Archive for the 'Soledad Canyon' Category
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.
Sunday, January 7th, 2007
Snow!
Las Cruces got snow this morning — but light on the west side and very light in the Organs.
The east side of Las Cruces got about an inch. Here what a pecan orchard looked like just outside of town:
This was taken in the foothills of the Organ Mountains, in Soledad Canyon. Even though this is 1200+ feet above Las Cruces, there’s little snow.
Another view:
Here’s a closeup of the windmill. This being the West, it’s got a few bullet holes.
This shows how light the snow was:
By afternoon, the sun was out and snow was going fast.
Tags: Las Cruces, Snow, Soledad Canyon, Windmill
