Petroglyph National Monument, Boca Negra and Rinconada Canyons

I started the Boca Negra hike alone when my wife dropped me off so she could go do other things. This is a pretty small canyon with some fairly steep, probably intermediate rated trails. Of course anytime you are in the desert you must keep your eyes open for rattlesnakes. I, being me, was keeping my eyes out for them more than most because that is the number one animal I want to see when I'm out and about. There are seven species in New Mexico and I want to see them all.

I hiked around the rim of the canyon for a few just enjoying the view then made my way to the bottom. The petroglyphs were not too hard to spot, a few are even marked by signage. It is so thought provoking to stand and look at those and suppose what the artist intended. When you look at today's art and some of the abstracts that appear you really have to wonder if they "meant" anything or was this just early human "doodling?"

It was a very warm, sunny day so most wildlife was smarter than me and staying hidden in the shade. I was fortunate to see what I think for sure was a western wood pewee (contopus sordidulus), several lizards as you always do here, a turkey vulture (cathartes aura) soaring overhead in the ever-present desert thermals, and a rock wren (salpinctes obsoletus).

After Jodi picked me up and we had some more wonderful New Mexican food ( I SO love living here) we headed to the Petroglyph National Monument visitor's center. We talked a little to the ranger there and decided our next stop would be Rinconada Canyon.

This is a larger canyon but has a really well marked trail. Marked both where to go and where NOT to go. That is one thing we both vehemently try to do is respect the hard work and effort by rangers and trail builders by not veering off trail. I won't say it never happens but we do try hard.

There are supposed to be over 600 petroglyphs on the trail. We found a lot more here than I had earlier in Boca Negra but I will not claim to have found anywhere near 600. But we did get here kind of late in the afternoon and couldn't dawdle and expect to get out before the gate was locked.

Again just looking at the different designs, and the grouping of these designs, left ones mind wondering as to the lives of the people that drew them. Being in the dry, seemingly infertile dry soil of the desert I also remarked to Jodi something about imagining the pioneers from the young eastern U.S. as they traveled across wondering if the desert would ever end or if it just kept getting worse.

We made it out in plenty of time and was treated to an adult roadrunner right by the parking lot that let me take a few photos before moving on into the sand sage and other shrubs.

If you're in the area I strongly recommend a visit to Petroglyph National Monument, it will make you wonder as well. And what else are our minds good for?