Cold Was No Deterrent

Torrey Yucca and mesas

24F this morning when Becca and I hit the trail west of Tortugas.  We encountered a group of people hiking with a small white dog almost immediately.  The area on and about the mountain was far more crowded than I anticipated given the frigid weather conditions; but a large number of hearty outdoor enthusiasts had decided to endure the elements.  It wasn't that difficult after all; despite an intermittent breeze the sun shone brightly, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Therefore Becca and I decided to extend our normal Saturday trek by several miles, heading into the outback to do some exploring.  It was well worth expending the extra energy.  On the way in we saw several workers setting up Porta Potties for the Our Lady of Guadalupe ceremony that sees pilgrims hiking to the top of Tortugas Mountain on Monday morning.

At the northern end of the Crosscut Trail

Lots of animals have visited this arroyo

Comparing pointy objects (Cactus Wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

Becca at the far end of the Crosscut Trail

Hedgehog Cactus and Soaptree Yucca growing side by side

The vast Chihuahuan Desert

Two-headed Torrey Yucca and the Organ Mountains

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Far west of the mountain

Yucca forest

Same yucca forest

From a distance it looked like a raptor not a bird's nest

A few weeks ago these Ocotillos had all their leaves

Unloading a crapload of crappers