Blustery Monday

This and the next 2:  west of Tortugas Mountain

Did a long trek west of Tortugas Mountain before the wind picked up too much this morning; forecast calls for high winds with strong gusts later this afternoon.  Saw no large animals during my hike, with the exception of a few humans back near the mountain.

One human I encountered was my buddy Jimmy who was just starting off on his morning adventure.  We stood chatting for a long time while a series of couples beginning or ending their outings passed by.

The wind really got started a little after noon, and it's been blowing hard ever since.  This is the kind of desert weather you'd prefer to avoid if possible.

Following the flank trail

That lenticular cloud on the low horizon means high winds ahead

View to the southwest

Tortugas and the Organs

Gnarly old Ocotillo

Outer loop road

Crazy clouds

Starting back

Trail back to the trailhead