Almost Brutal Trek

Snow sky

30F when Willow and I started off this morning, the raw conditions made nearly unbearable by a strong, cold wind.  The Organ Mountains already wore a dusting of now, and more was obviously on the way.

We had to abbreviate the hike due to the cold, opting to cut out the last half of the left branch arroyo and middle branch in favor of heading straight up the right side.  Who could have known it would be like trekking through a wind tunnel?  The right branch arroyo is usually sheltered from heavy gusts.

Both Willow and I were more than happy to jump back into the CR-V and crank up the heater for the short drive home.

Willow heading down LDR-A

Ridge just east of LDR-A

Tortugas and the Organs

Yucca and snow sky

Little Wils

Yuccas and the Organs

Willow checking for critters

This & next:  ridge west of the slightly snowy Organs

More of the snow sky

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

More snow coming in