Atop Tortugas

Starting up the mountain

It had been quite a while since we hiked to the top of Tortugas Mountain, so we set off on a west-side ascent this morning.  Although the mountain is 4,931 feet in elevation, the prominence from where we started is only about 600 feet.  Nevertheless, the way we go is a butt-kicking 600 feet, and I have to stop several times enroute.  Becca, of course, only stops because I do.  Tortugas Mountain is sacred to the Native Americans of nearby Tortugas Pueblo.  It is also the site of several observatories from New Mexico State University.  The initial image here is our GPS track overlayed on Google Earth.

One-eighth of the way up



Agave lechuguilla (aka shin dagger)



Large round mounds of Strawberry Pitaya Cactus



One-fourth of the way up



Three-fourths of the way up

Up.  The old observatory atop Tortugas Mountain

Looking east toward the Organ Mountains from atop Tortugas

Tortugas Pueblo shrine at the mountain crest



Ceremonial votif candles



Looking down to the west from the summit



Sun rising above the old observatory



The steep northern flank of Tortugas



Vast stretch of desert, Organ Mountains on the horizon




Heading down




The new Centennial High School from altitude