From high desert to higher….

 

Chilis in paradise!

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We left the Valley of Fires to head south stopping in Hatch, NM to partake in what they are famous for - Hatch Chilis! We shopped at a small chili market to stock up on dried chilis and salsa and then headed to Sparkys, a local burger joint famous for its green chili cheeseburger! It was early afternoon on a Sunday and the line was out the door - but they are pretty efficient and we were inside and seated within 30 minutes. The burgers, served with thick fries (and a fortune cookie….????) were delicious and the green chili topping was perfectly roasted. We split a mango chili milkshake as the over-the-top, not necessarily needed, accompaniment. Neither of us could finish our meal at that time and we enjoyed the rest for dinner.

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Oliver Lee State Park is located just south of Alamogordo and up in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains. The campground, dry, rocky and punctuated with a variety of cacti and desert grasses, offers amazing views out over the southern portion of the Tularosa Valley. The park has a few trails that looked interesting but the one day we had open turned into a rain day.  However, the mountains behind us glowed each night with the reflection of each sunset.

One day we explored White Sands National Park. Covering 275 square yards it is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. Unlike other types of dunes, gypsum dunes remain moist even during the longest droughts. The moisture prevents the dunes from blowing away. Grabbing handfuls of sand you can feel the moisture and see how the grains cling together. We hiked along the Dune Life NatureTrail, some of the Alkali Flat Trail (which is definitely NOT flat) and drove the Dunes Drive stopping at spots to gaze in awe at the scale and scope of these dazzling white sand dunes! We encountered very few other people along our hikes although did see many others in the far distance - some even enjoying using park sold sleds and zipping down the dunes. 

The experience was other worldly. Pictures cannot do it justice- it’s about the experience. 

However, I cannot imagine braving the dunes in the summer….. On the day we went it was probably 50 degrees, full sun with some patchy clouds, and a good breeze. You definitely needed sunglasses, water and we kept removing layers then re-adding depending on how sheltered we were by the dunes. Also…. I would not want to get lost out there! 

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We capped the day with a stop at Ceezy’s Tacos, a very small restaurant located in a small, nondescript cement block building. The tiny sign, no windows and dirt parking lot was not welcoming- however, I had done my research and was warned not to be fooled! Inside was a small Formica counter, a menu board and  approximately 5 tables - we were doing take out.  Ceezy himself took our order. 

The tacos were delicious. And the roasted chilis that came as part of the order…… Sublime!

Our lunch cost $11.86

And the obligatory picture with the largest pistachio in the world - and some pistachio ice cream! 

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Climbing into the Gila Wilderness 

Gila Hot Springs

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From the flats of the Tularosa Basin @ 4,300’ we climbed skyward. The Gila National Forest is known for the diversity in its terrain. There are peaks rising to over 10,000’ along with deep canyons, meadows and alpine deserts. We were heading to the Gila Cliff Dwellings , just north of Gila Hot Springs @ 6,000’. The ride up the mountain was spectacular as we witnessed changes in the landscape, flora, and weather as we climbed and dropped and twisted and turned around each range. When we began our ascent the map said our destination was 40 miles away. It took us over 2 hours but we enjoyed every hairpin turn. 

We spent the evening at a small horse campground that, during the warmer seasons offers mountain trail rides on their beautiful Tennessee Walkers. 

The next morning we headed up to the cliff dwellings. The sun was shining bright and the full trail up to the dwellings was totally open after a few days of closure because of ice. The steep and rocky 1 mile loop trail climbs @ 180’ above the canyon floor crossing over the Gila River numerous times. In one section of the trail there were @ 600 steps! 

This day was a mind blowing experience……

Breathtaking! 

There are about 40 rooms built inside 5 natural caves. Visitors are allowed into 3 of those caves. Archeological evidence shows that many different groups of people inhabited this area over several thousand years and most only stayed a few decades. 

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So we ended the day, after a refreshing stop in Silver City for a late lunch, at City of Rocks State Park. As we came over the crest into this valley surrounded by hills there was just a “city” of rocks. Sitting in the middle of this vast valley were HUGE rocks. Very Stonehenge like… just pilled randomly in the center of the valley - the campground surrounding it. Geology just kills me…. 

We are spending a few nights here because it is so beautiful and the wandering is glorious!

Next stop Tuscon.