The Ojito Wilderness

From the Ojito Wilderness to Cabezon PeakOjito Wilderness Panorama #2Ojito Landscape #2PalisadeOjito CastleOjito BadlandsSouth of Ojito #2Ojito Wilderness PanoramaOjito OrangeOjito GhostHorizontal PetroglyphsOjito Landscape #3Ojito LandscapeOjito SunsetEast of OjitoOjito White HoodoosWhite Mesa Bike TrailCollared LizardMohawk MesaDesert StormOjito Badlands at NightSouth of OjitoOjito Wilderness Panorama #3

The Ojito Wilderness is only a few dozen miles from Albuquerque, and I’ve been there many times—each has been a different experience. When I moved to New Mexico in 2001, Ojito was the newest wilderness in the state. I’m pleased that a few more have been added since then, including the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. The terminus of the colorful Nacimiento Mountains is to the north. The White Mesa mountain-bike trails and fantastic Tierra Amarilla Anticline are to the east. These old dinosaur stomping grounds are strewn with ruins, both ancient and more recent. There are petroglyphs and hoodoo badlands too. Many trailheads provide access.

Most of these photographs are also in my New Mexico Badlands Photos and More New Mexico Badlands galleries, but there are a few images only found here.