Shortening It Up

Ocotillos along a ridge

I decided to shorten the morning trek significantly this morning because of the heat.  We're headed for 101 or 102 Fahrenheit today, and it already felt pretty hot early on.  There was a constant breeze to provide evaporative cooling, but I'm not sure how well that works for Becca.  She seemed pretty hot after we'd hiked only a short distance so I didn't want to stress her out too much.  She had plenty of time to deposit her requisite amount of fecal matter on our abbreviated trek, and she enjoyed her time outside well enough.  I think we're supposed to reach 105F (40.5C) on Friday.  Just past mid-June and I'm sick of the heat already.

Sun at the base of an Ocotillo

Looking through one

Huge Ocotillo on the west side of Tortugas Mountain

More Ocotillos

Hot hiker

Looking down an Ocotillo branch

The trail back

Abandoned seismology shack

Only authorized vehicles are allowed to drive to the mountaintop

Shadow and light

Steep western slope of Tortugas Mountain

Weed shadows on a canteen-like rock

Abandoned experimental tower

Same tower and two abandoned towers in the low distance

A look at Centennial High School from a high vantage point

Abandoned tower

Bushes greening out from the rain