Mogollon, New Mexico

Mogollon, NM – Welcome To Mogollon N.M. Ghost Town

After locating zero elk from the north side of 16B we packed up camp & decided to move southward to check other areas. Heading west on NM-159 there’s a cool little mining ghost town called Mogollon, New Mexico. Evidence of the old mining operations are scattered about town and include mine/cave entries like this one … Read more

2020 Elk Hunt @ New Mexico Gila Wilderness

Looking north across Snow Lake from the Continental Divide Trail

Finally I had arrived in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness! It was a long drive and I completely underestimated how long the final stretch would take but I made it in one piece. Had to take a few glamour shots of the new-to-me Toyota Tacoma that handled the terrain like a champ. These photos were at … Read more

Capulin Volcano National Monument [Failed]

Capulin Volcano National Monument

My final stop before reaching the Gila Wilderness was at Capulin Volcano National Monument, a large extinct cinder cone volcano that you can drive up to in Capulin, New Mexico. My only mistake was stopping at the entrance sign to get these two photos. Trucks for scale. See that red truck in the first image? … Read more

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument - View from inside the cliff dwellings

Headed out from Las Cruces and bid my family farewell. Today was dedicated to a singular goal of visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. I have made attempts in the past (see here in 2018) and always ran out of time or got turned back due to weather changes. No more barriers today and … Read more

Organ Mountains – Fillmore Canyon

Organ Mountains Fillmore Canyon Trail - Red rocks at sunset

Rolled into Las Cruces very early in the afternoon meaning I had a few hours of daylight for a hike – finally, A HIKE! Weather was perfect and I was dying to stretch my legs. Drove to a couple super off-beat trailheads I found on AllTrails but roads were impassable. Gave up and headed to … Read more

Irma’s Restaurant @ Deming, NM

Irma's Restaurant @ Deming, New Mexico - Fried Gorditas with Chicken...Muy Delicioso!

Left Benson in the early morning and started heading very far eastward. Crazy fog, clouds, wind, and some rain across I-10. Traffic on a tuesday morning is pretty light and the drive is pretty monotonous anyways so it didn’t matter. Met my dad & his co-workers for lunch at Irma’s Restaurant in Deming, New Mexico. … Read more

Dripping Springs Natural Area

Dripping Springs Natural Area – Trail into the Organ Mountains

Last Day in New Mexico for this trip.  9/22 is National Public Lands Day meaning it was time to get outside and stretch my legs.  No better place than the Organ Mountains right in Las Cruces just miles from the house. My mom Sue wanted to see Dripping Springs and hit the trails with me.  … Read more

Gila National Forest Scenic Drive

Gila National Forest - Views of Gila River

Tried to reach Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument– succeeded in visiting, but was too late for the main ranger-led hike and the trail was closed.  Decided to save for another time and just enjoy views of the Gila National Forest on Highway 15. This one is from the Senator Clinton P Anderson Overlook.  I’m not … Read more

City of Rocks State Park

City of Rocks State Park – Rock formations

Today was a bit more relaxed than typical.  Did laundry & packed up my hunting gear for shipment which kept me in Las Cruces all morning.  Headed out to Deming for lunch with Dad at Irma’s Restaurant which has some dynamite food (best chicken gorditas anywhere).  Plan for the day was to check out the … Read more

Sitting Bull Falls

Sitting Bull Falls - Main Falls

Climbed out from Carlsbad Caverns with enough daylight left for long-shot destinations.  Where am I headed next?  Upwards into the mountains a bit in search of places less traveled.  Clouds were getting moody and threatening rain – not much fell, but the backdrop they provided was fantastic. Sitting Bull Falls If you follow this blog, … Read more