Happy New Year!

Third day, similar photo:  defrosting Potrillo Mountains

It was absolutely deserted around Tortugas Mountain this morning when Becca and I did a long hike under overcast skies.  We have a chance for rain and snow flurries later today, and the conditions certainly seemed ripe for precipitation.  Perhaps nobody was around due to New Year's Eve celebrations.  I drank only two Arrogant Bastard Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ales (8.1 ABV) last night, so I wasn't hungover this morning.  When we got back to the trailhead after our long trek there were two pickup trucks in the parking lot, so at least a few other people were out enjoying nature.

Almost all snow is gone in the lower elevations

Mountains near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Snow clings to the Franklin Mountains, El Paso

Tortugas's flank and the Organ Mountains

Threatening sky over the Organs

Taking the long road north

Distant view of the Organs

The Shaquille O'Neal of Soaptree Yuccas