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| On the first plateau |
Dr. K and I got started on a hike in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument at 7:45 this morning, and we varied our route on the Sierra Vista Trail (Norte) by following the long loop just before Black Mountain clockwise until it reconnected with the main trail. That particular loop is a little over 3 miles, and we were out there for about 2 hours and 20 minutes, during which we had encounters with one mountain biker, one runner and one hiker.
Our most interesting encounter, though, happened just after we began our trek; we met a friendly young woman hiking with a beautiful white dog. She said the dog was a Husky/German Shepherd mix, and the only different coloration on its coat was a small black patch near its left haunch. We talked to the woman for 10 or 15 minutes, and we got to pet her female pup several times.
On our drive out of the parking area we noted the license plates on several of the RVs occupying various sites in the campground: 2 from Alaska, one from Colorado, one from Louisiana and another from Connecticut. Those campers had to be enjoying the Chihuahuan Desert weather; it was 65F and mostly sunny.
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| This section of the national monument is full of Barrel Cacti |
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| This and the next 3: various views of the Organ Mountains |
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| This and the next 2: Sotols |
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| This and the next: area watered by the arroyo out of the Organs |
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| This and the next: sections of the 3-mile loop trail west of the mountains |
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| Say's Phoebe |
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| Three-part Barrel Cactus |
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| "Coyotes Belong" decal affixed to trail marker |
1 comment:
There are so many barrel cacti on this trail--I wonder why? I especially like your last photo of the 3-headed barrel.
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