Extra Long Hike

The western flank of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

Becca and I started off at the parking area near the road to the top of Tortugas Mountain, took the Crosscut Trail to the far outer loop road, then followed a dirt road for miles away from the mountain.  Along the way we discovered an intricate rock cross and a silly stick figure on a rise.  For those who think the desert is a flat plane punctuated now and again by mountain ranges, take a look at some of the rolling terrain.  Makes for a great workout.

The rolling Chihuahuan Desert

Looking back the way we came

Small Mesquite Tree and the Organ Mountains

Somebody took the trouble to fashion an intricate rock cross

Even further west of Tortugas Mountain

A funny stick figure somebody made

Beautiful sky

Homes at the edge of the desert in the Las Alturas neighborhood

Camera shy?  I don't think so