Robledo Mountains Wilderness - North and South Slot Canyons

New Mexico March weather.
Saturday, I set out leading a planned hike to the south Robledo Slot Canyon. It was around 44 and overcast with rain in the forecast, that I was hoping wouldn't arrive till we were done. As we drove out with our group of 11, which was all that showed up (understandably) after almost 25 had RSVPd.,  to the west I could see that snowfall cloaked the Organ Mountains. We began hiking by immediately crossing the few inches of water in the river with the aid of thoughtfully placed rocks and a tire. We made our way through the mesquite and weeds and then up the massive gravel fan that led to the mouth of the slot. Shortly after entering, I felt a few drops, but instead of the dreaded rain that surely would've ended the hike right then, it was snow that was falling. Huge, wet, heavy flakes, each on a straight and fast trajectory. It was glorious and hilarious, and we reveled in the joy of the unexpected, but welcome.
We hiked out of the slot and continued past layers of travertine in the canyon walls. At a juniper where I had planned to have the group to take refuge in its shade, we briefly rested and regrouped. The snow was falling harder now, and it seemed a poor idea to continue up through the boulders to  the dry waterfall that would normally be the turnaround point. We began carefully walking back through the slot. Arriving back at the entrance we encountered a near white-out ahead of us.

The snow was sticking now as the temperature had dropped into the mid-30's. We were all getting cold and wet as snow piled up on our backpacks, and soaked our legs. In places  there was a slick layer of mud below the inch or so of snow which made the going very slippery. Back at the parked vehicles there was at least a couple of inches of snow sitting on the hood of my truck. A crazy day for hike, but I don't think anyone in the group would've have missed it for the world.
  Sunday, I decided to go out and do the part of the hike the previous day's weather had made completely unfeasible. Andrea, Seamus, Nessie and myself  would hike up to the lower entrance of the north slot canyon. The morning was cool, but sunny and nearly cloudless as we negotiated several outflow channels that brought us up about 500 feet above river.  There was a tall, most likely the tallest, juniper in the Robledos that  stood at the first bends into the shade. Beyond, there were large hackberry trees in further shadowed recesses. Shortly past them, a few little climbs quickly followed by a much higher climb,  brought me to the spot that I believe was where we were stopped in a descent a few years ago.

 We then moved over to second serpentine tributary just to the north, where we climbed up very roughly until being stopped by an undercut 20 foot pour off. This is a very scenic little area with towers, cliffs and scattered junipers. It's definitely worth the short, off trail hike.

Doña Ana Mountains, Spring Canyon, Sierra de las Uvas mini- walkabouts - Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, NMSU Lands

I've done several short hikes over the past few weekends. None were over three hours or so. Some were visiting some old locations. Others were a mix of some old territory and new. And one was completely unvisited ground. A couple were in the Sierra de las Uvas. One was in the Selden Hills.  One was over at Spring Canyon west of Picacho Peak,and one was in the Doña Ana Mountains. Along the various ways, there were petroglyphs, pottery, artifacts and grindholes to be seen. All but one were done in the sun and wind, with the last being on an overcast, but still familiarly windy day. The last few winters and summers, I've ended up doing quite a few of these mini- walkabouts. They're a great way to see  a lot of territory without a lot of fuss, but right now with spring break coming next weekend, I'm getting in the mood for something more substantial. Enjoy the photos and enjoy our 10 newly designated wilderness areas right in here  in Doña Ana County!