Mountain Hike Before Desert Inferno

Looking toward La Luz

We're having a heat wave here in southern New Mexico, and it was even hot this morning on the Grand View Trail.  We did a short hike before returning to the ranch in preparation for our trip to the lower Chihuahuan Desert, where it's slated to be 104 F today.  The temps get even higher this coming week.  We haven't had a spell of century-mark days like this for years.  Can't say I'm looking forward to the heat.

Hot morning even in the high country

On the Grand View

Pass through the mountains

Steep Hill Road

Sotol blooming in High Rolls

Patches of shade on a sunny trail

This bird (Bullock's Oriole, I think) would not cooperate for a picture

Back at the ranch, Champ (front) and Cowboy

Cowboy is so darned cute

One brown eye, one blue