Memorial Day Mistake

Becca in yucca shadow

We knew it would be more crowded than usual on the Sunset Side of the mountain this morning, but Becca and I had no idea of how crowded it would be.  Within the first twenty minutes of our trek we ran into more people than ever before on a trail that is normally sparsely populated.  Of course when we got into the outback there were no people, but on the final leg of the hike we ran into more outdoor enthusiasts.  One thing I can say is it wasn't noisy around the mountain.  Generally when it's crowded kids are screaming at the top of their lungs for no good reason.

Closer look at Becca's shady respite

Sun through Soaptree Yucca

Don't want to think about it

West of Tortugas and the Organs

Soaptree Yuccas have been in bloom a long time

Surprised to find Velvety Nerisyrenia flowering

Soaptree Yucca fruit and flowers

Merry little yucca tree

Big Yucca Elata just off Geothermal Road

Ladderback Woodpecker

Easy to see the ladder on its back

Same woody

I never actually saw it eat the fruit

Just about ready to go

Hanger-on

Almost like a white rose on a thorny bush