Winter Wonderland paddling – kayak photography at Cochiti Lake on the Rio Grande in New Mexico.

Paddling adventures in The High Country – Part I

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A flock of Seagulls on a beautiful sunny winter day on the Rio Grande.

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Desolate Rio Grande mud bank in the dead of the New Mexican winter.

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Kayaking in the desert? That was my question when I lived in Santa Fe a few years ago. Coming from south Florida, the question might seems an oxymoron. Truth is the high desert environment of New Mexico has many rivers running through it. There are excellent seasonal white water paddling opportunities, yet I wanted a slower pace to focus on photography and to “get to know the place”. At first I really missed the ocean, then after a while the desert really grew on me, and I began to think of it as an ocean of dirt. I decided to bring with me a 14 foot sit on top kayak, the well known Necky Dolphin.

Also, I was determined to make this a year round sport!

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Cochiti Lake on the Rio Grande has two boating access points.

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Upstream on the Rio Grande towards Bandelier National Monument is where the best paddling is!

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Living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the closest large body of water is Cochiti Lake, about 20 miles due west as the crow flies from the city. It is actually a part of the Rio Grande and was constructed for flood control and irragation needs. As you can see in the google earth image, agricultural fields start immediately past the earthen fill dam. There are two boating access points, both on inclined paved ramps. The east side on the Tetilla Peak Recreation Area and is seasonal access only in the summer months. The other, bigger ramp is on the west shore called the Cochiti Recreation Area and open year round. The lands surrounding the “lake” are property of Cochiti Pueblo, which is one of several Native American Pueblos in New Mexico.

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Let’s go paddling!

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Kayaking on this section of the Rio Grande is generally flat water, although the “lake” section is big enough for a good fetch of wind to blow sometimes. This lower open section is favored by sailors and most boaters. The more interesting paddling is done upstream where there are many bends in the river and small seasonal geographical differences due to water level changes and erosion. At over 5000 ft elevation this area gets plenty of sun year round and offers incredible star gazing on a moonless night!

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Launching my kayak into Cochiti Lake, New Mexico.

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My truck at the Cochiti ramp after an all night snow.

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When winter paddling anywhere but the tropics, multiple thermal layers and waterproof clothing are a must! For ultimate comfort and safety the best choice is a dry suit designed for paddlers along with a proper fitting PFD (lifejacket). I used a Necky Dolphin kayak with well sealed waterproof hatches, but as a a sit on top kayak it left me completely exposed to the elements. With careful layering of clothing I was always comfortable. I solved the final piece of the puzzle – keeping my fingers dry and warm, with neoprene Pogies. I also got some cheap extra large insulated snow boots that worked wonders keeping this Floridian’s toes warm!

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These snow boots worked great keeping my toes warm in my SOT kayak.

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At one point there was a little makeshift shelter on the east bank of Cochiti Lake.

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It’s been over 40 years since the Cochiti Dam flooded and pooled into this valley. Piñon trees (a type of Pine tree) cover the hillsides of the topography all over the southwest and the flooded dead remnants still ring the perimeter of the “lake”. Their twisted branches make for picturesque and sometimes eerie frames of the landscape.

The pine nuts from living trees are harvested and make a

delicious addition to all types of cooking!

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Snow covered peaks of the Jemez Mountains framed by a dead Piñon tree on Chochiti Lake.

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Cold weather protection layers for this Floridian!

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I wasn’t planning on going snorkeling, but as a Floridian chose to represent!

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The day eventually cleared up and everything became blue and white!

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The Continental Divide runs along the mountains just to the west,

so it feels like paddling on top of the (North American) world!

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Cholla cactus in northern New Mexico.

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Frozen vegetation clapotis over the Rio Grande.

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On a mud bank with my sit on top Necky Dolphin kayak.

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Sometimes beautiful and magical ice formations appear literally overnight and I was lucky enough to find and photograph them. Blessings!

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ART of the Rio Grande – Anthropomorphic magic forms and Riparian voices

“Trinity on Ice”
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

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A sheet of water frozen in time and left hanging off a Piñon branch.

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“Wood-b-Predator” – an anthropomorphic driftwood piece that found me!
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

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Northern New Mexico is an interesting place.

This “lake” has spoken to me many times through the seasons!

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Looking north, upstream on a fine winter day.

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The best kayaking is done upstream on the Rio Grande. Later in the spring you can paddle right up next to Bandelier National Monument.

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Enjoying the sun and paddling in the New Mexican winter!

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“Nativity in Ice” – Mother Mary and the baby Jesus with goat at Her feet.
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

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I discovered the incredible ice formation above the day after Christmas .. and within five minutes it broke off and fell back into the water.

Bless UP!

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“Jabba the Hut” chills on the shores of Cochiti Lake in New Mexico.
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

“Toong mee cha kulkah du Boonta magi…”

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“Pearl necklace”

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Ice acting as a lens – the entire landscape is inside this 360 focal point on a stick.

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“Cochiti Swan Lake”
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

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Anthropomorphism became a theme, as I kept finding instance after

instance of anthropomorphic ice formations and driftwood forms.

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“Ice Rhino”
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

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ART of the Rio Grande – Anthropomorphic magic forms and Riparian voices

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“Goose”
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

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Water drips off these icy teats on a winter afternoon in New Mexico.

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“Frog”
Kayakfari ART photography – ART of the Rio Grande series.

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Dead Piñon trees in the warm afternoon glow.

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A Piñon tree lays on a bed of clay soil and desiccated winter vegetation.

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A selfie at being 20 000 BC in a cave – good for an afternoon. 😉

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Canada Geese wintering over on the shores of Cochiti Lake in New Mexico.

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Late afternoon shadow paddling close to winter dry vegetation that glows like gold!

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A “soft” landscape portrait shows off the winter colors of Cochiti Lake.

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“Soft” winter panorama over the Rio Grande in norther New Mexico.

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New Mexico is a sunny kind of place – winter, summer and in between. Because of the high altitude and all that radiant solar heat I could actually tan in the dead of winter!

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Extreme winter chilling setup on Cochiti Lake.

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Breaks in the ice at Cochiti Lake.

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Winter sunset over the earthen Cochiti Dam on the Rio Grande in New Mexico.

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Winter paddling in New Mexico is a special treat. Don’t let the sunny pictures fool you – it is still cold in the dead of winter, particularly at night!

Protective clothing such as a drysuit, dressed for immersion along with a PFD life jacket will ensure comfort and safety.

Read up on winter paddling and cold water safety,

and the realities and inherent risks of sub-freezing paddling!

Breaking the Ice: Winter Paddling (Sea Kayaker Magazine)

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Jah Pastafari! My dreadlocks helped keep me warm on a cold clear night in the high desert!

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There is one small island on the east bank of the open “lake”. At the time it had one lone tree on it and I dubbed it the “Burning Bush”. It was a small tree, maybe five feet tall, and always looked scraggly as on the verge of dying. Amazingly over the seasons it eventually prospered even through floods and drought.

From the looks of google earth it’s still there and now has company!

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“The Burning Bush” – in the high desert. Bless!

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The skies are very clear on Cochiti Lake – at 5300+ ft almost already in outer space!

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It’s a whole different world when everything is frozen all around!

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The Rio Grande flows south past Bandelier Nat Monument and pools at Cochiti Lake courtesy of the Cochiti Dam.

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Now for some black and white beauty ..

I hope you’ve enjoyed this photographic journey through

New Mexico’s

winter wonderland on the Rio Grande at Cochiti Lake!

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“Dead Piñon”

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“Arch over the Jemez mountains”.

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“Canada Geese in winter”

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“Ice melt on Cochiti Lake”.

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Continue on to Part II:

Ice breaking on the Rio Grande!

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BLESS!

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© 2014 – 2022 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.com . All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved!

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DISCLAIMER:

The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

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I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!