Friday's Long Hike

Long shadows on Tortugas's west side

Becca and I were able to do a really long hike into the outback beyond Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain.  Apparently, somebody had driven all the way out there to drink and play a round of golf.  I've found golf balls closer in to the mountain (college students sometimes climb the summit of Tortugas and drive balls off into the surrounding desert), but I've never found one that far out.  The morning was pleasant due to a persistent cloud cover, so not much perspiring was going on.  Although the Sunset Parking lot had a lot of vehicles in it we only ran into two mountain bikers during our trek.

Cloud smudges

Up on the high flatland

A healthy Ocotillo that has toppled over

Notice the shallow root system of the Ocotillo

An overcast sky kept things cool

Barrel Cactus buddies

A mountain biker on a fast ride down a hill on the loop road

Three-spot pose

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Tall Ocotillos on the far western side of the mountain

Odd objects to find in the distant outback

Flower of the Unicorn Plant (Proboscidea)

Velvety Nerisyrenia (mustard family)