East Side Start

Just came around this first bend

Becca and I got an early start on the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain this morning, and the only vehicle in the parking lot--a black truck--was being driven out by its owner.  We did almost immediately upon reaching the upper section of the loop trail run into a woman and man jogging with their exhausted dog.  Their canine was too tired to show any interest in Becca, and we all passed without incident.  The weather was cloudy and cool with a significant breeze--just the kind of excellent conditions you want when beginning a hike in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  Although we saw several mountain bikers behind the mountain we never bumped into them, but we did encounter a woman biker when we were almost finished with our trek.  As usual, Becca stepped off the trail, dropped down into her herding posture and stood up as soon as the woman had passed.

Yuccas growing on the steep slope

Part of Tortugas from the southeast

With tail down, what is she anticipating?

Cactus Wren in a yucca

Cactus Wren is at the top of the middle yucca

Worried Cactus Wren?

The trail we just followed

A more distant look at the mountain

Heading down a trail northeast of the Organ Mountains

Almost ready to open up

A different Barrel Cactus

Becca spots a mountain biker heading our way

Two roads diverged in the Chihuahuan Desert

A look at Tortugas Mountain from the east side

Odd clouds over the mountain

A closer look at that split