A Tad Short

NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum (foreground) and part of Las Cruces

I had to cut this morning's hike a little short because today is provision day at the ranch.  Nevertheless, Becca and I got in a moderately-long trek west of Tortugas Mountain.  Although it was chilly--colder than yesterday--we saw a few outdoor enthusiasts on the mountain.  There was almost no sunshine during our hike, and it's been raining lightly so far this afternoon.  It's cold enough for the Organ Mountains to get more snow, but the extent of wintry precipitation won't be evident until the sun makes a reappearance--perhaps not until tomorrow.

Hiking on a chilly morning

A very wet northern Chihuahuan Desert

Same scene different yucca

Some snow still left on the Organ Mountains

Not much sun this morning

Zooming in on that scene

Far point of the hike

Turning back toward Tortugas now

Slightly north of the Crosscut Trail

Northern flank of Tortugas Mountain