Reprieve

Garage-sized boulders on Tortugas Mountain's northeast flank

What started off as an uncomfortable hike this morning because of sun, heat and humidity quickly turned bearable for Dr. K, Becca and me due to a substantial bank of clouds that rolled in from the east.  The overcast obscured the blazing sun cooling the ambient temperature by at least ten degrees; combined with a slight breeze the conditions were nearly pleasant for a long trek.  Nevertheless, Dr. K commented several times that she wished we were still in High Rolls.  I echoed that sentiment, my voice boomeranging around the mountain cliffs for several minutes.  (Well, not really.:)

Becca spots people behind us high on the mountain

Young man and young woman (just below center) explore an old mine

White-winged Doves on Ocotillo wands

Where Tortugas and the Organs cross paths (visually speaking)

The expanse of desert behind the mountain

Looking at the Tortoise from the far southwest

Another White-winged Dove

It bugged me when I couldn't ID this insect

When I flipped it over it looked like a beetle

Heading back to the trailhead

The Monte Vista parking lot, Doña Ana Mountains behind

Clouds over Tortugas

Organ Mountains under overcast sky