Ghost Ranch, NM

Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011.  Today's adventure would find me at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico about a 30 mile drive from where I live.  It is one of the places where Georgia O'Keeffe lived during her New Mexico years and a lot of her paintings are of this area.  I am going to hike up Box Canyon which she said was her favorite hike.  I like it because it is so scenic and once I get up on the mesa top I have never encountered anyone else.  On the way to the trailhead I pass a nice view of the Chama River.

After parking my truck I step onto the trail to begin my hike up Box Canyon.

Not far up the trail I pass a restored hogan.  Hogan's are the house like structures that the native people lived in.

Continuing on you can see one of the mesa's that begin to form the canyon.

As I get closer the size of this mesa becomes almost overwhelming.

A little farther up the trail I pass a pond formed by a mountain stream.

I liked the way the shadows were creeping up the cliffs in this next picture.  You can see how rugged this area is and why I have to be careful when I start hiking up on top.

The trail is hard to see but my destination is through that crevice and then on to the top.

Once I get through I turn around for a view of where I came from.  You can just make out the trail.

 The remaining climb that lies ahead of me.

This Ponderosa Pine makes for a striking contrast with the blue sky.

Finally up on top I enjoy the view of my hike up Box Canyon.

Hazel Doggie decides to rest.

A quick message for Maddie, Izzy, Ben & Nate as I get ready for the hike back to my truck.