Reverse Hike with Willow

From the hill west of the right branch arroyo

Just before Willow and I parked at the trailhead this morning I saw the Basset people and their hounds starting down LDR-A.  That necessitated us climbing the ridge along the hill to the east and making the steep descent into the right branch arroyo.

From there it was a matter of doing our entire hike in reverse today, which worked out just fine.  Willow was very obedient and never strayed too far away from the route, despite her curiosity.

We got down to 27F overnight, and it hadn't warmed up very much for our outing; a slight breeze made it feel even colder.  We would have welcomed abundant sunlight, but the sun appeared only sporadically while we were trekking through the desert.

Doña Ana Mountains

Another shot from the hill west of the right branch arroyo

Right branch arroyo from midway down the hill

This & next:  ocotillo west of the right branch arroyo

Willow heading down the right branch

Barrel cactus fruit

Barrel cactus wants to be a saguaro when it grows up

Soaptree, mountains and the sky

Ridge west of the Organs

Sky over the mountains

Barrel cactus fruit

Sky to the southwest

This & next:  Willow on alert

Clouds over the Organ Mountains