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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Over the Hump Hike

In the lower desert west of Tortugas Mountain
It was quite chilly when Becca and I headed out on the foothills trail, dropped into the lower desert and hiked directly west of Tortugas Mountain.  One jogger passed us when we first started out, but "jogger" doesn't really describe his pace; more like "runner."  He was moving so fast I envied his stamina.  About midway on the hike we encountered an elderly gentleman who we see out there fairly often; he's a friendly sort who hikes in old, blue coveralls--perhaps an outfit from his working days.
Clouds clinging to the Organ Mountains

Cloud closeup

Clouds lying in a mountain hollow

Further west of the mountain

Typical Chihuahuan Desert flora, Soaptree Yucca in foreground

Even further west of Tortugas

Flank of Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Beans of the Acacia bush

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3 comments:

Scott said...

Nice contrast: a fleet-footed runner and a steady older hiker.

Did the Native American's have a use for the acacia bush beans, or are they inedible? They certainly are attractive, regardless.

October 17, 2013 at 7:26 AM
packrat said...

Good question about Acacia beans, Scott. Here's a link to an interesting DesertUSA article that answers it. The very last paragraph is quite interesting.

http://www.desertusa.com/mag09/apr09/whitethorn-acacia.html

October 17, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Dr. K said...

I like the green and red contrast in the photo of the acacia beans.

October 17, 2013 at 2:15 PM

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