Time to move on!

Still bouncing around between El Vado, and Heron State Parks. On my 7th week now. Weather been fantastic hardly a day above 80. One could spend a whole summer between the two, but I am ready for some new experiences, so waiting on some mail to arrive early next week, then its off to higher elevations. 

The picture above is courtesy of Taos ski valley. Snows almost gone, so plans are to spend a few weeks hiking some of the states highest peaks. Heres a few more Osprey pics I took on my local hikes....

 Ospreys are about 2 ft in length, and can have a wingspan of 6ft. They dive at speeds of 80 mph. Watched the Osprey above took out a large crow for getting to close to its nest.

 and when you take pictures they get pissed!

 Really pissed!

 The hiking path leads right passed there nest, so I try not to bother them, but they've even swooped at me a few times I am pretty sure raptor talons cant feel good.

Good Day!

Rio Chama Trail

 The Rio Chama Trail is a 5.5 mile one way trail connecting Heron State Park to El Vado State Park. The two parks Ive been bouncing  between now for a little over 6 weeks, so its just about time to move on. The trail spans from grasslands on the El Vado side to the ponderosa pines on the Heron side. Heres a few more pics.....

 Down, down, down!

 Looking back at the stairs.

 Suspension bridge 

Not photo of the year, but did manage to stir up some Elk.

 2005 rock slide

 Massive boulder that broke loose actually jumped the trail making a huge hole.

 View from the Mesa with El Vado lake in the background.

Thanks for visiting. Good Day!

Salmon Run Trail

 Salmon Run Trail is a 5 mile (10 mile round trip) located in Heron State Park. Starting at the Heron dam, and ending at the visitor center, or vice versa. No real elevation gain, so the hike is relatively moderate.

 Hilltop looking towards Taos.

 Guess this is where all the tumbleweed ends up. Whole area was packed full of it!

Destination. They also will receive UPS and Fed Ex packages for you here, unless you are unfortunate enough to get the lazy UPS driver, then youll have to drive to the Los Ojos post office.

Man made Ospreys nest up close.

 You can continue your hike for another 3 miles from the visitor center on the east meadow trail which leads to the a lookout to see the source of Heron Lake.

All the water used to fill Lake Heron is run through a series of underground tunnels the longest being the Azotea tunnel running a length of 12.8 miles under the continental divide.

My camp in the trees in the distance from the trail. Thanks for visiting! Good Day!