Uncrowded Trail

Just getting started on the Sierra Vista Trail

Dr. K felt a little washed out this morning so Becca and I headed up to the upper section of the Sierra Vista Trail in OMDPNM.  During a nearly two-hour hike we encountered only one mountain biker.  Even when we got back to the parking area there was only our car in the lot.  Don't want to seem overly antisocial, but that's the way we like it.  It was windy when we left home early, but there wasn't a breath of wind in the high country, and the bright sunlight forced me to remove by vest and lightweight Marmot jacket about halfway through the trek.  A perfect day in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Tree

South to Bishop Cap

Looking back at the way we just came

White-crowned Sparrow (drybrushed)

Further along the trail

I'm thinking Sagebrush Sparrow

Sign

Sotol

This and the next:  same populous Prickly Pear patch

Different perspective

No plant pilfering

Yet another sign

And another

Mountain biker on the Sierra Vista Trail

Another sign

One in every three sparrows is contentious

Sparrow tree

Organ Mountains

Really poor photo of what I believe is a Western Meadowlark

Rugged mountains

Sotols, an Ocotillo and the rugged Organ Mountains

Becca on break

Contrails above the mountains

Becca waits in the Dogmobile