A New Arroyo

Creosote Bushes along Tortugas's west side

Becca and I explored a new section of an arroyo out of Tortugas Mountain's west side; at least it was new to us in that we'd never hiked it before.  We followed it all the way to its head near the high foothills of the mountain.  Desert arroyos are so much fun to explore because most hikers never bother to enter them; but all the interesting animal tracks are waiting to be discovered in the sandy arroyo bottoms, and the best of the desert flora thrive in the arroyos--the most reliable source of water in the arid landscape.

Higher in the foothills

A quarter-way across the Crosscut Trail

The flat desert floor is not so flat

Healthy Hedgehog Cactus

Clouds rolling toward the Organ Mountains

An unexplored section of an arroyo west of Tortugas Mountain

Clouds snagged by a mountain peak

View out of the arroyo

A 2 1/2' to 3' Barrel Cactus

Soaptree Yuccas at the arroyo's edge

Stepping out of the arroyo for a moment

Notice how narrow the arroyo is here