Sierra Vista South OMDPNM

First plateau, OMDPNM

Dr. K, Becca and I went out to Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument this Sunday morning in order to get in a longer hike.  There were a surprisingly large number of campers in the campground--tents and RVs--and the license plates on vehicles showed a wide range of visitors from the Desert Southwest and western states:  Texas, Arizona, California, Montana and Washington.  We had to leave Whitey the CR-V in the lower lot because two big rigs parked in the upper lot had taken up most of the space.

Just as we were piling out of the car we encountered three hikers and two dogs finishing up their trek, but, with the exception of seeing a mountain biker and two runners over on the main trail we bumped into no one else.  The weather was a bit strange--cloudy and cool with a light breeze for the duration of our outing.  Nevertheless, it didn't feel particularly chilly, though we didn't feel the need to peel off any outerwear.  Despite being a bit fatigued from losing an hour's sleep overnight, thanks to Daylight Saving Time, a good time was had by all.

Heading south on the Sierra Vista Trail

This was the weather all during the hike

The best the sun could do

Organ Mountains

Here comes the happy hiker

A smile on her face

This is fun

California Poppy

Yellow Desert Evening Primrose

Fendler's Bladderpod

The Don King of Barrel Cacti

Dead Hedgehog Cactus

Tiny flowers not yet in bloom

Barrel Cacti Row

Purple Phacelia

Purple Prairie Verbena (Glandularia Bipinnatifida)

Looking down at a Barrel Cactus

Organs again

3-foot tall Barrel Cactus

More Barrels

Becca loving the morning trek

Ocotillo and more Barrel Cacti

Dangerous patch of yuccas

OMDPNM sign

Fendler's Bladderpod

Another sign