Sad to Leave the High Country

Looking ominous as we approach the cut

We packed up this morning before a 80-minute trek on the Grand View Trail.  We got sprinkled on several times during our hike, but we finished up just prior to the heavier stuff coming down.  Then, unfortunately, we had to head out of the Sacramento Mountains on our return trip to the low desert.  We had a good time during our six days in the high country, and we're looking forward to getting back up there as soon as possible.

Tularosa Basin

How to decorate a Christmas tree:  Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

Closeup of Beargrass (Nolina macrocarpa)

View from the midway ramada

Eventually we'd get sprinkled upon

Another view of the Tularosa Basin

Keeping an eye on those clouds

The long view

White Sands in the distance

Long way down

What does Becca see?

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Same flycatcher

How the Sacramento Mountains looked early this morning

Tree

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee