Bushwhacking for More PhotoOps

This looks like man-made breccia, but it was in the middle of nowhere

The wind picked up earlier this morning, keeping the temperature cool throughout our entire hike.  Not long after we crested the flats in the high foothills Becca spotted some Mule Deer on the west side of Tortugas Mountain.  They wasted little time in taking off, scaling the steep, rocky ridge that leads to the mountaintop.  They paused several times to check us out, making sure we weren't following behind.  They needn't have worried; even if we had wanted to follow we wouldn't have made quick progress bushwhacking through that rugged section of high desert.

Trekking the high foothills

Mule Deer on the mountain

Time to take our butts higher up

Looking back

Striking up a ridge

One last look back . . .

. . . before heading off

Becca spots a few stragglers

Last two . . .

. . . of three

Desert Cottontail

Turning to go

Claret Cup Cactus

Blooming desert

Drunk on Claret Cup

Velvety nerisyrenia (Mustard family)

Heading back

Challenging the mountain