MAY 13 & 14    CHIHUAHUAN DESERT NATURE CENTER AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

Tuesday, May 14 was a nothing day.  We heard nothing, we saw nothing and we did nothing.  Well OK, I did do due a little blogging and there was some napping going on but that was about it.  Actually it was a pretty good day.

After our inactivity on Tuesday we decided to venture out and do a little hiking.  So we headed a few miles down the road to the Chichuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens. 

 

We decided to forgo the Botanical Gardens as most of the plants and trees we would see on our hike.  The most surprising thing I learned by coming here today is the size of the Chihuahuan Desert.  It extends from near Albuquerque, New Mexico to just north of Mexico City.  It covers over 220,000 square miles and that makes it the largest of the four North American Deserts. What is also unique about this desert is the elevation range.  The Rio Grande cuts through the lowest part at about 1000 feet elevation while isolated mountain ranges top out at over 10,000 feet above sea level. 

After our history lesson we started on our hike which initially took us into a canyon that was quite steep in places. You had to make sure you were watching where you put your feet as it would be easy to twist an ankle.  Of course, you also want to watch where you place hands and feet as they have these little things here called snakes and scorpions.  As we approached the canyon we had another view of Mitre Peak in the distance.

This is not our first Mitre Peak.  When we were in New Zealand, Milford Sound to be specific we saw another Mitre Peak.  It was just as imposing and also stood out by itself.

Mitre Peak - Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mitre Peak - New Zealand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We reached the canyon and started down and followed it for awhile.  They have a monsoon season here and flash floods are not uncommon.  You can see that this canyon would not be a very safe place if it was raining.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

We came to the point where we had to climb out of the canyon which I learned is Modesta Canyon. The balance of the hike was along the ridges of Lions Head Hill.  It gave us a nice view of the surrounding country side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 During the hike we also saw a lot of different plant life and vegetation.  I do not know the names of all of them but I took pictures anyways.  Here are a few of them.

Desert Spoon

Purple Prickly Pear



Prickly Pear in Bloom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We actually cut our hike short as we were done in, me more than Kathy.  The heat, altitude and not being properly hydrated took its toll on us, even with drinking a lot of water as we hiked.  Hydration really has to be done the day prior.   Altitude sickness is not very fun so we cut across country and headed for the car where we had a bit to eat.  From there we went back into town to get a few things in preparation for tomorrow. 

Overall it was another good retirement day.