Today's Desert Pics

Hiking along the western flank

Becca and I did a really long hike west of Tortugas this morning, me on a particularly gimpy left knee.  Not sure why it was hurting when I woke up yesterday, but I managed to twist it a bit on yesterday's long trek.  So, not surprisingly, it was still bothering me today.  The Ibuprofen I've been taking has helped somewhat, but I'm sure some time off from hiking would help even more.  I'm not going to do that, though, unless I absolutely have to.  For one thing, Becca won't allow it.

Tall Torrey Yucca

On the precipice of a deep gorge

Heading into the lower desert

From the far outer loop road

Getting a better view of the Organs

Dirt road between Geothermal and Tellbrook

Some Ocotillos are still quite green

Organ Mountains

Interesting blanket of clouds

We had to go over to examine this Ocotillo

At first I thought the leaves were brown

Closer inspection revealed they were red

I have never seen an Ocotillo's leaves go all red like this

A family out enjoying a morning hike

Long Haul

Trail out of the Sunset Area

We were supposed to dip to 28F last night, but it was 33F when we left for Tortugas Mountain this morning.  With the wind, though, it felt quite cold.  The steady sun ameliorated conditions, however, and my long-sleeve shirt, hooded vest and gloves were perfect for the occasion.  Becca wore her white-and-black coat.  We did an extra-long hike around the mountain, and I managed to take 47 photos--some better than others.  Here's a selection of a few I found to be interesting.

Symbiotic buddies

In need of mousse

Hewing to the high foothills trail

Tiers of a clown

Bishop Cap

Smudge of a cloud

Yellow-green bramble of Ocotillo wands

Ocotillos and the Organ Mountains

West of Tortugas Mountain

Take a bow

Torrey Yuccas

Back behind the Tortoise

The rugged Organs

Trekking alongside a cliff

Beautiful day

Nearly ground-eye view of Torrey Yuccas

Vet Hiking with Dog

Getting started west of the mountain

What I meant by the title is a military veteran (me) out hiking with his dog (Becca).  I honestly don't think very often about the time I spent in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Lawrence, DDG-4 (a guided-missile destroyer).  I started out as a Radarman and ended up as an Operations Specialist.  If I hadn't googled it just now I wouldn't have known that the latter rating still exists in the modern navy.  Now my military service amnesia can kick into effect again until Veterans Day next year.  By the way, Becca and I had a nice, long hike this morning.

Mostly-green leaves still clinging to Ocotillos

Through cold air in a deep arroyo

Touch of color

Growing alongside a gorge

Mountain bikers (though you can see only one)

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organs

Heading up a steep hill

The rugged Organ Mountains

Queen of the hill

Bend in the road

Desert Marigolds still hanging on

Resupply Day Trek

Even though I had to run errands this morning--shopping for groceries and other supplies--Becca and I did a long hike west of the mountain.  We were able to do that because of a really early start.  Weather conditions were near perfect:  38 F with little wind and a sunny sky.  Things are supposed to turn ugly later today, though, as we're under a high-wind warning for this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow.  That means a high probability of blowing dust and sand, which is always unpleasant in the desert Southwest.

Slight Detour

Becca and I did an extra-long hike this morning.  We left our car in the Sunset Area parking lot and headed up the trail leading to higher elevations.  Instead of going to the top, though, we skirted the flank of the mountain before dropping down again into the lower desert.  The semi-lofty heights are represented by the first three images here.  We did a little bushwhacking to avoid encounters with other hikers, but on the way back in we bumped into a man hiking alone and a man and woman who annoyingly were stalled on a narrow portion of trail and didn't move in the least to give us room to maneuver around them.  They were friendly, and I said "Good morning" to them, but I felt a bit aggravated by their thoughtlessness 

Sunday Chill

Heading around the mountain

Becca led Dr. K and I on a long trek around Tortugas Mountain this morning; although we saw a few other outdoor enthusiasts the area wasn't even close to being crowded like yesterday.  We're headed for a high of only 59 Fahrenheit today, with a low in the mid- to high-30s.  Surprisingly--though it was supposed to be windy--the steady sunshine kept us toasty.  In fact, unlike yesterday, I was dressed warmly--too warmly, it turned out.

One way to the top

In Tortugas Mountain's high foothills

The far point of today's hike

Desert Marigolds, Ocotillo, Prickly Pear