Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls, Colorado, Wild Horses. 04-03-2024

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Zapata Falls in winter with a lot of ice. I heard someone was ice-climbing in here a week ago, and some wild horses on the road home. I love it out here.

As you can see from the lack of photos, I didn’t make it to Chaco. I’ve camped at high altitudes in winter and never feared the cold or snow, however, I preferred to cancel this time and make a couple of local trips.

The Zapata Falls freeze heavily in winter, which makes for a slot canyon/ice cave experience. You’ll need microspikes if you go in winter or check out the falls in summer wearing your boat shoes! I was here two years ago with my friend, John, and his dog, Kiki. A dog in the shot gave scale to the place. Kiki is also on notecards at Cids, a local store.

Zapata Falls in winter
Zapata Falls, Colorado.
Zapata Falls in Winter
Zapata Falls in Winter.

As you can see in the entrance there is a dog who happily showed up to give the scene scale. Grateful for fortuitous moments.

Entrance and exit to the falls
Entrance and exit to the Zapata Falls with a dog for scale.

After checking out the ice falls we stopped in at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, but the wind was blowing sand and it didn’t look like this, so we left and went home to our dog and a warm fire.

On the way home, we spotted several bands of the somewhat elusive wild horses. Only one band was conveniently placed with the Blanca Massif as a background. This band remained static against the ferocious west wind gusts that carried my hat out into the sage brush.

Wild or feral horses, Colorado
Wild or feral horses, Colorado.

We also visited two of my favorite locations in the San Luis Valley, the old homestead, and the red barn. I’ve added two images from previous shoots. The buildings are a litle more decrepit, with bits missing, but still enduring.

San Luis Valley homestead
Old abandoned homestead and a fence ghost, San Luis Valley, Colorado.

Red Barn San Luis Valley
Red Barn in black and white, San Luis Valley, Colorado.

It’s Milky Way season. Here’s one from San Cristobal a few years ago. I’ll be out watching again from the deck this season.

Milky Way and Tipi, San Cristobal, NM
Milky Way and Tipi, San Cristobal, NM

As always, thank you for looking. Have a greta week. G