Ancillary Arroyo

Rugged foothills west of Tortugas Mountain

Becca and I explored a tributary arroyo that branches off from one of the main ones west of Tortugas Mountain.  We have in the past crossed the section of this arroyo where it branches into a third, but had never hiked along its course heading east toward the mountain. We saw some interesting animal tracks in the sand, but we spotted no desert denizen responsible for making them.  Bumped into JC and Olivia back down near the trailhead and talked with them for a bit.  It was pretty crowded around the mountain this morning owing to the Presidents Day holiday.

What desert dogs do

The track at right seems too sharp to be Javelina

Becca in an arroyo we've not explored before

Young Barrel Cactus

Yucca support group

The Barrel Cactus in foreground looks in bad shape

Wild Rhubarb beginning to blossom

Wild Rhubarb (aka "Canaigre Dock")

Wild Rhubarb (Rumex hymenosepalus)

Fire ring west of Tortugas

Hedgehog Cacti, Prickly Pear, Ocotillo et al.

Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren warbling for a mate

Careful where you put your feet