MESILLA IMAGES

Here are some images from my trip to New Mexico, where I did some hiking (yes, hiking) in the

remote Organ Mountains and in the White Sands National Monument. The Organ Mountains are classic

desert mountains rising from the Rio Grande Valley. Their lower slopes are dry, and arid, but as

we climbed higher, the small scrub was replaced with Pinon Pine, Desert Juniper, and Oak.

The Organ Mountains

Desert Mountains

Jack Pine

Granite Dome

The White Sands National Monument abides by its name. Relentless Westerly winds

have created a 250 square mile sea of dunes in the valley between two desert ranges.

Once we were in the middle of the hike, the world transformed to a seemingly endless

sea of white.

The Edge of the Dunes

The Edge of the Dunes II

The White Sands

Lone Walkers