Sunny Sunday

Getting a really early start out of Monte Vista

Dr. K, Becca and I got a very early start on a long hike around Tortugas Mountain.  Right off the bat we saw another hiker ahead of us, and a mountain biker (Jorge) who we've known for years.  The hiker ahead took a different trail than the one we were trekking on, and we didn't see anybody else until we were nearly finished with our morning outing (two mountain bikers).  It was an extremely pleasant morning--a little chilly at times because of the wind, but eventually sunny.  By the time we returned to the car after several hours of exercise we were all (except Becca) pretty tired.

Before the sun has fully risen above the Organs

The Organ Mountains in cloud shadow

The trail that wraps around Tortugas

On the south side of the mountain now

The way we just came

The way we're going (heading west)

Further away from the Organ Mountains

From here the road curves around to the west side (left)

Even further away from the Organs

On the outer loop raod

A snake slept here

Turning back