Moving Fast

The weather this morning was chilly, to say the least; 32 degrees when we started out. At least it was sunny.

Yuccas in love.

The trail into the foothills.

This last photo is from my return trip from High Rolls yesterday--a view of the east face of the Organ Mountains.

High Desert Trip

I had to make a scheduled trip to High Rolls in the Sacramento Mountains this morning. This is what it looked like after last night's snowfall.

It was beautiful, but the driving was slightly treacherous.

Under Cloudy Skies

The weather can only be described as "raw" when we started out this morning--cloudy, cold and windy. A tall Yucca under gray sky.

The new trail drops into a deep arroyo here.

Becca could give a crap about the weather conditions.

Gloom in the desert.

Rain falls between here and the Franklin Mountains.

Very Cold Start

34 degrees when Becca and I headed out this morning. We welcomed the feeble warmth of the early sunshine.

The sun begins to warm the rugged desert landscape.

A solitary Yucca against Tortugas's west face.

A jogger and her dog begin the ascent up a steep slope.

Desert Dog spots the jogger and her canine.

Cold Start

A cold front blew in last night, and it was in the low 40s when Becca and I started out this morning. This is a view of Tortugas under cloudy skies.

Tortugas and the Organ Mountains.

A distant view of Bishop's Cap.

The vast Chihuahuan Desert.

The Franklin Mountains near El Paso lie forty miles across the desert.

On the Trail

Sunlight filters into the creosote bushes this morning on the west side of Tortugas.

This Ocotillo has already shed all its leaves.

A happy Desert Dog running free in the wilderness.

A hot-air balloon lifts off from the Mesilla Valley.

A sparrow surveys its domain.

Beautiful Day

We got a bit of a late start this morning, and it turned out to be a good thing. We didn't have to hike in the cold shadow of the mountain for too long. These two hikers were making their way up the steep western face of Tortugas.

One hiker made a little progress while the other waited for him.

This large Ocotillo is showing signs of the coming cool weather.

Resupply-Day Hike

It was downright chilly when Becca and I set off this morning--forty-seven degrees. The desert looked crisp in the chilled air.

Yucca and cactus garden.

I am a lineman for the county . . . Dona Ana County, that is. This is the lineman school from Dona Ana Community College.

The sinuous west side of Tortugas.

South of Tortugas

Clouds brushed the tip of the Organ Mountains this morning.

A mostly sunny and bright day greeted Becca and I as we started off.

Yuccas crowded around us to see what all the excitement was about.

A distant view of the clouds hovering over the Organs.

Long Ramble II

How we love those rugged Organ Mountains.

Let's get artsy.

Part of the western face of Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain.

Sun Dog springs into action.

Long Ramble

We started off in the shadow of Tortugas this morning.

We tried to hide from the sun.

Yucca, and the Portillo Mountains on the horizon.

Sun Dog enjoying the outing.

An interesting cloud snakes above the Organ Mountains.

Morning Outing

Pretty soon these Ocotillos will sport nothing but thorns.

Enjoy them while you can.

Spanish Dagger.

Daggers and Ocotillos.

Dr. K and Becca.