Spring, I was concerned about water levels.
Windmill Canyon
March 10, 2023
And just like that, southern New Mexico leapt from Winter to Summer! After seeing a friend's photos of fields of poppies, we headed for the Florida Mountains.
Triangle T Ranch
March 3-6, 2023
When your best friend likes a cozy B & B in Dordogne, and you like a backpacking tent on the Gila River, you meet halfway ... at an RV Park!
Rock Town Adventures
February 10-16, 2023
What turned out to be a week-long adventure began with a two-night camping trip with friends to City of Rocks, one of our favorite destinations, and now just a short hop from home.
Knight Peak
February 6-7, 2023
We'd driven by it many times and decided to do a one-night campout/exploration. Very interesting rock formations and see-forever views. We made it easily to the saddle, but got caught in a sudden snow squall. It was a good reminder of how fast conditions can change in the mountains!
Box Canyon
February 4, 2023
We never tire of hiking the many and varied canyons along the Gila River. We returned this time with our new hiking group, the Gila Hikers. The highlight of the hike was when we returned to pick up our packs after wandering upstream, and spied a troop of 9-10 coatis high-tailing up the opposite bank.
Snowstorm!
January 2, 2023
"Slight chance of snow showers, no significant accumulation." That was the forecast when I went to bed on New Year's Day.
A Tucson Christmas
December 16-21, 2022
A confluence of circumstances — back-to-back parties and one free space at Catalina State Park — drew us to spend the weekend before Christmas in Tucson. As much as we love Silver City, we do miss this place, and especially these people.
Mineral Creek
December 2, 2022
While hiking in Mineral Creek today, we were alarmed to encounter numerous fresh mining claim stakes. It was only then it dawned on me that Summa Silver's plans to redevelop silver mines near Mogollon might also impact one of the most beautiful canyons in the Gila National Forest.
Box Canyon
November 30, 2022
Box Canyon is one of our favorite hikes, and we've returned to it again and again after first stumbling onto during an exploration of the Lower Gila Box in 2019.
Quartz Mountain
November 26, 2022
The CDT south from US 90 to ridge topped with dazzling white quartz is one of our favorite hikes.
Dog Canyon, Lake Lucero and White Sands
November 16-20, 2022
We stretched a doctor's appointment in Las Cruces into a five-day trip that included the New Mexico Space History Museum, Dog Canyon, Lake Lucero and White Sands National Park.
Twin Sisters Via Arrastra
November 11, 2022
My hiking friends cautioned me that the approach to Twin Sisters from the Arrastra would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. It was a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable hike, and it may be our new local favorite!
San Vicente Creek
November 9, 2022
This area just south of town is rich in history. A spider's web of hiking trails follows the creek past old industrial sites, slag heaps, automobile graveyards, hippie homesteads and historic Chinese market gardens. It has enormous potential as a linear park, but it needs Superfund-level cleanup. Is this my new project?
Allie Canyon
November 5, 2022
I fell in love with Allie Canyon on our first visit a year-and-a-half ago. Finally the planets aligned, and we were able to return, in late Fall after a particularly generous monsoon.
Escudilla Mountain
October 20-22, 2022
As often happens, Summer gave way rather abruptly to late Fall. I was hoping to spend some time hiking in the golden aspens before it was too late. So on a sunny Thursday afternoon we packed up the camper and headed for Escudilla Mountain.
Big Dry Creek/Johnson Cabin
October 13-14, 2022
With Covid and completing the tower eating up most of the month of September, we were eager to get out. And get out we did, tackling a very tough trail on the west side of the Gila Wilderness that leads to a historic cabin on Big Dry Creek.
