Heron Lake Marina on ice, March 14, 2011, more pix

Dockhouse and pavilion at the Heron Lake Marina, Monday, March 14, 2011

Southeast cove, with moorings in ice or on land

South Cove

/zoom view, islet in south cove

View to the west, showing much of the cove and the upper part of the Narrows in ice

View northward showing gangway to Heron Lake Marina

Dockhouse (zoom view) at Heron Lake Marina, which is located at Heron Lake State Park in northern New Mexico, USA, and owned and operated by the New Mexico Sailing Club.

Heron Lake Marina in ice, March 14, 2011

View of Heron Lake Marina from the southeast looking to the northwest. The main body of Heron Lake is to the west, via the Narrows. As of Monday, March 11, 2011, the Heron Lake Marina was still caught in thick ice, with only a small ice-free pond just beyond the marina. The main body of Heron Lake is ice free.

This gangway is at the extreme limit of its travel and does not appear to be safe for general use. Planning for the 2011 season might want to consider the possibility that the lake level will be a few feet lower than during 2010's season.


A Dock and the marina pavilion at the Heron Lake Marina, owned and operated by the New Mexico Sailing Club.

Dusk at Heron Lake

View beyond a club dinghy and boats in the marina toward the Narrows at dusk. Last week and weekend we were in Laguna Vista, near Heron Lake in the mountains of northern New Mexico. Gerald and I took a scenic drive in the mountains of the Colorado-New Mexico border, as pictured in a previous post, and the family also took a scenic drive to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I also went kayaking at Heron Lake a few times. These views are from Friday evening, August 15, 2009, in Willow Creek Cove.

Cliff at dusk. At the height of summer these cliffs are home to thousands of swallows. However, their period of residence is short, in contrast to the Canada geese, who linger nearby almost year round.

Sailboats moored in Willow Creek Cove at the Heron Lake Marina in northern Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.

Sailboats on Heron Lake, Memorial Day weekend in northern New Mexico

MacGregor 25 and crew head out to enjoy an afternoon on Heron Lake. The lake is 78% full and still rising.





MacGregor 25 approaching as it exits the Narrows into the main body of Heron Lake. Winds ranged from about 4 to 15 knots during the afternoon.



Laguna 25 no. 331 and Catalina 22 "SuSea" head out from the Heron Lake marina on Memorial Day 2009.

Boats in Heron Lake marina with Freedom 25 motoring past in the background


Boat seen from a distance



Motorboat making a bit of a wake -- a "no no" at Heron Lake where boats using motors are restricted to trolling speed.

Heron Lake Marina, May 24, 2009

Northwest portion of Heron Lake marina with C dock boats. Early in the season, the marina is about a third full with some 32 boats in slips and another on a mooring.

Southwest end of Heron Lake marina, showing some early-season boats. Construction on the roads leading to the boat ramps has caused some difficulty with launching. The roads should start to be re-paved during the coming week.



After a quick paddle from the second Laguna Vista landing and a turn around the last bend, I saw the Heron Lake marina come into view.

Heron Lake Marina with Rhinos at Rest, Monday, April 27, 2009

Heron Lake Marina A and B docks, with the Narrows beyond to the west.


B and C docks late Monday, April 27, 2009, at the Heron Lake Marina. Water levels were rising by three to four inches per day.

Rhinos on the Rampage I, March 27, 2009 at Heron Lake

Rhinos at sea

Members of a traveling herd amble across the mouth of Willow Creek

Rhinos concealed in tall brush.

Rhinos on the Rampage II, March 27, 2009

Snowy mountains behind Rhinos in northeast corner of Willow Creek Cove.


Rhinos ashore near northeast portion of cove, just east of mooring line 3.

South Cove Rhinos


Rhinos aground in northeast part of Willow Creek Cove.

Rhinos on the Rampage III, March 27, 2009

Juniper tree damaged while the marina was closed. Sitting at the end of the marina point, the alligator juniper is exposed to the full force of storms coming up the Narrows and is also a likely target for lightning strikes.

Gangway gap and misalignment. Originally, during the fall closure, the marina was separated from the gangway attached to shore so as to discourage trespassers; however, wind and waves moved the marina close enough so that the gap was only a hazard, but not a major impediment to trespassers.

Rhinos deposited at marina

Note that most of the Rhinos in this view have escaped to the wrong side of the rope that was supposed to confine them.

Rhino on the rocks south of the gangway

Rhinos being herded back toward the marina

Rhinos on the Rampage IV, March 27, 2009

Rhino on a root



B dock Rhinos


Rhinos on shore at the mouth of Willow Creek


B dock at the Heron Lake Marina and a pair of wandering Rhinos

Heron Lake, view to the northeast from the dam

New Mexico Sailing Club marina views at Heron Lake, November 2008

View of gangway, dockhouse, part of pavilion, A dock, Willow Creek Cove, and The Narrows on a gorgeous autumn afternoon, November 1, 2008

View of gangway and marina

West side of dockhouse

View to the south from slip C2, toward Willow Creek boat ramp

View from northwest corner of marina to the southeast