Another Long Hot Slog

Heading behind Tortugas

Dr. K and I did an extra-long trek out of the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain this morning, wrapping around the back on the outer loop trail and then heading west on the far outer loop trail until we reached the brink of a hill that drops down to one of the major arroyos on the sunset side.  We made plenty of stops for ash sprinkling and water drinking along the way.

There were quite a few other outdoor enthusiasts on and about the mountain, and we ran into five of them, the last a woman runner with a beautiful white Standard Poodle who stopped briefly to greet us.

The weather was hot, with sun and high humidity, and neither Dr. K nor I had felt that uncomfortable in a long while, although my hike last Saturday came close.  Both she and I were happy to return to Whitey the CR-V and crank up the air conditioning for the drive home.

This and the next:  about to turn west

Yuccas and Sotols

The way we just came

Sotol and White-winged Dove

Closer look

This and the next:  view from the cave

Outside the cave looking south

The far point of our hike today

This and the next:  Fishhook Barrel Cactus buds becoming blossoms