Snowy Desert

Ice and a dusting of snow

Yes, it does snow occasionally in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  The Chihuahuan is the largest desert in North America (200,000 square miles) and one of the highest, ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 5,000 feet with high mountains that reach a height of 12,000 feet.  According to the Encyclopedia of Earth, "The Chihuahuan Desert encompasses one of the most biologically diverse arid regions on Earth."  The desert stretches from southeastern Arizona, across southern New Mexico and West Texas deep into the central highlands of Mexico.

One-half inch at 4400 feet.

Road alongside Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain

Iced thorns of a Prickly Pear Cactus

Torrey Yucca covered in powdered sugar

Wending her way along an icy trail

Frosted desert

There's a Hedgehog Cactus under there

Prickly Pear Cactus (so-called because of the pear-like fruit it bears)

West of the Tortoise

Crosscut Trail

Organ Mountains behind the western flank of Tortugas

Headed back toward the mountain

Frozen pad of a Prickly Pearsicle