We have a winner!

Yes, MotorcarM19 got it right, and Phillip followed up with the the back-up. The item in the grass is indeed a U.S. Weather Bureau (now National Weather Service) Standard 8" Rain and Snow Gauge. Those gauges are 8" in diameter and about 30" tall. Back in the day, they were made completely of copper and brass. The white object is the support, which was also the wooden box in which the thing was shipped to the observation site. These days, the gauges are made of aluminum and plastic, which are relatively cheap, although the design is much the same. The older (and better) ones would be stolen in a heartbeat if exposed in a place like a railroad depot. Also, the more modern installations use a metal support, which stands a fair bit higher than what you see in the photo.

When I looked at the photo, I instantly recognized the instrument. I had to chuckle at how a small instrument like that, exposed that low to the ground would be useless on Cumbres Pass in the winter. As I walk the grounds up there every time I visit, I keep looking for weather instruments that would indicate that someone still keeps records up there. I know there is a snow gauge up on the hill beyond the water column, but it looks so neglected that it no longer appears to be used.

Anyone know if they still do observations on Cumbres?

Good guesses guys!!!

/Kevin