Visiting an Old Friend

In the rugged foothills of Tortugas Mountain

Becca and I did a little bushwhacking in the desert just west of Tortugas Mountain this morning, making a point of visiting what is, perhaps, the tallest Soaptree Yucca in our part of the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  It's so tall it somewhat resembles a palm tree, but the trunk is covered by old dead leaves that have wilted downward as the plant grew upward.  It's an awesome specimen that has reached an astonishing 20 feet (at least).  

Leading the way

A plant appropriately called "Allthorn" (Koeberlinia spinosa)

Allthorn

The wary eye

Devil's Head (Echinocactus horizonthalonius) just off the trail

Deep arroyo on Tortugas's west side

A little hazy in the valley

Bushwhacking northwest of the mountain

Bird in a yucca

Said yucca

Perhaps the tallest Soaptree Yucca in our part of the Chihuahuan Desert

Probably at least 20 feet tall

Sighting up the trunk

Becca and the Soaptree Yucca

From a distance