Saddle Up!

Trail between arroyo (left) and mountain (right)

Becca and I were back in the saddle again this morning, heading out for an early trek on the west side of Tortugas Mountain.  Although it was hot, a slight cooling breeze kept us from roasting right away; it got progressively more uncomfortable the longer we were out there, so I kept the hike short.

There were quite a few other people in the area, including a family in a van that stopped to ask me about the Tortugas Mountain Trail System; they were new to the region and wanted to know which section was best for their young kids.  I directed them to the Monte Vista side of the mountain because it's less confusing to start there if you intend on trekking around Tortugas.  Becca and I also had to stand aside early on to let five runners pass, high-school-aged guys who were pushing it hard.  This is the time of summer when more and more track team members use the environs to train for the upcoming season.

Despite the heat both Becca and I had a good time getting back out into the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

This and the next:  Curve-billed Thrasher

Yucca on right is where old Curved Bill is

There he is again

Headed this way for a short distance

Near Becca's shady break spot

There she is:  rear legs buried in sand

This and the next:  tall, old Ocotillo and its exposed root

West side of Tortugas

This and the next:  views through the Ocotillo at the observatory

#2

This and the next:  White-winged Dove on a Soaptree Yucca

James Rushpea

Bouquets of Desert Zinnia near Soaptree Yuccas