After crossing the trail, the tarantula tried to hunker down under this rock but despite its best efforts it didn’t quite fit. I decided to continue up the trail and leave it be, either to stay there or find a more accommodating hiding spot.

We were hiking the Little Arsenic Trail in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area in the Rio Grande Gorge when we crossed paths with this wonderful little tarantula. I think it might be a desert tarantula since they are supposed to be common in New Mexico, and possibly a female.

While researching tarantulas, I was stunned to learn of their longevity. Species like this one don’t reach sexual maturity for nearly a decade and the females often live another decade after that. The poor males, however, survive only months after mating for the first time, one and done.

Not exactly fair, is it?

While in Taos, my wife and I drove out to the Wild Rivers Recreation Area for a little hiking and sight seeing. My wife wanted to touch the Rio Grande so after waiting for some thunderstorms to pass through, we hiked the Little Arsenic Trail down into the Rio Grande Gorge.

Following a long and seemingly endless series of switchbacks down into the canyon, we were tired but happy when we finally reached the riverbank. The trees by the water had a beautiful red color and I loved the patterns in their bark.

The hike back up was even more punishing, but I was excited to find a tarantula sharing the trail with us, the first one I’ve seen in the wild.