A Mile More

That erect black tail means Jack is ready to haul arse

I waited until 9 a.m. to get on the trail west of Tortugas Mountain, hoping the abundant sunshine would more than compensate for the cold temperature and strong wind; it almost did, but 28F with stiff gusts still feels pretty chilly.

Because I intentionally bushwhacked through swales and valleys to avoid the wind I was able to stay out of the harshest conditions most of the time.  But having to climb out of those depressions to crest several different ridges exposed me to the elements, and by the time I was a mile away from getting back to Whitey the CR-V I realized I had probably--contrary to my intentions--trekked 5,280 feet too far this morning.

Had my physical stamina been back to normal I wouldn't think twice about the difficulty of such an endeavor, but I'm probably at or around 70% right now.

West of Tortugas

At center is one of the tallest Soaptree Yuccas I've seen: well over 20'

Typical Chihuahuan Desert flora

Old-timey look

Tortugas Mountain Observatory

Creosote bushes, Soaptree Yuccas and Ocotillos

This and the next: fallen Torrey Yucca trunk with new growth

This and the next 2:  Hedgehog Cactus and tall Ocotillo in an arroyo

Looking the opposite direction in the same arroyo

Arroyos are fun to explore because of all the animal prints

This and the last:  Ocotillo and shadow west of Tortugas Mountain