Desert Snow

Desert Dogs, Cerrillos Hills

Desert Dogs, Cerrillos Hills

Why winter in New Mexico? Because the hiking is epic, no matter the weather. We’ve had two significant snowstorms so far this year and all that white stuff adds such a stunning dimension to this desert.

When it snows, it’s not unusual to get to stuck out here for a few days until the road becomes passable. That’s one of the challenges to living down a very long, unpaved, private road: no snowplows! I don’t mind though. I always keep a supply of rice, beans, pasta, dog food and books on hand just in case. And when cabin fever strikes, I go for a good long snowy walk!

Six inches of snow on the old railroad bed. Notice the black coal under the snow.

Six inches of snow on the old railroad bed. Notice the black coal under the snow.

Desert Treasure: a 2-foot icicle!

Desert Treasure: a 2-foot icicle!

Icy Chuyo

Icy Chuyo

Yucca & Bird

Yucca & Bird

Crossing Paths: Bird & Kangaroo Rat

Crossing Paths: Bird & Kangaroo Rat

Snowy D.O.G.

Snowy D.O.G.

Snowy Bowie

Snowy Bowie

My Winter Digs

My Winter Digs: a toasty warm strawbale and mud plaster casita! Notice the Teardrop in the background.

Which also came with a yurt and a tipi!

This place also came with a yurt and a tipi!

Good Morning, Tipi

Good Morning, Tipi

Snowy Sandstone

Snowy Sandstone

Backyard Petroglyph

Backyard Petroglyph

Sandstone Lookout

Sandstone Lookout

Basalt Self-Portrait

Basalt Self-Portrait

Cerrillos Snow

Cerrillos Snow (Click to enlarge)

For more desert snow pictures, check out my previous posts: Bright Angel SnowstormUtah in Winter and Sand Dunes Snowstorm.

About theblondecoyote

Mary Caperton Morton is a freelance science and travel writer with degrees in biology and geology and a master’s in science writing. A regular contributor to EARTH magazine, where her favorite beat is the Travels in Geology column, she has also written for the anthologies Best Women's Travel Writing 2010 and Best Travel Writing 2011. Mary is currently based in western Colorado. When she’s not at the computer she can usually be found outside -- hiking, skiing, climbing mountains and taking photographs. Visit her website at www.marycapertonmorton.com.
This entry was posted in Bowie & D.O.G., Hiking!, New Mexico, Photography, Sustainable Living, Teardrop Trailer, Uncategorized, Vagabonding 101. Bookmark the permalink.

20 Responses to Desert Snow

  1. ritaroberts says:

    WOW ! Mary you really do choose some spectacular places to travel. Does Bowie like the snow enough to roll around and play like some animals do? Thanks for sharing those lovely photo’s.

  2. shazzarob says:

    Wow who would have thought it ~~snow in the desert.:)

  3. You got significantly more snow than we did over here on the west side of Sandia. But even our little bit is really wonderful…cold but wonderful:) I took pics of the snow from the volcanos looking east yesterday…will try to get them written up later today.

  4. shazzarob says:

    Reblogged this on sunshine and celandines and commented:
    Wow I love this blog. Partly because this girl has amazing adventures towing a teardrop round the states and she takes fantastic photo’s.Also she is accompanied by her very handsome dogs who always look like they are having the best time. Well worth a read. Today’s post features snow in the New Mexico dessert. 🙂

  5. Forrest says:

    Gorgeous photos!

    I feel like “that white stuff” adds a layer of magic on top of the world. It restores things to a pristine state, contrasts beautifully against red and yellowish orange rocks and the steel blue sky, and when you break trail through it, looking out at a vast landscape with no foot prints, it makes you feel like the first human ever to visit a place.

  6. Reifyn says:

    That looks like an amazing place. I remember the good old days when I used to winter in lonely places and love having the nature all around me. But I didn’t have dogs to keep me warm. That’s great too to have your own tipi and yurt just in case you need them.

  7. kerlund74 says:

    I did not actually know that there can be snow in the desert, a new experience:) wonderful views and photos!

  8. I am really enjoying the New Mexico photos. We’re finally getting some snow today, but not nearly as much as NM (yet). Isn’t that kind of ironic…. to move to Idaho and not have much snow compared to NM. Best to you out there in your winterland. Carol

  9. pmdello says:

    So much blue sky!

  10. beachman says:

    love this post Mary..I needed it badly to see all that snow and beauty in the desert seeing that I am still dealing with 85 deg weather and HIGH humidity in south florida…yuck! So cool though that there is you and your blog about your travels. This time SNOW yippee…

    I can dream of being there with you and the dogs walking in the desert, dragging my feet in the snow or licking that big icicle all the while under that beautiful blue sky and yellow sun…..

    🙂 :0 🙂

  11. Stephanie Cook says:

    Good to see you back in the USA. These pictures are just gorgeous.

  12. The first picture of DOG and the snow is a really great, classic shot, frame that one! What a lucky dog he is to have been found by you and what a lucky girl you are to have found him, great team.

  13. novasenad says:

    Reblogged this on For The Sun To Go Around.

  14. Pingback: Strawbale & Mud Plaster: My Warmest Winter Yet! | Travels with the Blonde Coyote

  15. Pingback: On the Road, Again: Southern NM & AZ to Joshua Tree! | Travels with the Blonde Coyote

  16. Pingback: Earth Day Love Letter from the Arroyo | Travels with the Blonde Coyote

  17. Pingback: Winter in the Mountains | Travels with the Blonde Coyote

Comments are closed.