Update - Saturday's Hikes

Although I originally thought of heading first down to the nearest canyon to look for more Petroglyphs, as I neared the exit from the campground, I could see the Volcanoes to the north on the other side of I-40 and so I decided to head there first -- in case the winds should return and hit from the west or northwest as predicted.  I could be off the plateau and possibly in the canyon below them later in the morning.

I arrived at the access road to the Volcanoes at about 8:30 so the gate to the parking lot would not open for another half hour so, I hoofed it up the road and took off toward Vulcan Volcano -- the more dominant looking of the three.  After a good half hour of hiking through the sage brush covered landscape, I finally met a couple other hikers with their dog and they confirmed that Vulcan was the most impressive and their favorite of the three.  They pointed me toward the path to the top as they went in another direction.

A beautiful view from the top and all around -- could see the top of the canyon where I would be heading next.  First hike was about an hour and maybe a mile and a half.

Next, I drove to the parking area for Rinconada Canyon and only found a few cars parked there -- restrooms too.  I filled my small bottle with more water and headed out for the 2.5 mile roundtrip hoping to see many more Petroglyphs than the day before.  No disappointment there for sure and the weather was again superb for the hike out and the small climbs I did to get closer to some of the carved images.

I must have taken more than 50 pictures of the numerous petroglyphs that were all along the trail -- some higher up the basalt covered ridges of the canyon.  All worth the climb and the closer looks.  Of course, there were numerous other carvings with dates and names so, forget those.

This afternoon, the skies filled with more clouds and the winds have progressively gotten stiffer and are rocking the RV.  Tiger wants out again to catch the rest of a lizard he caught by the tail -- it broke off, of course and wriggled on the ground for a few minutes after.

Think I hiked 4 or 4.5 miles in all thoroughly enjoyed being out for the great views and exercise.  Tomorrow seems like a good day for checking out the historic section of Albuquerque.