Monte Vista Camping

Getting started out of the Monte Vista area

When Becca and I got to the Monte Vista section of the Tortugas Mountain Recreation Area this morning there was a large RV parked in the lot, its awning lowered to block the rays from the rising sun.  No camping is permitted on the eastern nor western sides of the mountain, but I can imagine a scenario whereby RVers end up there.  If you're coming in late at night, traveling along the very dark Dripping Springs Road in search of the Sierra Vista camping site at Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument you might mistakenly pull into the Monte Vista section of the recreation area hoping you've reached your destination.  Being tired and not relishing the idea of driving several miles more to the actual campsite you might just decide to stay put for the night.

After Becca and I finished our moderately long trek on the south side of the mountain this morning we returned to see the RV captain walking around the parking lot with a cup of coffee in hand seemingly unconcerned about moving on to a legally designated camping area.

We saw a few other outdoor enthusiasts on the east side of the mountain, but the parking lot in the Sunset Area was absolutely packed with vehicles as we passed by headed for home.  Can't blame people for getting out to enjoy the absolutely perfect spring weather.

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)

Is this my better side?

The 500-yard critter stare

Becca spotted two young Mule Deer bucks speeding through the desert

A little better look at one

Still scoping out the territory

Stand of blooming yuccas on the plateau

Time for a break

Cactus Wren in a Torrey Yucca

Still blooming everywhere

I've tried to be judicious in posting my flowering yucca images

Hard to resist the temptation, though

Yucca and the Organ Mountains

She's got that critter stare going on again

The Organ Mountains

Steep northern slope

Yuccas flowering on the rocky slope

Desert Cottontail on a railroad tie