Late Bloomers

Good reason to get an early start

It was a bit warmer when Becca and I hit the trail west of Tortugas Mountain this morning:  54F.  We're headed for a high of 77F.  The humidity seems to be increasing due to the advance flow from Hurricane Sergio, which is approaching Baja California; the storm will track across Mexico and enter the American Southwest, delivering rain for us Friday and Friday night into Saturday.  We always welcome the rain here in the Chihuahuan Desert because we need as much as possible to ameliorate the effects of prolonged drought.

Trail back to the Sunset parking lot

Along the flank of Tortugas Mountain

Slightly off trail

Edge of the desert

High foothills

Back in the lower desert

Looking south

Chihuahuan Desert mountains

Surveying her territory while heading northwest

Red desert

Sun struggling to break through

Road around the mountain

View from the trail back up the mountain

Say's Phoebe

Another look from the trail up the mountain

Carrying a heavy load

The old single-track

Amazing to find an Ocotillo just budding out