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.
As you can see in the entrance there is a dog who happily showed up to give the scene scale. Grateful for fortuitous moments.
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.
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.
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.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a greta week. G
18 thoughts on “Zapata Falls, Colorado, Wild Horses. 04-03-2024”
Wow the milky way is mesmerizing
So many billions of stars in our milky way galaxy and billions of galaxies out there. Mesmerizing for sure. Thanks Larry. G
As always, your photos thrill me!
Thank you so much, Amelia. Best wishes. G
Another spectacular set of photos. I really had to search for that dog, though. It did show the scale! Wow! I’ve been watching The Photographer series you suggested on NatGeo and thoroughly enjoy it. See you down the road. Mark
Hi Mark. Thanks so much. I’m glad you’re enjoying that show. I spotted the dog after the fact. It does help for scale. Stay well. G
Amazing. The abandoned homestead really speaks to me somehow—
Thanks so much Kristine That old homestead calls me for sure. I keep returning to it. G
The nand of wild horses ~ you captured them so perfect. Everytime I travel to Taos, I look for them…
As always, thanks for sharing ~
My heart is in New Mexico
The bands of horse are so unpredictable but captivate me every time when I see them on that route. I know what you mean. Thanks Elaine. G
I see what you mean about needing the dog to give the Zapata Falls picture scale. WOW! Impressive.
Thanks so much Bob. I really enjoyed your last blog post. Stay well, best wishes. G
These are, as usual, enticing images. The shots around Zapata Falls wonderfully illustrate the weird geometry of Winter.
I like your observations a lot, John, “the weird geometry of winter.” Thanks so much my friend. I hope you are doing well. G
Another great collection, Geraint. The black and whites are so evocative. Just super. Jim
Thanks so much, Jim. I hope you are doing well. Best wishes. G
Great frozen falls yes glad the dog joined in thanks
Dogs are always welcome. Thank you again. G