The Heat is On

Just leaving the Sunset Area parking lot

Becca and I hit the trail out of the Sunset Area well before 7:00 a.m. because the temperature is supposed to rise precipitously, with triple digits looming ahead over the next few days.  There were quite a number of other outdoor enthusiasts with the same idea gauging by the number of cars in the parking lot.  After our hike, as we were driving out at about 8:30, we ran into our pal Gregg who was just starting out.  He was doing his normal trek to the top of the mountain.

Getting to the high foothills

Cresting

Trail marker leaning against an Ocotillo

Hedgehog Cacti and Ocotillo

Rugged high foothills

Rain Lily seed pods

Rough Menodora

I'm looking through you

Respite

The desert between here and the Organ Mountains

Hieroglyphs

Hedgehog Cactus

Desert Willow