Surprisingly Cold Hike

Willow's look back

We were at or below freezing (32F) last night, and, boy, did it feel like that this morning.  Add a strong persistent wind and we had the ingredients for a cold hike.

We followed our regular route, taking shorter breaks along the way.  For some reason Willow always stops in shadows, so we had to encourage her to move out in a more timely fashion.

We saw the Basset Woman +1 (her daughter?) when we were driving up Tellbrook Road, but we didn't spot them out in the desert.  Just as well--even the scent of those hounds drives Willow to distraction.

Yucca/mesquite

This & next:  two views of the dancing yucca

Tortugas and the Organs

Last 2:  Little-leaf Sumac

 

Remnants

Early morning moon

It felt cold out there when Dr. K, Willow and I set off on our morning hike primarily due to a persistent strong breeze.  When we found occasional shelter from the light "wind," we were warm enough standing in the bright sunlight.

We did our regular route seeing no other nature lover out in our section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  When we finished our trek we returned home and I got ready to make the trip to Alberstons for my weekly shopping experience.

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organs

Willow having a seat

Hill west of the Organs

Willow focusing on something

Remnants of snow in the Organs

Tortugas Mountain Observatory

This & next:  crazy ride up the mountain

Prickly and Hedgy

Last 2:  Tortugas and the Organs

 

Snow on High

All pics w/snow:  Snowy Organs

After yesterday's nearly all day and night rain event Willow and I got out early for a morning hike; Dr. K had an appointment.

The desert soil was noticeably wet, but not muddy.  We were able to do our regular route without gathering too much dirt.  While we were ascending the right branch arroyo we saw the black side-by-side driving north on LDR and stopping to pull over.  The driver allows his two dogs to run free and enjoy themselves.  They were the only nature lovers we spotted today.

I didn't really get any decent photos of snow on the mountains due to poor lighting because we were out there so early.

Late fall desert flora

This & next:  Wils in LDR-A arroyo

Ocotillo and moon

Ocotillo/moon art failure

Rain Abbreviated Outing

A rainy start this morning

It was raining this morning when we got up.  By 8 it seemed as if we might be able to get in a short hike due to a break in the weather.

We started off by heading along the ridge east of LDR-A before bushwhacking eastward to the right branch arroyo.  We descended the arroyo to the junction with the middle branch and then bushwhacked back over to the right.

By then it had started sprinkling again, and we decided to was a good time to end our outing.  Took a long drive afterward listening to Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf on their Sunday Morning show.

Willow seeing something

Cloud draped over the Organs

Crow or raven?

Last 2:  triple barrel cactus

 

Altered Track

1st 2:  ridge west of the Organ Mountains

Dr. K, Willow and I altered our hike a bit due to the presence of the Basset Lady +1 and the hounds.  At first it looked as if they'd head east across the upper flatland road to where we had just parked at the trailhead; but they went down LDR instead.

Nevertheless we bushwhacked east from LDR-A in order not to get too close to them; no encounter occurred.  When we hit the right branch arroyo we hiked down to the junction with the left branch and then followed our regular route to conclusion.

Ancient mesquite

This & next:  Little-leaf Sumac

Willow doesn't want the hike to end

Our favorite yucca

Tortugas and the Organs

 

Friday's Bushwhack

1st 2:  Willow on the east/west crossover trail

Dr. K, Willow and I did a long bushwhack this morning; the weather was perfect for it.

We hiked down LDR-A arroyo, started east on the east/west crossover trail, but then headed north over the Tellbrook Arroyo into the series of small arroyos we've explored often in the past.

We continued northerly until reaching
First Arroyo, where we stopped for a brief respite before turning around, partially retracing our steps, but finishing up by ascending the right branch arroyo to the exit point up the steep hill to the west.

East to the Organs

Willow on break again

Tortugas and the Organs from the Tellbrook Arroyo

Bushwhacking toward the mountains

This & next 2:  Black-throated Sparrow

This & next 2:  giant Hedgehog Cactus (probably Strawberry)

In the hills

This & next 2:  barrel cactus

Camera photo looking east in First Arroyo

Local color

Tortugas and the Organs

Soaptree Yuccas south of First Arroyo

Way east in First Arroyo

Willow on break in First Arroyo

Looking southwest in First Arroyo

Phone photo looking east in First Arroyo