Over to the Far Side

Clouds and crazy contrails this morning

Although there were a few vehicles in the Sunset Area parking lot when we drove by early this morning there was nobody on the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain.  The lot was empty when we started our trek, and it was empty when we returned.  In the interim period we saw absolutely no one out in the desert.  It was another cold start to the day, and it felt even colder when we swung around to the south side of the mountain where the wind was periodically quite strong.  I kept our hike down to an hour because Becca and I had gone a little further yesterday, and I didn't want to put excess mileage on her paws.  She seemed to hold up well, though, and if I were to suggest we do another hike this afternoon she'd be all for it.

3 views of the sun trying to break through

#2

#3

East side of Tortugas Mountain

Organ Mountains

Southeast side of the mountain

Organs again

Becca behind the mountain

Wild sky

Crossing a plateau #1

#2

#3

Looking back at the way we came

Becca leading the way forward

About to drop down into the low desert

This and the next 3:  Organ Mountains

Becca waiting for me

Nearly all blue skies now