Columbine Canyon, New Mexico

Our trail lead out of the campground and followed a mountain stream up a canyon filled with Ponderosa Pine trees, Gambrel Oaks, Rocky Mountain Maples, Spruce, Junipers and Aspens. We had to walk the llamas through the creek several times along the way...I assume because it wasn't safe to walk them across the bridge with the girls on their backs.

I didn't know anything about llamas before this hike. It turns out they are very sure footed largely because they have split-toe hooves with soft, spongy bottoms that give them better traction than a horse. I learned that they have
an eleven month gestation period and they have one baby a year. Therefore, all the llamas you see in these pictures are males. The females are not used because they are either pregnant, nursing, or trying to get pregnant. Rudy, Avery's transport, was 17 years old. Andrew says a typical lifespan is about 25 years.

On the left here is our picnic site. Andrew staked out the llamas and we had a very nice lunch with a beautiful setting. I strongly recommend this to anyone considering a trip to this part of the country. Check out Andrew and his llamas at www.elpaseollama.com.