Good Start

Ocotillos on a ridge

Becca and I got a fairly early start on the west side of Tortugas Mountain this morning.  We were pleased to see the sky filled with a good number of clouds which kept the heat down noticeably.  We ran into several other people during our peregrinations, outdoor enthusiasts taking advantage of the cooler air.  Despite the lower temperature I cut the hike a bit short so I could get back, shower and head out to Target and Albertsons to do the weekly shopping a day earlier than usual; the reason will become apparent later.

Sunlight through a yucca

Closer look at that sun

Completely different sky to the west

You can follow this trail to the mountaintop

Paper cutout mountains

Hedgehog Cactus

Getting ahead

Our Lady Mountains

How did this get here?

The true leader of the pack

Bishop Cap

Gap between New Mexico (left) and Texas

Flank of Tortugas Mountain and the Organ Mountains

La flor

Part of Las Cruces, New Mexico

Rocks

Trail along the western foothills

A young Roadrunner photographed through a window