So, let me take you on the hike I did today. Could be one of my favorite hikes to do as I usually do this hike when we are here. I went alone; Mark didn't feel up to it and neither did the teenage boys. The trail has a lot of hikers on it, so you're never really alone.
The lichen hanging from these trees (there's a lot of it)is called Usnea. Usnea contains potent antibiotics which can halt infection and are broad spectrum and effective against all gram-positive and tuberculosis bacterial species. A tincture of this is far more effective in treating strep throat than antibiotics. At least, that has been my personal experience. But, you do have to educate yourself on it and how to use it.
A beautiful clump, grove or whatever it would be called, of larkspur on the way up. The trail head starts at about 10,000 ft. and you end up at about 11,000 ft., so hiking up the two miles does take a bit of effort.
Stuff like this gets me excited. Geez. It's just moss. Wonder what the hikers passing by thinks of this woman on the ground in contorted postitions taking this photo!
In the mountians in new Mexico at about this time of year, people go mushroom hunting. There are edible ones that are a kind of portabello mushroom. When folks find 'sweet' spots of these mushrooms, they don't even tell their family members who are with them of their find! It's like a gold rush, but for mushrooms. By the way, these are not edible (that I know of).
I'm not sure what these are called, but there are lots of them along the trail. And asters, elderberry, wild roses, Queen Anne's Lace and much, much more!
Lots of fallen trees too in varying states of decay. The bark on this one is more like a cloak or something.
Ah! This one could be the proverbial postcard shot! If you are familiar with this mountain range, I'm looking towrds the ridge where Kachina mountain is.
As you get closer to the lake, you walk by these really LARGE fields of basalt rock covered with moss. Quite like a scene from "The Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy.
This is Williams Lake. It's not as full as it usually is this year as the area did not get as much rainfall during the summer months.
Another 2,000 feet up and you see Wheeler Peak; the highest mountain in New Mexico. Someone we know got up at 4 a.m. (Grady, Sam and ?) this morning to hike up to the lake and to Wheeler's Peak so that he could see the sunrise from there.
And there you have it. A hike up to Williams Lake. I'm not hardy enough to attempt climbing the additional 2,000 feet to get up to Wheeler. I'll leave that to those who can; like that 70 year old man that blew right by me on the trail this morning!
1 comment:
Lovely shots - NM has so much to offer! Ray and I love to visit the Jemez and hike around in the woods. A little slice of heaven. Thanks for your comments on my blog, too.
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