Singing in the Rain

The weather looked fine when we started off this morning

Although our local meteorologist predicted a 40% chance of rain today, things looked good for a morning hike.  It was partly cloudy when Becca and I began our trek west of Tortugas Mountain.  Not long after we started off things began to deteriorate quickly, heavy clouds rolling in over the Organ Mountains.  Based on the direction the wind was blowing (north to south) I figured we could finish our long hike without getting wet.  I was wrong.  At the midpoint of our journey, while we were in the middle of the outback, it began to rain.  I put my new camera away, secured the case in a waterproof membrane and stowed it inside the daypack.  Then Becca and I began a forced march back to the trailhead.  Although it never poured down, the rain descended in a steady, cold drizzle that had us thoroughly wet by the time we reached the car.

Becca sees someone on the mountain road

Potrillo Mountains

Clouds hovering over the Franklin Mountains

The coming storm

Conditions definitely deteriorating

Keep going or turn back?

Assessing our situation

Extra practice photographing grey sky

The wind seemed to be blowing the weather away from us

A bit more blue over the Organ Mountains

Heavy clouds over Tortugas and the Organs

Franklin Mountains, El Paso, Texas

Clouds aren't moving out

We're so far out now we just kept hiking

Bishop Cap

Blue sky is a hopeful sign

Maybe we can make it without getting wet

Tortugas Mountain

Uh oh

We're headed for the arroyo at center

Becca leading the way into a long arroyo

Patch of blue to the west

That stuff to the south looks ominous

Soaptree Yucca seed pods

Seed pod closeup (lower right lobe looks like a porpoise)

Who's that at the top of the Torrey Yucca?

It's a small Loggerhead Shrike

Extra-wide arroyo