The Far Side

Starting off from the Monte Vista parking area

No, not the Gary Larson cartoon, but where Dr. K, Becca and I started our trek this morning.  There were no cars in the lot when we headed out.  The weather was slightly cool, but humid, and Dr. K soon removed her windbreaker.  Heading up the road pictured in image #12 we had a near collision with three mountain bikers who were tearing down the trail.  The lead biker apologized for the near miss, which scared the hell out of Becca.  She disappeared into the underbrush until they had passed; and even afterwards she was still a little spooked.  Other than that we had a wonderful hike.

The Organ Mountains ten miles east of Las Cruces

Sun and shadow on the southern Organs

Becca wants the mountain biker off the trail ahead

Heading south in the direction of El Paso

Southeastern flank of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

From here the trail . . .

goes around here

A heck of a green desert

Clouds lapping over the Organs

What to do in an arroyo

Heading east toward the Organs

The southeastern flank of the Tortoise from the far east

Becca on the road back to the Tortoise

Thick clouds building over El Paso's Franklin Mountains