Tortugas Mountain Walkabout

Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain from the far southwest

Becca and I did a fairly long hike around Tortugas this morning, and we enjoyed the trek very much.  My only gripe had to do with the humidity, which was extremely high:  89% when we started out.  Nevertheless, despite the perspiration, it was great to be out in the natural world.  Although there were a few cars in the Sunset Parking lot (including our friend Jimmy's truck, I think) we saw nobody in the outback.  No gunshots from dove hunters, either; perhaps they've killed all the birds out there already.

Organ Mountains from the far west

Not far behind me is a residential subdivision

Looking over her shoulder

The two-dome observatory from the foothills

Road to the top (on the left knoll)

Heading behind the mountain

Any other critters out here?

The Franklin Mountains near El Paso

The Organ Mountains from behind Tortugas

Resting in the shade of a huge Little-leaf Sumac