Aguirre Springs National Recreation Area

The formation called "Rabbit Ears"

Dr. K and I decided to take a drive over San Augustine Pass to the Aguirre Springs National Recreation Area on the east side of the Organ Mountains.  We were there in 45 minutes.  The weather was beautiful--we're headed for 70 F today--and we encountered no other hikers on the Baylor Pass National Recreation Trail.  There were four backpackers heading up the trail behind us, but our only interaction with them was a distant mutual wave.  They were probably heading for the primitive camping area on the saddle between Aguirre and Baylor Canyon.

Packrat and Becca on the Baylor Pass Trail

A look across the Tularosa Basin

Sotol (aka "Desert Spoon")

An Alligator Juniper nearly devoid of bark

Heart-shaped hollow in an Alligator Junper

Dead tree against the Organ Mountains

Why do dead trees make for good photographic subjects?

The "Rabbit Ears" up close

Ice in the mountains

Rocky Mountain High (the Organs are part of the chain)

How's this for a view of the desert below?

Two backpackers (lower right) on the trail behind us

Fighting the grade

Two different backpackers following the others

Our favorite dog

Heading back through the high country

Becca on break with Dr. K