Archive for the 'Organ Mountains' Category
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
Dripping Springs – Green, Green, Green!
Old timers are saying they’ve never seen the Chihuahuan Desert around Las Cruces as green as it is this year.
Here are a few pictures taken at Dripping Springs last weekend. In spite of the cloud cover at that moment, you can see how green it is.
The rock formation in the foreground in this photo is known as La Cueva, because of the cave at its base. More on this famous cave in a later posting.
A different view of La Cueva.
The cave is located about the middle of the rock formation, at ground level, where you see several trees. There are three small springs nearby that are difficult to locate, particularly when it’s dry.
These were taken as the sun set.
To visit Dripping Springs, take University Avenue/Dripping Springs Road east toward the Organ Mountains. Stay on the road until its end, even after it becomes a dirt road. The last quarter mile before you get to the park is paved.
The park closes at 5 pm. There is a fee for hiking to La Cueva and the other areas of the park, but not for seeing the Visitor’s Center or the always SPECTACULAR VIEWS.
Related Posts:
Hiking Dripping Springs – Part 1
Hiking Dripping Springs – Part 2
Hiking Dripping Springs – Part 3
Tags: Las Cruces, Dripping Springs, Hiking, Windmill, Chihuahuan Desert
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
Soledad Canyon – Green, Green, Green!
After a very dry winter, spring, and summer, we have been getting some FINE rains. As a result, the desert around Las Cruces is greener than I can remember it ever being. It’s not just the amount of rain, probably, but it’s also the timing.
Here are some photos today taken at the base of Soledad Canyon, in the Organ Mountains.
Soledad Canyon is a public park and a wonderful place to hike. It’s about a 12 minute drive from NMSU.
To visit Soledad Canyon, take University Avenue/Dripping Springs Road east for about 4.5 miles, then turn south on the Soledad Canyon Road. That road will turn east toward the mountains in a mile; follow it all the way to the end. For the last fifth of a mile the road is unpaved; it ends at the park’s parking area.
If hiking in the park, be sure and register at the map box at the foot of the trail. You can bring your dog[s]. The park permits day use only.
Tags: Las Cruces, Soledad Canyon, Windmill, Chihuahuan Desert
Saturday, June 14th, 2008
Organ Mountains Fire
A fire, apparently arson, started today about 5:30 on the Las Cruces side of the Organ Mountains. The origin was evidently just south of Dripping Springs.
By late evening about 400 acres had been burned. Several homes were evacuated. The old sanatorium ruins at Dripping Springs are evidently not at risk.
June 17 — The fire is basically out. Fire fighters from as far away as Lincon and Silver City helped fight it.
Tuesday, September 11th, 2007
Organs and Tractors
The Organ Mountains behind a row of tractors.
Tags: Organ Mountains
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007
Squall + Rainbow
A squall lead by a rainbow blew across the East Mesa between Las Cruces and the Organs late this afternoon.
Tags: Organ Mountains, Weather
