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“Silent bliss without a compass.”

I hiked a trail without a compass within the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in the Robledo Mountains of Doรฑa Ana County, New Mexico. The area is located at an elevation of about 4,500 feet above sea level in the Robledo Mountains north of Las Cruces New Mexico with views of canyons cut into the steep…

I hiked a trail without a compass within the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in the Robledo Mountains of Doรฑa Ana County, New Mexico. The area is located at an elevation of about 4,500 feet above sea level in the Robledo Mountains north of Las Cruces New Mexico with views of canyons cut into the steep mountains, dominated by creosote.

The trackways contain footprints of numerous amphibians, reptiles, and insects (including previously unknown species), plants, and petrified wood dating back 280 million years, which collectively provide new opportunities to understand animal behaviors and environments from a time predating dinosaurs. The site contains one of the most scientifically-significant Early Permian track sites in the world.

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Although during my hike, I did not capture photographs of any trackways of prehistoric amphibians, reptiles, and insects, I’m always moved by the silenceย of the trail with only my footsteps and wind blowing breaking my silence with nature. My hike included blissfully unique landscapes views of southern New Mexico’s mesas looking southeastward towards Las Cruces NM.

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My climb in elevation of 2 to 3 thousand feet provided sidelines of the valleys across the mesas towards interstate 25 and onward to the San Andres Peaks.

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The valley below is dotted with farms encompassing both sides of the Rio Grande River with vibrant fall golden brown leaves on the pecan trees groves revealing the beauty of this area. After my hike, I capture photos from ground level of these pecan groves

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Responses to ““Silent bliss without a compass.””

  1. Brenna Skinnon

    These are beautiful! I love NM!

  2. Aman Thakur

    nice…

  3. larrydeanjacksonphotography

    It is a beautiful place!! Merry Christmas.

  4. randombitsoftrialanderror

    What a wondrous place. Your photographs are beautiful. I’m looking forward to discovering New Mexico–I’ve only driven through it and vowed to go back to experience the lovely state. Merry Christmas!

  5. lisadorenfest

    What a gorgeous post Marty! I can hear the silence emanating from the trail and feel the wind and sun caressing my skin. Beautiful imagery through both your pictures and words. The pecan groves are especially magnificent! Nice to see you out on the trail!

    1. Travel blogger / Nomadic Adventurer

      Hey thanks Lisa! Sorry for the late response. I have been focusing on my novel of short stories.

      1. lisadorenfest

        Yay! Look forward to seeing them published

      2. abbas3rddaughter

        Hi๐Ÿ˜Š
        Thank you for the detailed description of the walk you took us on with you. Thank you also for the visual pictures. They’re beautiful!
        Enjoyed it without having to leave my recliner ๐Ÿ˜

  6. Leslie

    Love these images, and I could hear your shoes crunching along the trail๐Ÿ˜Š!

    1. Travel blogger / Nomadic Adventurer

      Why thank you Leslie. That hike was extreamly exhilarating and wonderfully scenic. I will soon include backpacking to my writing experiences in the spring and summer of 2018. ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Leslie

        Sorry, Marty, but I literally just read this blog post: “5 Mistakes Beginning Backpackers Make.” It may not apply to you but….https://alexischateau.com/2018/02/12/5-mistakes-beginner-backpackers-make/#comment-11574

        1. Travel blogger / Nomadic Adventurer

          Hey Leslie, I’m following Alexis Chateau and they are similar although mine is an excerpt from a novel I’m developing about my travel adventures through out my years of travel. ๐Ÿ™‚

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