The Promise of Rain

Trekking the west side of Tortugas

It was cool and cloudy this morning when Becca and I set off for Tortugas Mountain.  The atmosphere had the feel of rain, and all during our hike it seemed as if we might have a chance to get wet.  Never happened, though.  It has rained a little bit since we've been home, and the conditions seem pretty ripe for future precipitation.  In fact, local meteorologists give us a 50% to 60% chance of thunderstorms late this afternoon into early evening.  Let's hope they're right because we almost always need rain here in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Trail to the high saddle

Crossing the upper foothills

Storm clouds building

On the distant horizon:  Bishop Cap

Hiking under cloud shadows

Prickly Pears beginning to ripen

Green, green Ocotillos

Into the sandy section of the desert

Ocotillos in sandy soil

Big clouds over the Organs

Blue sky to the northeast

Soaptree Yucca seed pods

Spent seed pods

Heading back to Tortugas

High humidity accompanies those clouds

Precipitation headed our way?

Another Cholla blooming again

A promise of rain

Las Cruces, New Mexico