Desert Rain Delay

Starting out from the east side of Tortugas Mountain

We delayed our morning trek by about an hour this morning because of heavy rain.  It was still coming down lightly when Dr. K, Becca and I set off for Tortugas Mountain.  We drove around to the far (eastern) side and left out of the Monte Vista area.  There was only one car parked in the lot there.  The rainfall was a sprinkle when we started around the mountain, but it soon grew heavier.  Although it was never a downpour the precipitation rained down steadily during our entire hike.  Becca and I were thoroughly soaked by the time we got back to the car, but Dr. K--the smart one in the bunch--was dry because she wore her Frogg Toggs poncho.

A thoroughly-soaked desert

Organ Mountains

Clouds rolling in

The epitome of ruggedness

Wet boulders

Heading west behind the mountain

The way we've come

There were large puddles all over the desert floor

Heading down into a steep draw

Clouds blanketing the Organs

Torrey Yucca family

Looking up a canyon on the eastern slope

Heavier rain

Unfortunately we're headed that way

And we did get much wetter