Friday May 19th- Part 1: Goodbye Chaco, Hello Jemez / Ponderosa / Bandelier

 Goodbye Chaco...

in the morning as we traveled south on 550 through Cuba NM and through the Jemez on Route 4, the weather report read 29 degrees and snowing 2- 4 inches at Jemez Springs ( ! ) When we came through the sun was out, and tiny bits of snow were still around in shadows. We had to do a little winter weather prep detour to Los Alamos because the expected low was to be 27- our coldest yet. But from that eve on, the forecast was all rosey.

Thursday May 18th- Part 3: Night Painting

Golden crepuscular rays and wind swept frozen clouds at sunset

Everyone settles in for night painting (yes, night painting)

Thursday May 18th - Part 2: Supernova Pictograph and Penasco Blanco

By 11 am the snow clouds cleared out and the hiking weather was chilly and beautiful-

These are images of the Penasco Blanco Trail, petroglyph trail, and the Supernova Pictograph. 

Painting at the Pictograph 

Thursday May 18th- Part 1: Snow day

Overnight after heavy winds and rain, about 2 inches of slushy snow fell. 

A number of students had tent malfunctions, collapses, leaks, ample gear that was warm, but not necessarily warm enough for winter camping temps. That morning was shocking but also exciting. We had to become flexible like the willow and change our plans and expectations and make sure the camp was running in top shape. A fire was the first thing we needed, after lots of coffee.

Wednesday May 17th: Chaco Canyon / Alto House

On Wednesday May 17th we hiked the backcountry trail to Alto

Pueblo Bonito Overlook

Tuesday May 16th 2017: Chaco Canyon

auspicious rainbow 

At Fajada Butte overlook

epic sky before the snow

first meal together after pitching camp in a chilly rainstorm right before the rainbows--Temp has been dropping all day, it's about 55