Valles Caldera, Sept 11, 2015

(Be sure to click on the images for a larger image)

We’re hitting the Valles Caldera one last time before it becomes a part of the National Parks System.  We visited the Caldera several times this year when the Preserve started issuing a limited number backcountry passes to the general public on a daily basis.  We like the open area of the San Antonio valley for both hiking and fly-fishing.  We don’t know what if any changes will come of the transfer of ownership.

We know not to expect fall colors, based on previous years they are not due until sometime in mid October.  Since our deluge in July we have gone back to a drier than normal August and first part of September.  We are certain the rivers will be down so we are prepared to make this a photo trip.

Rio Puerco, July 17, 2015

The Rio Puerco; Byron and I have been looking forward to returning here since we got back home from our visit last year.  It is a long hike, approximately five miles, but that makes the fishing and photography all the better.  We only know of a few other diehard fishermen or women that will make this hike for the opportunity to land wild cutthroats in a pristine river valley.  Last year’s visit was the first time I gave fly fishing a try, and was successful at landing a few trout.

Rio Mora, July 3, 2015

It’s the Fourth of July weekend so we are expecting lots of campers, along with campers come fishermen and women.  Since Mark and Byron don’t like to share fishing locations we anticipate hiking some distance to get to a long, empty spot on the river.  This really works into Mark’s plan.  He and Byron have fished the Mora several times and never made it upstream more than a mile or so.  Those of you that have been following my blog know that they rarely make it more than 20 minutes upstream from the last people they see before they have to stop, put together their gear and start fishing.  This time Mark’s goal is to make it to the confluence of the Mora and Bear Creek somewhere between one and a half and two miles upriver.

Valles Caldera, a week later (June 5, 2015)

The Caldera draws me/Byron like a magnet.  We were here only two weeks ago but we have to go again.  The people working the desk recognize us from our last visit telling us what kind of water levels and fishing conditions to expect. A few people are signing up for the back road passes but there are still passes available.

Valles Caldera, May 22, 2015

The Valles Caldera Preserve, (VC) has recently been incorporated into the National Parks System.  Operating under the new government entity has brought new fees and new access.  Byron suggested we visit before throngs of people take advantage of the new system.  To find out more about the Valles Caldera go to http://www.vallescaldera.gov/

Jemez Mountains, May 15, 2015

I decided early this week to go out for another hike, this time up in the mountains.  A few weeks ago we passed through this area on the way to the Rio Cebolla (May 6, 2015 posting).  I saw several locations with groups of aspen just waiting to put on their spring green and thought that waiting a couple weeks would put them in full green.

Heavy clouds and rain are promised throughout the day.  I am willing to dodge the raindrops if and when they decide to come.

San Antonio Creek - May 8, 2015

We are off to the San Antonio Creek for a fly fishing and photography expedition.  The San Antonio Creek is accessible from multiple locations in the Jemez Mountains.  It parallels State Road 4 from La Cueva, NM to Battleship Rock where it merges with the East Fork of the Jemez River then turns into the Jemez River.  There are multiple pullouts along SR 4 for picnicking and fishing.

Weather transitions, April 24, 2015

As usual spring weather is unpredictable.  If you live in the New Mexico you know spring is synonymous with wind.  As we plan our hike we are watching for wind.  I have seen my fly fishing buddies battling the wind and it usually makes for a very long day.

Winter's recession, March 13, 2015

Today’s weather forecast is for a 60% chance of rain.  Will the weather forecaster’s prediction be right a second time?  Last time we hiked we got both rain and snow.  We are going anyhow; it’s warmer so if anything it will be only rain.

We’re going to the Pecos Wilderness just east of Santa Fe.  Our goal is to hike along the Pecos River possibly to the Box then take a look at the Rio Mora.  

Sandia Crest - Feb 27

My story starts the previous Tuesday, “Mark wants to go up to the Pecos Wilderness this Friday”, Byron mentioned to me in my office.  “We’ll check out a couple of the rivers for fishing later this year”.  I thought ‘Hmm, I’m in, but I’m also certain there will be a fly rod or two accompanying us, along with the other necessary tools to ‘wet a line’’.  (I’m picking up on the fly fishing lingo)...

Guadalupe River/Gilman Tunnels

We took advantage of the 60° winter weather, in mid February, to hike around the Gilman Tunnels and Guadalupe River.  We chose a destination close to Albuquerque because of our late start.  With the seeming never ending Bernalillo road construction slowing us down, we arrived at the Tunnels in just over 90 minutes.  The Gilman Tunnels are a short detour off the Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway; check out the website for more information http://www.newmexico.org/jemez-mountain-trail/

Yosemite National Park (part 3, final)

Today is the final day of my workshop/vacation.  Believe it or not I am up at 430 again to catch sunrise from Tunnel View.  I figure I won’t be here again anytime soon so I had better do it now.  The weather forecasters are predicting a front passing through the area with some wind but I’m not counting on anything.

Again, I am the first one set up waiting for something to happen.  There are some clouds in the area but it’s too dark to tell what’s going on up there....

Slow start

One month in and I’m already one month behind.  I have been delinquent in getting out for my monthly hikes; a goal for 2015.  I can use the ‘snow’ excuse since it did ‘snow’, I’m afraid when I show my snow images you will roll your eyes, shake your head followed by leaving my blog, never to return.  I know better than to believe the weather forecasters about precipitation but I don’t want to be two hours away in my little truck without snow tires when they happen to get the forecast right.

Expected departure 720 AM

That’s not my departure; my departure started at 500 this morning.  I have a 90 minute drive to the Bosque del Apache to catch the morning exodus of snow geese.  I have visited the Bosque several times; always catching their return at the end of the day.  It is a sight to see but the return is not as organized as the mass flight out in the morning.  Since my visit to the Bosque two weeks ago I decided to make the extra effort to see the morning flight.

Yosemite National Park (part 2)

Sentinel Dome

430 sure does come around early, especially when one is on vacation!  Yes I did get up at 430 so I could be ready and waiting for sunrise in Yosemite Valley.  I studied the maps so I’d know where to stop. Once you miss your stop it’s a long drive through the park to get back here.

As it turns out I am not the first up and about; as I get out of the car I already see climbers scaling up El Capitan.  In the dark, I could plainly see several groups of climber's headlamps sweeping up and down the rock face as they slowly moved up the mountain....

Bosque del Apache

Get out today or wait ‘till next year, (it’s Dec, 29^th) today's forecast is for sun and 50’s, although right now it is in the low 20’s.  Cold and windy conditions are forecast for the next several days.  Snow is possible.  We have had little to no snow this winter; I believe it is more hope than reality.  We have been planning a trip to the Bosque for the past few weeks so when the weather looked good we jumped on it.

Yosemite National Park (part 1)

Tenaya Lake

I’m on my own now.  No instructor to answer my questions on lighting, composition, what lens to use and no one to set the schedule to be on the road by 0500!

When I registered for the photography workshop I didn’t consider going to Yosemite.  I didn’t realize how close it is to where the workshop is being held.  I have seen photos and while it looks impressive it was never high on my list of places to see.

Eastern Sierra Workshop, part 9, final part

Today is the last day of the workshop.  Over the last 3+ days we have been out to nine locations looking for sunrises, sunsets and filling in with locations where lighting was not as critical.  We also fit in a critique midway through the workshop and will end the workshop today with a final critique hopefully seeing improvement in all our work.

We started at 530 at Mono Lake.  There are so many places to set up and compose images that this location could keep us busy for several more days.  I varied my locations and elevations along the shore including more foreground in my images.