Tortugas GPS

Partial GPS track of our morning hike

Becca and I headed out early for a morning trek west of Tortugas Mountain.  The weather was a bit chilly at the start (31F), but quickly warmed up during our hike.  We're headed for a high of 70F.  Wish we could keep these conditions year round:  cold in the early morning, pleasantly warm by afternoon.  Not to be, though; time runs inexorably on, and soon we'll be complaining about the searingly hot days of summer in the Chihuahuan Desert.  Looking forward to springtime, however, when all the glorious cacti will be flowering once again.  Today we saw several other outdoor enthusiasts on and about the mountain--a larger number than is usual for a Monday.  Can't blame people for wanting to get out into the natural world to appreciate the wonderful day.

Morning moon

Inadvertently caught a guy trekking up the mountain (top right quadrant)

Desert Cottontail says . . .

"Time for a little shuteye"

That trail up the mountain

Two-yucca view

Rugged stretch

Two views of the same Ocotillo

#2

This and the next 3:  House Finches on yuccas

Leader of the pack

Before heading around the horseshoe

Getting ahead of the pack

Becca and tall Torrey Yucca

Moon between yucca sabers

Mormon Tea budding out

Not the beverage of choice for desert rats