We love to boondock. Early in our fulltime RV life, we found a neat picnic area in New Mexico called Sitting Bull Falls. The National Park Service at that time (and still are apparently) was looking for workcampers at this site. It’s a bit “out there” for us to consider spending a lot of time. There is no Internet, no cell signal, winds so high they provide chains to anchor your RV, and no good rockhounding. But for a couple of days, we are content to park in the desert and just chill.
There is BLM land just outside of the National Forest and after some driving around we have found a spot that we are happy with. Can you find us?
The last time we were here was a more of a scouting mission so we did not walk up to see the falls. Today we are. After a basically sleepless night due to the wind storm that came through and our poor parking direction choice, and the fact that winds are still howling, we aren’t sure this is the best idea. When has that ever stopped us?
Some people say they are not impressed with the mountains and their lack of tree cover, but we feel there is a different kind of beauty to be appreciated in the colors and rock formations of the bare mountains.
The wind is still blowing and gusting up to 45 mph making the 50 to 60 degree weather feels more like winter temperatures in the 30s but the sun is bright and warm.
The picnic area is very nice with covered tables and cement walkways. I bet it is pretty busy here in the heat of the summer. Elevation and shade is the key to keeping cool in the Mid-west.
Do not scoff coastal dwellers, for the desert, this waterfall is a huge thing!
It is in a lovely cul-de-sac canyon. The wind coming into the canyon hitting the cul-de-sac wall and blowing back out makes a moaning sound. We tried to take a video of it, but all you can hear is just the wind blowing.
The bottom of the falls has a small pool that wouldn’t be great for swimming but it does provide much needed water for desert animals, and it’s pretty to look at.
Despite the high winds and the threat of them blowing us off the mountain top, we decide to climb to the top of the falls. We are rewarded with a great view of the valley—
—and a quaint pool worthy of a garden area in the most prestigious of venues.
The trail continues on up the valley along the stream feeding the falls, but we are quite done with getting blown around by the strong gusts. Time to head back to the Jeep and do some exploring from inside the vehicle.
In defiance of the harshness of the desert, many plants and cacti grow in all shapes, sizes and places.
As we are descending we notice small trails leading off in a different direction to the picnic area. We both have the “Where does that go?” mentality so we follow the trail. It leads us to another canyon wall with lots of pockets. Carlsbad is know for its high bat population. I wonder if there could be some hiding here?
John is still looking for a place to shoot long range that is free of cattle and people, but hunting season still in and it seems a bit risky with the fear of a hidden hunter. The cows tend to be more obvious.
We did find a nice area with a little stream, though.
I love prickly pear cacti and this rocky area has them in abundance.
It’s like an ancient coliseum, and all the prickly pears are watching you like people do.
Okay, now its getting creepy. Time to go.
