A Good Long Hike

Hairy False Goldenaster puffballs

Willow, Frio and I replicated yesterday's hike, but today we added another long leg that took us along the road Becca and I explored often over the years.  The road was so overgrown with grass and weeds, though, that it was hard to recognize.

We followed that road all the way to the southernmost dirt road that leads to the west face of Tortugas Mountain, turned west and trekked back to LDR, which we hiked all the way back into the upper flatland and our waiting CR-V.

It was a tad hot out there today--we're headed for a high of 87F--so I was wise to bring the daypack along with two water bottles for the Heelers and me.

Huge tree near Tellbrook Arroyo

Wide arroyo that drains the southwest side of Tortugas Mt.

Familiar Soaptree Yucca

This & next:  Frio and Willow

Wide arroyo

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

This & next 2:  Organ Mountains

Small rock with a nearly perfect heart-shaped bit of quartz