New Mexico

New Mexico is one of the states that we can visit relatively often as it borders Arizona. It also has spectacular scenery and landscape variety and some of the oldest European built cities in the United States. It also has acres upon acres of wilderness and is the place where we saw our first and only mountain lion to date.

Map of Travels

Trips

• 
  Strawberry Canyon and a rough end to our unlucky dayOctober 16, 2023
  Last hike in our trip is in Strawberry Canyon towards the top of the mountain before returning to Phoenix with another tire blowout on the way
• 
  An eventful morning and Milk Ranch CanyonOctober 16, 2023
  After a morning unexpectedly spent repairing our tire we drive to Milk Ranch Canyon for a nice hike in the high forest
• 
  Pueblo Bonito and Casa Rinconada at nightOctober 15, 2023
  Before returning to Gallup we visit in the increasing darkness Pueblo Bonito and with flashlights at Casa Rinconada the largest kiva found
• 
  Peñasco Blanco ruin and returnOctober 15, 2023
  The highlight of the day is the exploration of Peñasco Blanco a well preserved ruin affording great views of the surrounding area before returning to the car
• 
  Petroglyphs and Ruins on the way to Peñasco BlancoOctober 15, 2023
  The trail to Peñasco Blanco is a highlight in itself with a couple beautifully situated ruins and an extensive petroglyph area as well as the Supernova pictograph
• 
  Chaco NHP – Pueblo del ArroyoOctober 15, 2023
  We start our visit to Chaco with a tour of impressive Pueblo del Arroyo close to the start of the Penasco Blanco trail
• 
  Casamero Pueblo, the lost oneOctober 14, 2023
  Casamero Pueblo was on our radar for quite some time and today we finally made to this secluded ruin part of the Chaco culture area
• 
  A Revisit of El Morro National MonumentOctober 14, 2023
  We barely make it to El Morro prior to the closing of the trails and therefore can explore only the shorter trail to the many historic inscriptions on the cliffs
• 
  Ice Cave and Bandera VolcanoOctober 14, 2023
  One of the attractions we wanted to visit on this stretch of road is Bandera Volcano and Ice Caves a private attraction which is worth a stop
• 
  Our first Annular Eclipse in GrantsOctober 14, 2023
  We start our NM visit with our first ever annular eclipse that we are watching from an official location in Grants
• 
  Aztec Area Ruins, UFO Landings Sites and ArchesOctober 17, 2022
  One half day in the Aztec area exploring the National Monument and the public lands before returning to Phoenix
• 
  Two days in Los Alamos for Fun and TrainingOctober 15, 2022
  Two days exploring secretive Los Alamos while at a conference
• 
  The fascinating Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks NMJanuary 21, 2013
  Last stop for our trip is at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks NM a fascinating area with beautiful formations that is worth visiting
• 
  Snow Geese at Bosque del Apache NWRJanuary 20, 2013
  Our main goal for the trip is the special Bosque del Apache NWR where thousands of snow geese and other birds overwinter
• 
  San Lorenzo CanyonJanuary 20, 2013
  On the way to the wildlife refuge we explore the San Lorenzo Canyon finding a couple of caches and enjoying the beautiful rock formations
• 
  Albuquerque Old Town explorationJanuary 20, 2013
  We spend a couple hours exploring the surprisingly empty old town area of Albuquerque with a couple quirky chapels
• 
  Staying on and visiting the UNM CampusJanuary 20, 2013
  We stay for two nights close to the University of New Mexico Campus and spend some time exploring the campus and the area
• 
  Long drive back with a stop at Camel RockMay 31, 2011
  The drive back takes about ten hours so the only stop we have planned is at Camel Rock a fun formation along the way
• 
  East Fork Red River TH hikeMay 30, 2011
  In the afternoon we explore a beautiful trail with wildflowers from East Fork Red River TH which ends with a mishap that luckily gets resolved
• 
  Exploring downtown TaosMay 30, 2011
  We spend midday in Taos which is considered to be an artist colony and is full of stores, artist studios and restaurants
• 
  Santuario of Chimayo and Las Trampas churchMay 30, 2011
  On our way to Taos we visit Santuario de Chimayo a small shrine that has become one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage centers in the United States
• 
  Short day in and around Los AlamosMay 29, 2011
  Los Alamos is the birthplace of the atomic bomb however we spent less than we intended in the area due to our tire issues exploring mostly the Valle Grande
• 
  Eventful Bursum Road with stops at Mogollon Ghost Town and Bear Wallow LookoutMay 28, 2011
  We take a backroad towards Albuquerque stopping at Mogollon Ghost Town and Bear Wallow Lookout before disaster strikes
• 
  The Catwalk, a thrilling adventureMay 28, 2011
  We start the day with a surprisingly interesting one mile trail along the historic 1890s mining suspended walkway
• 
  Brushy Mountain CampingMay 27, 2011
  The first day we leave late so we drive to a relatively small peak in a quiet area to camp for the night