Let the Beauty of what you Love be what you Do...
~Rumi

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Take a Hike!

Finally, a weekend off! Yay! My schedule has tough for the past 3 months, in that I have worked every weekend, which makes it tough to get together with friends who work the normal M-F. My assignment ended on Friday, so my friend & I celebrated Saturday with a nice long hike in the Mountains above Santa Fe. I thought I'd share a few pics...


Our hike started out at the Ski Basin, above 10,000 ft... and a chilly 34 degrees!


A fair amount of the lower trail was icy as we had snow a few weeks ago and it hasn't gotten warm enough in the mountains to melt completely... just enough to start to melt & then refreeze, which made for some slow going & careful steps!

Penitente, Lake & Deception Peaks
The view as we climbed higher, looking towards the 3 Peaks.
(which is also a great hike, by the way!)


Climbing higher still, we make it to the saddle & look up toward our destination, Santa Fe Baldy @ 12,622 ft!


Yup, that's me... crossing the windswept ridge to the Summit. It looks so sunny & warm, but the wind was icy!


The views are amazing in all directions~ from rocky ridges & outcroppings...


to alpine lakes & mountains as far as the eye can see!
(Click to enlarge any of these for a better view!)


Looking down towards the ridge, it's time to descend...


back into the forest, with the sun casting late afternoon shadows.


Passing stands of Aspen that have lost all their gorgeous fall color... but still look lovely to me!


Leaves frozen in creeks display their own wintery beauty!
I did get a few cool "creeksicle" shots, but I think they deserve their very own post... so stay tuned! Until then, wishing everyone a wonderful week!
:)








10 comments:

Wanda..... said...

I enlarged them all, Becky. Loved the 'Looking down towards the ridge' photo, with it's undulating ridges of pine.

Randy said...

Bravo Becky! I have always wanted to see what it's like up there. I don't know that I could make it up that far but I am sure happy you made it there and back. I love these photos. I hope you enjoy your Sunday.

Annie said...

Oh so beautiful! You dear becky are some photographer!Happy Sunday! xoxo

Anonymous said...

You already had snow? We haven't had any here in southern Maine, yet.
Lovely photos.

Pat said...

Beautiful, beautiful, photos! Boy you take some long hikes! My favorite photo is the third from the bottom; the trees with the long shadows!

clairz said...

I'm so glad you shared the journey with us. Gorgeous photos.

joco said...

That is halfway up to the Moon!
I've never been that high on my own two feet. What an adventure.
Wonderful views.

Rick said...

Now I'm torn - better to be hiking in the mountains or strolling along beaches ! I love both, but - I'm learning to be content whatever the circumstances.

Beautiful photos Becky - each one ! I always found distances in the mountains were always deceiving - especially on the uphill !

Look forward to your creekside shots.

marianne said...

beautiful! love those bright blue high mountain skies!

Barb said...

Of course I enlarged every one, Becky! Now you're at MY altitude! That ridge line shot is spectacular. I really enjoyed your late fall hike.