The stories of what I've seen and experienced exploring New Mexico on foot.
I don’t know
how I got here.
Dead end,
bumble through brush
and the path
appeared.
Crows inquire:
How will you get back?
I don’t know
that, either. But
I know I will.
Hike: Cedro Peak + Middle Trail, 3-29-21
Hike length: 5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trail traffic: none
Creatures seen/heard: nuthatch, crows, gray vireo, hawk, chickadees, Abert’s squirrel, pinyon jays
Wind lashes
ponderosa
cathedral. Silver needles
rain down. Blue
peeks through solemn
shadow. Bootpath
down the center aisle, snow
halfway to
your knees. Through
stained glass windows,
a hot, flat land
you wandered 40
sunblazed days, a river
without enough left
to part.
Jaychoir squawks
at each step.
Gust tosses
one tall trunk.
It squeaks, sways,
tests faith.
Below, cross yourself,
emerge blinking
into sunlight,
the service
melting
before your eyes.
Hike: North Mystery Trail at Barro Canyon, 3-27-21
Hike length: 3+ miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trail traffic: none
Creatures spotted/heard: jays, crows, chickadees
Juniper wind. Spring.
Toeteeth row caps
mesa, gray
arroyo yawns
ground.
Sky fills with
Cabezon
and I pace all
that I can
out of mine.
Hike: Continental Divide Trail, Deadman Peaks, 3-20-21
Hike length: 5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trail traffic: one other person
Creatures seen/heard: bluebirds, chickadees, dove
clinkrock
white vein
splits rust
bootthump
blue, purple
splotch underfoot
colors pop
from olive
creosote
canyon irrupts,
wallsurge –
beehive in the sky
Hike: Arroyo del Tajo, Quebradas Backcountry Byway, 3-6-21
Length: 5.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trail traffic: light
Creatures seen/heard: ravens, crows, bees, flycatchers, sandhill cranes, lizards, butterflies
Woman Seeks Elevation 