Splendid Sunday Trek

At the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain

Dr. K, Becca and I took advantage of the beautiful weather to do a long hike around Tortugas Mountain, starting from the Monte Vista area.  We encountered other outdoor enthusiasts:  two mountain bikers, and a man and woman, each walking a lapdog on a lead.  I'm always pleased to see people out enjoying the desert with their animals, but it's slightly amusing to see lapdogs--a toy poodle, say, or a Pekingese--trekking along in the rugged terrain.  The man, woman and two dogs all seemed to be enjoying themselves, though, so more power to them.

Wrapping around the south side of the mountain

Two Torrey Yuccas on the southern slope

Becca leading the way

Ruins of a circular stone house behind the mountain

Looking back along the trail we followed

Impatient to keep moving

Ballooning over the Mesilla Valley

Mounds of Hedgehog Cactus

Rocky desert and rocky mountains

Torrey Yuccas and the Organ Mountains

Leading the pack (Dr. K and me) on the way back

Interesting horsetail clouds over the Organs

Road to the mountains

East of the Organs