Rain Threat

Getting started from the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain

The weather conditions before we left the house this morning gave us pause for thought; not only that, but the meteorologists were predicting a 60% chance of rain.  Dr. K, Becca and I really lucked out because we did an extra-long trek without even getting sprinkled on.  Just as soon as we returned to our car on the east side of Tortugas Mountain, though, the sky began to spit a little precipitation.  Although it was rather gloomy during our hike, we got a chance to see a Golden Eagle hunting in the higher elevations on the south side of the mountain.

Bishop Cap (left) and the Franklin Mountains near El Paso (right)

In the foothills behind the Tortoise

Looking back at the way we came

Heavy cloud cover over the Organs

Dressed for inclement weather

Spectacular cloud over Bishop Cap

Southern Organ Mountains

Golden Eagle

Rock ruins

Trail around Tortugas heading west

Yuccas, Hedgehog Cacti and Ocotillos

On the west side of Tortugas now

Becca spots two mountain bikers

Yellow Buggy Whip (aka "Ocotillo")

Intersection of Tortugas and the Organs

Way west of the mountains

Across a vast expanse of desert to the southern Organs

Clouds lifting a bit

Becca and Torrey Yuccas

Heading back

Interesting sky