Monday Morn

Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Becca and I got a very early start on the west side of Tortugas Mountain, but there were already a few vehicles in the Sunset Area parking lot when we got there.We hiked on the foothills trail to the upper foothills, and then we started down the trail to the lower desert.  Almost immediately we began bushwhacking toward the northwest, but it soon became obvious to me that we wouldn't get far in that direction.  A forest of Catclaw Acacia bushes grew directly in front of us forcing a turnaround.  It was OK, though, because I got a few decent images of some of the flora growing along the gentle slope.  We saw several people out and about early on, notably a guy named Pete, who is one of the most dedicated runners I've ever seen in our section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. 

Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus (3' by 2 1/2')

Becca beginning a bushwhack

Not looking very enthused

Torrey Yucca

Prickly Pear Cactus

Same Prickly Pear

West side of the mountain

Torrey Yucca along a deep gully

Three similar view of Tortugas Mountain's west side

Small Soaptree Yucca