Less Crowded

Northwest

Dr. K, Willow and I followed the regular route this morning seeing nobody out and about in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.  We did encounter two guys we've seen often hiking on the upper flatland road just after we finished our trek; we all said hello.  After the outing we took a drive around several different neighborhoods before heading home.  It was chilly out there today due to a cold breeze, but the sun shone brightly the entire way.

This & next:  San Augustin Peak (7031 feet)

Wils and her shadow

Looking northward along the right branch arroyo

Desert between right branch arroyo and Tortugas Mountain

 

Warm-Up

Flank of Tortugas and the Organs

Although a bit cold, this morning's hike was quite pleasant.  Dr. K and Willow both agreed that conditions seem to be warming up.  We followed our regular route seeing at least three other nature lovers with their dogs--all at a great distance from us.  Temperatures are supposed to rise during the course of this weekend and next week.

Willow on lead

Ladder-backed Woodpecker at the tippy top of a yucca

Ocotillo

Dr. K and Willow

Willow off lead

This & next:  ancient Soaptree Yucca

From the middle branch arroyo

Tortugas and the Organs

 

Rather Raw

Willow leading the way east along the cross trail

Had it not been for the persistent cold breeze that, at times, blustered along all branches of our regular route, the morning trek would have been quite pleasant for Dr. K, Willow and me.  Alas, though, the weather conditions did not cooperate.  We were all--perhaps a bit less so for Willow--happy to end the hike today. 

Organ Mountains

Faxon Yuccas on a ridge

What's with the posture?

Old and new

Willow seeing something

Soaptree Yucca west of the Organs

This & next:  small, tilted barrel cactus

Willow spotting something ahead

 

Sunny and Cold

Start of hike

It was cold during our morning hike, but sunny; the cold breeze that arose sporadically was not a concern because it didn't endure.  Dr. K, Willow and I followed our regular route seeing no other nature enthusiasts until we were finished with the daily trek.  Atop the steep hill west of the right branch arroyo we watched the black side-by-side descend LDR and, eventually, head west down the Tellbrook Arroyo.  After we reached home I got ready and left for my weekly shopping excursion to Albertsons.

This & next:  view east from LDR-A

This & next 3:  Organ Mountains

This & next:  Willow the beauty

Desert in winter

 

Ridge west of the Organ Mountains

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organs

Frosty Morning

The long view from LDR-A arroyo

27F when Dr. K, Willow and I started our hike this morning; fortunately the sun was shining brightly.  A pesky cold breeze rose later during the trek, but we were nearly finished by then.  Lots of ice on the CR-V windows at home, and lots of frost on desert plants.  We saw no other hearty nature enthusiasts while we followed our regular route today.

Frosted creosote

From the east/west cross trail

Willow leads the way

Odd foggy/smoggy cloud

Willow takes a break

View from the left branch toward the Organs

Branch hairs stand on end

Frosted prickly pear with bush garnish

Frosted hedgehog cactus with prickly pear pal

 

Snow Daze

Willow and Dr. K

It snowed quite heavily before we left for our hike this morning; although very little stuck to the ground in the lower elevations the white blanket on the Organs was impressive.  We had to cut the trek short due to a brutally cold wind, but, after gassing up at our local Circle K, we drove around to get some good pics of the snowy mountains.

Tortugas and the Organs from the steep hill ridge

Yucca and fallen ocotillo

View from the western entrance to OMDPNM

Road to Dripping Springs

The rest:  snowy Organ Mountains