Discovering the Ruins of Pecos: A Journey Through Time
Walking through 400-year-old Spanish mission ruins just outside Santa Fe, I captured this quiet, snow-dusted moment at Pecos National Historical Park—before a blizzard rolled in.
My wife watching a snowstorm on a distant mountain
Just 35 miles east of Santa Fe, Pecos National Historical Park offers more than just ruins—it offers a connection to centuries of culture, conflict, and resilience. The site is home to the remnants of a Spanish mission church built in the early 1600s, standing beside ancestral Pueblo ruins that date back over 700 years.
Inside the mission ruins made of adobe as the snowstorm begins
Walking through the crumbling walls of the mission, I felt the weight of time in every step—the texture of the adobe, the coolness of the stone, the silence broken only by the wind weaving through the open arches, creating a soft, hollow whistle that echoed across the site. It was haunting and peaceful all at once—like the ruins were still breathing.
As a photographer, I found endless inspiration in the contrast between man made structure and natural erosion, between sunlight and shadow. I arrived just after a light snowfall, which added a rare softness to the rugged landscape. The light filtered through the clouds, illuminating the earthy reds and yellows with a painterly touch. But with a snowstorm quickly approaching, I had to pack up and leave before the winds and whiteout conditions fully settled in—making the experience feel fleeting and even more powerful.
Me observing the ruins before the snowstorm
This visit reminded me why I pursue photography—to freeze these moments of stillness, history, and beauty. Pecos is a place that quietly commands your attention, and I hope my images from this journey bring that experience to you, wherever you are.