Sunday's Outdoor Enthusiasts

Just getting started out of the Monte Vista area

There were no cars in the parking lot at the Monte Vista area when Dr. K, Becca and I got there this morning at around 7:15.  Behind the mountain, though, we spotted a truck with a tent beside it on the south mesa beyond the major arroyo that runs out of the Organ Mountains.  Since there was smoke coming from a campfire we figured the campers were cooking breakfast.  In short order (pun intended) we encountered a runner and four mountain bikers out enjoying the natural world.  Later we saw other bikers and had a middle-distance greeting from a man and woman walking a large dog on a lead.  When we reached the far point of our trek we decided to do a little bushwhacking west of Tortugas to see what interesting sights we could discover off-trail.  As usual, we were not disappointed in what the Chihuahuan Desert had on offer.  The only drawback on our long hike:  because of last night's major downpour the humidity was sky high even though the temperature was in the mid-60s.

Rugged southeastern side of Tortugas Mountain

Scouting the way forward

Following the trail around the mountain

Small pool of water looks like plastic or ice

Becca and Dr. K in front of a cave (no, they're not spelunkers)

These flowers look too small for a hungry honeybee

Velvety Nerisyrenia

Hiker (lower right) in the vast Chihuahuan Desert

The way west

Shade break in the shadow of a small yucca

Double Barrel Cactus

Double Barrel

Budding out

Look who got to the arroyo ahead of us:  a Muledeer

Healthy Hedgehog Cactus

Bushwhacking west of Tortugas

Couldn't decide which I preferred, this or . . .

. . . this

Popcorn clouds

Tall Ocotillos south of the mountain

Chihuahuan Flax

Smoke signals (clouds really)